Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in May
May at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument averages a daytime high near 70°F and an overnight low around 34°F, with about 0.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 34°F
- Average high
- 70°F
Range across the year: 12°F to 84°F
- Precipitation
- 0.7 in
- Daylight
- 13.9 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 13,000 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 (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 46/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 52°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 1.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 34% 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 13.9 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 73,260 recreation visits, down 10.1% from 81,519 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 31.8%, 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 | 61°F / 27°F | 1.3× Busy | 26 Poor |
| May | 70°F / 34°F | 1.3× Busy | 46 Fair |
| June | 82°F / 42°F | 1.4× Busy | 53 Fair |
All twelve months at Sunset Crater Volcano, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 70°F and an overnight low around 34°F at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, with about 0.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 46/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 13,000 recreation visits at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano in May
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Top-rated places to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano
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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.