Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in May
May at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 46°F, with about 2.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.5× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 46°F
- Average high
- 76°F
Range across the year: 14°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 2.2 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 720 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2010 to 2025.
That makes May the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.6×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 49/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 61°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 13.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 38% 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 14.1 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 6,401 recreation visits, up 9.3% from 5,855 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 11.4%, 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 | 65°F / 35°F | 0.9× Average | 52 Fair |
| May | 76°F / 46°F | 1.5× Busy | 49 Fair |
| June | 87°F / 57°F | 1.6× Very busy | 46 Fair |
All twelve months at Sand Creek Massacre, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Sand Creek Massacre in May
The National Park Service tags 4 Sand Creek Massacre activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Be a Sand Creek B.A.R.K. Ranger · 5-15 minutes
- Hike the Monument Hill Trail
- Sand Creek Ranger Talk · 30-40 minutes
- The Bluff Trail
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 46°F at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, with about 2.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 13.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site (about 1.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 49/100. 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 1,000 recreation visits at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2010–2025.
Where to stay near Sand Creek Massacre in May
Booking a May trip to Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Sand Creek Massacre
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 (2010–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.