Yosemite National Park in May
May at Yosemite National Park averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 45°F, with about 1.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 45°F
- Average high
- 71°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 89°F
- Precipitation
- 1.9 in
- Daylight
- 14.0 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 403,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.7×) and the January low (0.4×).
May is our recommended month at Yosemite: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 58°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 7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 42% 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 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.4-hour midwinter low and the 14.6-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,278,413 recreation visits, up 3.8% from 4,121,807 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 12.3%, 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 | 63°F / 38°F | 0.8× Quiet | 57 Fair |
| May | 71°F / 45°F | 1.2× Busy | 58 Fair |
| June | 81°F / 51°F | 1.6× Busy | 59 Fair |
All twelve months at Yosemite, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Yosemite 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.
- Bridalveil Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (August 14, 2026 to July 3, 2027)
- Bridalveil Creek Horse Camp (campground): closed all month (September 7, 2026 to July 3, 2027)
- Yosemite Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (September 7, 2026 to July 1, 2027)
- White Wolf Campground (campground): closed all month (September 14, 2026 to July 2, 2027)
- Tuolumne Meadows Horse Camp (campground): closed all month (September 27, 2026 to July 15, 2027)
- Tuolumne Meadows Campground (campground): closed all month (September 28, 2026 to July 1, 2027)
- Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 29, 2026 to June 5, 2027)
- Crane Flat Campground (campground): closed until May 21, 2027
- Porcupine Flat Campground (campground): closed all month (October 11, 2026 to June 23, 2027)
- Wawona Horse Camp (campground): closed until May 1, 2027
- Tamarack Flat Campground (campground): closed all month (October 13, 2026 to June 22, 2027)
- Big Oak Flat Information Station (visitor center): closed all month (October 26, 2026 to May 31, 2027)
Things to do at Yosemite in May
The National Park Service tags 4 Yosemite activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Ride a Bike in Yosemite Valley · 1-6 hours · reservation required
- Become a Yosemite Junior Ranger
- Visit the Yosemite Cemetery · 10-60 minutes
- Visit the Yosemite Museum · 30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 45°F at Yosemite National Park, with about 1.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Yosemite National Park (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 58/100. May is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July 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 403,000 recreation visits at Yosemite National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Yosemite in May
Booking a May trip to Yosemite National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Yosemite
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Visiting Yosemite in May?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Yosemite by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.