Monthly Guide

Best National Parks in May

May is one of the best months in the entire park system. Weather warms across the lower 48, high-elevation roads start opening, and summer crowds haven't fully arrived. It's the last good window for desert parks before the heat, and the first good window for mountain parks. Waterfalls from snowmelt are at their peak in Yosemite and the Cascades.

Top 10 Parks for May

Ranked by our monthly visit score — a blend of weather comfort, crowd levels, and park accessibility.

#1A cloud-filled volcanic crater at sunrise with a mountain rising behind

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

HI

Moderate Crowds

Light crowds and minimal rain. Warm but not hot. Mauna Loa Summit Trail sees ideal conditions before summer.

#2Yellow flowers in foreground extending out along a rocky coastline to a natural arch.

Channel Islands

CA

ComfortableHidden Gem

Best weather window. Calm seas, wildflowers still showing, and comfortable temps make this the ideal island-hopping month.

#3A steep granite slope leads from forest to a bare alpine landscape

Sequoia & Kings Canyons

CA

Comfortable

Peak wildflower season before summer heat. High country opens late month. Best weather of the year with manageable crowds.

#4the Little Missouri River under blue skies

Theodore Roosevelt

ND

BusyHidden Gem

Peak wildflowers and newborn bison. Comfortable weather before summer heat. This is the best month—expect moderate crowds.

#5Bristlecone pine tree with a dark blue sky behind it with a bright Jupiter shining

Great Basin

NV

Room to BreatheHidden GemDark Sky

Peak conditions: warm days, clear trails, and bristlecone pines in full green. The scenic drive opens, and crowds remain manageable.

#6The yellow mounds are peaking out of the formations in this photo.

Badlands

SD

Busy

Peak conditions. Mid-70s, prairie blooms, and moderate crowds. The best balance of weather and accessibility all year.

#7Black Canyon near Painted Wall

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison

CO

Moderate CrowdsHidden Gem

Warm days, cool nights, and blooming scrubland. Crowds pick up on weekends, but midweek mornings stay quiet.

#8Girls Sand Sledding

Great Sand Dunes & Preserve

CO

Moderate CrowdsHidden GemDark Sky

Warm days, cool nights. Medano Creek still flows. Crowds increase but comfort peaks before June's heat makes sand scorching.

#9Winter sunrise on snow-covered Teton Range

Grand Teton

WY

Busy

Best month: wildflowers peak, trails open, animals active. Moderate crowds, mild weather. High 68°F.

#10Upper Yosemite Fall and Merced River in spring

Yosemite

CA

Comfortable

Peak waterfall flow as snowmelt floods every drainage. Tioga Road opens by month's end, and dogwoods bloom before summer crowds arrive.

Parks to Skip in May

These parks score lowest for May — typically due to harsh weather, road closures, or inaccessibility.

Death Valley Uncomfortably hot at 104°F. Heat limits hiking to early morning hours only.
Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve Cold and limited at 38°F. Winter conditions restrict access.
Kobuk Valley Cold and limited at 42°F. Winter conditions restrict access.
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve Wet conditions with 14 days of rain. Trails can be muddy or flooded.
Joshua Tree Uncomfortably hot at 99°F. Heat limits hiking to early morning hours only.