Yellowstone National Park in May
Yellowstone National Park · crowd + weather almanac
May crowd level
moderate
about 451,000 visits in a
typical May
The 5th-busiest month of the year ·
median of 2016–2025 official NPS counts
May is the 5th-busiest month of the year at Yellowstone National Park: about 451,000 recreation visits in a typical May (10% of the year's traffic, and 47% of what the peak month, July, sees). Crowds are middling — noticeably lighter than peak season. Weather-wise, May days at the Yellowstone Park Mammoth, WY station typically top out around 60°F with nights near 35°F, and about 1.8 inches of precipitation falls over the month. The station's long-term normal includes about 2 inches of May snowfall.
- Typical May: 450,568 recreation visits (median 2016–2025); the range across those years ran 46,219 (2020) to 566,363 (2025).
- Busier than 7 of the other 11 months.
- 1991–2020 May normals at Yellowstone Park Mammoth, WY: high 60°F, low 35°F, 1.82 in precipitation, 1.7 in snow.
- Similar daytime temperatures, thinner crowds: October typically runs 54°F days with about 40% fewer visits (271,000 vs 451,000).
May weather (1991–2020 normals)
| Typical daytime high | 60°F |
|---|---|
| Typical overnight low | 35°F |
| Precipitation (monthly normal) | 1.82 in |
| Snowfall (monthly normal) | 1.7 in |
| Measured at | Yellowstone Park Mammoth, WY (USC00489905), 0.2 mi from the park reference point, elev. 6,195 ft |
Every month at Yellowstone
| Month | Typical visits | Crowds | High / Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34,617 | quietest stretch | 31°F / 12°F | 0.9 in |
| February | 39,388 | quietest stretch | 34°F / 12°F | 0.8 in |
| March | 31,280 | quietest stretch | 42°F / 19°F | 1.1 in |
| April | 63,380 | quietest stretch | 50°F / 26°F | 1.4 in |
| May | 450,568 | moderate | 60°F / 35°F | 1.8 in |
| June | 824,600 | busiest stretch | 70°F / 42°F | 1.9 in |
| July | 966,048 | busiest stretch | 81°F / 48°F | 1.3 in |
| August | 857,324 | busiest stretch | 80°F / 46°F | 1.1 in |
| September | 780,784 | busy | 69°F / 39°F | 1.2 in |
| October | 270,565 | quiet | 54°F / 29°F | 1.3 in |
| November | 20,621 | quietest stretch | 39°F / 19°F | 1.1 in |
| December | 29,526 | quietest stretch | 30°F / 12°F | 0.9 in |