Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve in May
May at Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 42°F, with about 2.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.5× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 42°F
- Average high
- 76°F
Range across the year: 33°F to 94°F
- Precipitation
- 2.1 in
- Daylight
- 14.4 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 7,400 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.4×) and the January low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 61/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 59°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 12.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 53% 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 14.4 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.9-hour midwinter low and the 15.1-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 64,354 recreation visits, down 31.5% from 94,016 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 67°F / 37°F | 0.7× Quiet | 63 Good |
| May | 76°F / 42°F | 1.5× Busy | 61 Good |
| June | 84°F / 47°F | 1.9× Very busy | 62 Good |
All twelve months at Oregon Caves, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 42°F at Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve, with about 2.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve (about 1.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 61/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.5× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 7,000 recreation visits at Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Oregon Caves in May
Booking a May trip to Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Oregon Caves
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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.