Walnut Canyon National Monument in May
May at Walnut Canyon National Monument averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 40°F, with about 0.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 40°F
- Average high
- 71°F
Range across the year: 20°F to 86°F
- Precipitation
- 0.6 in
- Daylight
- 13.8 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 16,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the April peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 53/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is August: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 56°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 0.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 27% 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 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 187,205 recreation visits, up 22.7% from 152,548 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 14.2%, so a May visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 62°F / 34°F | 1.5× Busy | 20 Poor |
| May | 71°F / 40°F | 1.2× Busy | 53 Fair |
| June | 82°F / 51°F | 1.1× Average | 67 Good |
All twelve months at Walnut Canyon, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 40°F at Walnut Canyon National Monument, with about 0.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Walnut Canyon National Monument (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 53/100. Our recommended month is August.
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 16,000 recreation visits at Walnut Canyon National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Walnut Canyon in May
Booking a May trip to Walnut Canyon National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Walnut Canyon
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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.