Yellowstone National Park in May
May at Yellowstone National Park averages a daytime high near 51°F and an overnight low around 26°F, with about 2.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 26°F
- Average high
- 51°F
Range across the year: 1°F to 72°F
- Precipitation
- 2.4 in
- Daylight
- 14.6 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 467,000 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 July peak (2.7×) and the November low (0.1×).
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 38°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 61% 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 14.6 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.6-hour midwinter low and the 15.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,762,988 recreation visits, about flat from 4,744,353 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 7.5%, 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 | 41°F / 17°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 10 Poor |
| May | 51°F / 26°F | 1.3× Busy | 49 Fair |
| June | 61°F / 33°F | 2.3× Very busy | 39 Poor |
All twelve months at Yellowstone, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Yellowstone 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.
- Museum of the National Park Ranger (visitor center): closed all month (September 8, 2026 to June 11, 2027)
- Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum (visitor center): closed until May 30, 2027
- Bridge Bay Campground (campground): closed until May 14, 2027
- Indian Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (September 15, 2026 to June 11, 2027)
- Canyon Campground (campground): closed until May 28, 2027
- Grant Village Campground (campground): closed all month (September 27, 2026 to June 25, 2027)
- Tower Fall Campground (campground): closed until May 21, 2027
- Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum (visitor center): closed until May 16, 2027
- Grant Visitor Center (visitor center): closed until May 16, 2027
- Norris Geyser Basin Museum and Information Station (visitor center): closed until May 16, 2027
- West Thumb Information Station (visitor center): closed until May 16, 2027
- Lewis Lake Campground (campground): closed all month (October 12, 2026 to June 14, 2027)
- Slough Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (October 13, 2026 to June 14, 2027)
- Fishing Bridge RV Park (campground): closed until May 7, 2027
Things to do at Yellowstone in May
The National Park Service tags 18 Yellowstone activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Blacktail Deer Creek to Yellowstone River Trail · 4-5 hours
- Forces of the Northern Range Self-guided Trail · 30-60 minutes
- Harlequin Lake Trail · 30-60 minutes
- Norris Geyser Basin Trails · 30-90 minutes
- Beaver Ponds Trail · 2-5 hours
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone · 1-2 hours
- Mud Volcano Trail · 1-2 hours
- Trout Lake Trail · 1-2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 51°F and an overnight low around 26°F at Yellowstone National Park, with about 2.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Yellowstone National Park (about 1.3× 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 November. May sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 467,000 recreation visits at Yellowstone National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Yellowstone in May
Booking a May trip to Yellowstone National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Yellowstone
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Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.