Olympic National Park in May
May at Olympic National Park averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 43°F, with about 1.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 43°F
- Average high
- 63°F
Range across the year: 33°F to 75°F
- Precipitation
- 1.9 in
- Daylight
- 14.9 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 261,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the August peak (2.6×) and the December low (0.3×).
May is our recommended month at Olympic: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 53°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.1 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 50% of annual visitors, choosing May instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 14.9 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.2-hour midwinter low and the 15.8-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 3,584,187 recreation visits, down 3.6% from 3,717,267 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 56°F / 38°F | 0.5× Quiet | 63 Good |
| May | 63°F / 43°F | 1.0× Average | 67 Good |
| June | 67°F / 47°F | 1.4× Busy | 67 Good |
All twelve months at Olympic, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Olympic facilities as closed during May 2027. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- South Beach Campground (campground): closed until May 20, 2027
Things to do at Olympic in May
The National Park Service tags 7 Olympic activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Watch for Salmon at Salmon Cascades · 15-45 minutes
- Backpack in Olympic National Park · reservation required
- Go to the Beach
- See Madison Falls · 5-15 minutes
- Take a Pet-Friendly Hike
- Take a Short Hike Near the Visitor Center · 15-30 minutes
- Walk the Moments in Time Trail · 15-30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 43°F at Olympic National Park, with about 1.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Olympic National Park (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 67/100. May is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is August and the quietest is December. May sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 261,000 recreation visits at Olympic National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Olympic in May
Booking a May trip to Olympic National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Olympic
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Visiting Olympic in May?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Olympic by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.