Rocky Mountain National Park in May
May at Rocky Mountain National Park averages a daytime high near 61°F and an overnight low around 35°F, with about 2.3" of precipitation and roughly 10" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 35°F
- Average high
- 61°F
Range across the year: 16°F to 80°F
- Precipitation
- 2.3 in
- Snowfall
- 10 in
- Daylight
- 14.2 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 300,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.4×) and the February low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 49/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 48°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 52% 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 14.2 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.1-hour midwinter low and the 14.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,171,431 recreation visits, about flat from 4,154,349 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 52°F / 26°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 47 Fair |
| May | 61°F / 35°F | 0.8× Quiet | 49 Fair |
| June | 74°F / 43°F | 1.8× Very busy | 55 Fair |
All twelve months at Rocky Mountain, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Rocky Mountain 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.
- Sheep Lakes Information Station (visitor center): closed until May 9, 2027
- Aspenglen Campground (campground): closed until May 25, 2027
- Timber Creek Campground (campground): closed until May 25, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 61°F and an overnight low around 35°F at Rocky Mountain National Park, with about 2.3 inches of precipitation and roughly 10 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Rocky Mountain National Park (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 49/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. May sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 300,000 recreation visits at Rocky Mountain National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Rocky Mountain in May
Booking a May trip to Rocky Mountain National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Rocky Mountain
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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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.