Grand Canyon
Excellent rim weather and good inner-canyon conditions.
27 prime · 18 good · May
Best National Parks to Visit in May
May is the shoulder season sweet spot. Waterfalls peak in Yosemite, Yellowstone's roads open and wildlife babies appear, and the Southwest is still comfortable before the heat of summer. Alaska's season begins at the end of the month.
Top picks for May: Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Arches, Haleakalā, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes. Memorial Day weekend marks the start of peak season in the Rockies. Weekdays before it are noticeably calmer.
Prime in May (27)
Great Smoky Mountains
Wildflowers peak in April and May; the Smokies are known as the 'Wildflower National Park.' Synchronous fireflies appear in late May and June.
Arches
Ideal temperatures and the busiest time of year.
Haleakalā
Shoulder season with fewer crowds and generally clear skies.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Shoulder season, and a great time to visit.
Yosemite
Waterfalls peak in May and June as snow melts.
Cuyahoga Valley
Wildflowers along the trails and Brandywine Falls running high from snowmelt.
Bryce Canyon
Snow lingers into April.
Gateway Arch
Pleasant weather on the riverfront grounds.
Canyonlands
Great hiking weather in the Needles district.
Dry Tortugas
Excellent.
Hot Springs
Dogwoods and redbuds bloom on the mountain trails.
Virgin Islands
Excellent and less crowded, with calm seas.
New River Gorge
Rafting season begins with high water.
Capitol Reef
Fruit trees in the historic Fruita orchards bloom in April.
Shenandoah
Wildflowers and blooming trees in April and May.
Badlands
The prairie greens up and wildflowers bloom.
Carlsbad Caverns
The bats return to the cave in April and May, and the evening bat flight programs start.
Great Sand Dunes
Medano Creek flows at the base of the dunes, usually peaking from late May to early June.
Mammoth Cave
Wildflowers bloom on the surface trails and the Green River runs high.
Mesa Verde
Guided tours usually begin in spring.
Redwood
Rhododendrons bloom under the redwoods in May and June, and the coast turns green.
Wind Cave
Wildflowers bloom and bison calves appear on the prairie.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
The South Rim Road opens fully in spring.
Petrified Forest
Mild, but often windy.
Guadalupe Mountains
Good hiking weather between windy spells.
Congaree
Excellent for paddling.
Season opens in May
Redwood Opens
Yosemite Opens
Bryce Canyon Opens
Carlsbad Caverns Opens
Mesa Verde Opens
Great Sand Dunes Opens
Badlands Opens
Wind Cave Opens
Cuyahoga Valley Opens
New River Gorge Opens
Shenandoah Opens
Last chance in May
Arches Last call
Canyonlands Last call
Capitol Reef Last call
Grand Canyon Last call
Petrified Forest Last call
Guadalupe Mountains Last call
Dry Tortugas Last call
Congaree Last call
Gateway Arch Last call
Hot Springs Last call
Mammoth Cave Last call
Haleakalā Last call
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Last call
Virgin Islands Last call
Also good in May (18)
National Park of American Samoa
Rains taper off in April and May.
Acadia
Late arrival.
Biscayne
Still pleasant.
Channel Islands
The islands turn green, and giant coreopsis blooms bright yellow.
Kenai Fjords
Boat tours start in spring, with gray whale migration in March through May.
Kings Canyon
The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway usually opens to Cedar Grove in late spring, and the waterfalls run at full force.
Olympic
Rivers run high and the rainforest is lush.
Saguaro
Wildflowers in March and April.
Theodore Roosevelt
The badlands green up in May, wildflowers bloom and foals are born.
White Sands
Pleasant, but often very windy, with blowing sand.
Glacier Bay
May brings returning birds and the start of the cruise and tour season.
Grand Teton
Bears emerge with cubs in May and June, and wildlife watching is outstanding.
Indiana Dunes
Bird migration is excellent in April and May.
Joshua Tree
Peak season.
Pinnacles
The best season.
Sequoia
Waterfalls and wildflowers bloom in the foothills, but high elevations stay snowy into May.
Yellowstone
Most roads open between late April and May.
Zion
Waterfalls and green cottonwoods, but crowds build fast, and snowmelt often closes the Narrows.
May by region
Skip these in May
Gates of the Arctic, Katmai, Kobuk Valley. These parks are largely closed, snowbound or dangerously hot in May.
May questions
What are the best national parks to visit in May?
The top-rated national parks for May are Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Arches National Park, Haleakalā National Park, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. In total, 27 parks are rated prime and 18 more are rated good this month.
Which national parks are least crowded in May?
Haleakalā, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, Virgin Islands, Carlsbad Caverns, Redwood, Wind Cave are at their best in May without big crowds.
Which national parks should I avoid in May?
Gates of the Arctic, Katmai, Kobuk Valley are rated poor in May, usually because of closures, snow or extreme heat.
Is May a good time to visit national parks?
May is the shoulder season sweet spot. Memorial Day weekend marks the start of peak season in the Rockies. Weekdays before it are noticeably calmer.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026. Ratings are editorial. Rules and road openings change each year, so confirm on the official NPS site before you go.