Russell Cave National Monument in May
May at Russell Cave National Monument averages a daytime high near 78°F and an overnight low around 56°F, with about 4.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 56°F
- Average high
- 78°F
Range across the year: 29°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 4.2 in
- Daylight
- 13.8 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 1,800 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 April peak (1.4×) and the January low (0.5×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 58/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 67°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 0.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 30% 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 13.8 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.7-hour midwinter low and the 14.3-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 9,261 recreation visits, up 6.7% from 8,678 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 31.9%, so May may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 71°F / 46°F | 1.4× Busy | 36 Poor |
| May | 78°F / 56°F | 1.2× Busy | 58 Fair |
| June | 85°F / 64°F | 1.2× Busy | 51 Fair |
All twelve months at Russell Cave, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Russell Cave in May
The National Park Service tags 6 Russell Cave activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Russell Cave Junior Ranger · 1-2 hours
- Earn Your Russell Cave B.A.R.K Ranger Badge · 5-120 minutes
- Pack a Picnic and Make a Day of it
- Take a Hike on the Russell Cave Nature Trail · 30-60 minutes
- View the Russell Cave Film · 7 minutes
- View the Russell Cave Museum · 5-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 78°F and an overnight low around 56°F at Russell Cave National Monument, with about 4.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Russell Cave National Monument (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 58/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is April and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 2,000 recreation visits at Russell Cave National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Russell Cave in May
Booking a May trip to Russell Cave National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Russell Cave
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.