ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Yellowstone in May
Visiting Yellowstone in May brings a mixed bag of activities, weather, and seasonal shifts. The park isn’t 100% open for summer, but the winter days are long behind. You could face snow or a sunburn – or both. How do you plan for such a fluctuating month?
I gathered our team of forecasters, wilderness and wildlife experts, and our personal experiences in Wyoming to help you prepare for the perfect May trip to Yellowstone National Park. Our guides help you experience the best of every month without facing risks like being stuck in a snowbank or getting kicked by elk during the calving season!
Without burying the lead, you should know that May is a tough month in Yellowstone – the lull between winter and summer. Spring doesn’t really exist in Yellowstone, and you’re about to find out why!
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Yellowstone in May
3 Things to Know About Yellowstone National Park in May
- The entrance fees stay the same at Yellowstone through all four seasons – $35 per vehicle and $20 per person if you’re walking or biking in. The per-vehicle rate offers more value since it covers up to three adults and anyone under 16 years of age, but the America the Beautiful interagency pass covers most public lands for a full year at just $80.
- Check Yellowstone’s operating dates and openings often. Park rangers only open certain amenities and areas when the weather allows, and it’s safe (and fully staffed).
- Not all entrances or roads allow vehicles in May, with the opening days tiered throughout the month, as you can see in the map below. Also, don’t trust your road navigation tools. Use this list of coordinates to ensure you get to the right place. Carry a durable, waterproof map to help navigate.
Overview of Yellowstone in May
Much like November, Yellowstone in May easily divides into two sub-months – early May and late May. That goes for more than just the weather. Yellowstone National Park’s mini-seasons transition staff, amenities, trails, roads, and resorts between “summer” and “winter.” I put those words in quotes because we use those terms liberally, not just by the calendar. Sometimes, May is summer; other times, it’s winter. 🤷🏼♀️ Welcome to Wyoming!
Yellowstone Visitors in May
Nearly 470,000 people visit Yellowstone National Park in May, looking back at five years of data (and removing the 2020 pandemic year). That’s nearly seven times higher than the average April visitation, yet almost half of the crowds coming in June.
While normally we’d assume that number averages over the course of the month, May makes all the difference due to the Memorial Day weekend holiday and the most park access coming at the end of the month. Crowds will likely be low at Yellowstone in early May and medium to high in late May.
Getting Around Yellowstone in May
As part of that mini-season, those visiting Yellowstone in early May face roads closed to vehicle access but not open to skiing or snow tours. Those wrap up in mid-March. Even when the roads re-open to traffic, be prepared for steep snowbanks on the side of the road well into June. That holds especially true in the center and southern park sections.
The bottom line is this – all roads are open by the end of the second week in May (weather permitting) except for Dunraven Pass (8,878′). If you can skip that section of the park, mid to late May is the best time to visit for maximum access to all of Yellowstone’s other sections.
May makes an excellent time to bicycle certain park sections. Look for “Spring Bicycling” alerts like this one to see unique opportunities to ride the park roads without traffic.
Where to Stay at Yellowstone in May
Even the lodges and hotels throughout the region shutter up during the in-between seasons for the most part. Be sure to look for hotels that are open year-round.
Furthermore, avoid the rabbit hole of a date not being available so you keep trying a day or two sooner or later. Most hotels will close from early May through mid to late April if not mid-May. Even our favorite hotel, Golden Stone Inn, closes through the third week in April. Looks like many of the in-park hotels follow that lead.
The earliest campsite openings happen in early May, but most are mid-May to early June.
Weather at Yellowstone in May
Packing for a trip to Yellowstone in May challenges even the most efficient packer, and it’s not much easier than trying to book a room. I’ve joked with several park rangers that they need t-shirts or hats that read “Weather Permitting” to wear in May.
Painting with a broad stroke, it’s easy to say, “Highs average in the 60s and lows in the 30s,” but check out some of the headlines from Yellowstone National Park and surrounding communities in May over the past few years.
Things to prepare for at Yellowstone in May include:
- Winter storms with light to heavy snow
- Springlike temperatures in the lower elevations, a winter storm in the upper elevations
- “Fake Summer,” when it gets warm before another cold front moves through
- Wonderfully mild temperatures with flooding from snowpack creating massive waterfalls
- Sudden changes at any time of day at any elevation without much warning
Temperatures to Expect in May at Yellowstone
When compiling the data for the chart below, I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the shifts. In March 2021, East Yellowstone saw one day with a high of 70°F one day, followed by a high of 36° the next!
The one constant to notice below comes with the overnight temperatures that drop, regardless of and – at times – in spite of the daytime highs.
| 2023 High/Low/Precip | 2022 High/Low/Precip | 2021 High/Low/Precip | 2020 High/Low/Precip | |
| May 1 | 71°/32° None | 55°/32° 0.11″ Rain | 75°/39° None | 57°/35° .80″ Rain |
| May 15 | 67°/37° None | 53°/32° None | 66°/25° None | 56°/35° .19″ Rain |
| May 31 | 74°/41° .04″ Rain | 47°/28° .05″ Rain | 68°/37° None | 83°/41° .03″ Rain |
Precipitation at Yellowstone in May
Go into your spring vacation to Yellowstone knowing May joins June, July, and August as the rainiest months. An average of two inches of rain and 1.5 inches of snow falls in the park.
The bigger concern or excitement comes from the precipitation already there. As we saw in June 2022, a heavy snowpack mixed with nearly 10 inches of rain led to historic and catastrophic flooding. That was about as “worst” as a worst-case scenario can get.
In an average year, you can expect several things in May related to snowpack.
- Robust Waterfalls: The melting snow and warmer daytime temperatures produce those thundering waterfalls that take your breath away.
- Watery Crossings: The snowmelt fills the rivers and creeks, creating some mild to extreme currents on the waterways. Use extra caution in the backcountry and use common sense if a raging river blocks the trail.
- Snow: Since the base level of Yellowstone National Park sits somewhere around 6,000 feet in elevation, the higher you go, the more snow and/or ice you’ll find. It lasts well into July most years.
Bring waterproof boots, socks, and gaiters. Throw in some microspikes for good measure. Despite all the thermal features here, the waters of Yellowstone in May hover around 40° F – not a good place to cross in watershoes.
Become a Certified Weather Spotter
I’ve been a weather spotter for the National Weather Service for as long as I can remember. Sounds fancy, right? Not really – anyone can do it. A Weather Spotter goes through an hour or two of training (remote or in-person) with a National Weather Service office.
The benefits of being a trained weather spotter while visiting a national park include:
- You will notice cloud formations and weather patterns long before you’re on a trail or in a remote area.
- Exploring the various areas helps contribute to the zone forecasts required at places like Yellowstone National Park.
- You gain important knowledge to help keep you, your loved ones, and thousands of park guests safe.
Elevations of Yellowstone National Park
Before I started working with microclimate forecasts and elevations, this Midwestern “flate state” author would always read “high elevation” vs. “low elevation” without clarification. If this helps one person who’s just as confused but too intimidated to ask – let me help you.
Different schools of thought, such as fitness training or peak bagging, offer slightly different takes on moderate vs high altitude vs. very high altitude.
What is High Altitude?
First, let’s start with the lowest elevation in Yellowstone National Park is 5,282 feet. That’s down along a river, where you won’t be going in May.
Second, the highest elevation is 11,358 feet at Eagle Peak, a relatively inaccessible mountaintop unless you’re a sherpa. Even then, you’re smart enough to avoid it in May. Even Mount Washburn sits at 10,219 feet, and the road to get to the trail doesn’t open until late May.
Finally, let’s add that as a general rule of (west) thumb for the average Yellowstone tourist, Acute Mountain Sickness can set in at elevations of about 8,000 feet. That’s also nearly the midline between the altitude spans in Yellowstone.
So, consider above 8,000 feet higher altitude, and anything lower should fall into “lower altitudes,” even though it’s technically moderate altitude. Forecasts for precipitation will detail the elevation of the rain/snow line.
YOU RISK FOR ALTITUDE ILLNESS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put together this great guide to help you gauge your risk of altitude sickness and proactive steps you can take now. That includes some medication your doctor can prescribe.
Wildlife Seasons at Yellowstone in May
We told you in our guide to Yellowstone in the fall that September and October bring the mating seasons. Well, May includes the fruits of that labor.
Wildlife experts say that at least 80% of bison calves are born in April or May. Bears come out of hibernation, with several cubs following new moms. Elk are in calving season, with newborns walking within hours of birth. Wolf pups born in May take about two weeks to leave the den.
This creates the circumstances for May to be one of the best wildlife months in Yellowstone. It also punctuates the wild nature of these animals, at times setting yourself up for an animal heartbreak akin to a Disney movie.
Wildlife Distance: How Far is Far Enough
You might remember in May of 2023, a man saw a bison calf stranded in the river. He jumped to action, pushing the calf up the riverbank. That calf, ultimately rejected by the herd, was put down. The incident led to the man pleading guilty to one count of “feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife” and being fined $1,000. All parties agreed the man wasn’t acting maliciously.
Humans use phrases like “Circle of Life” or “Survival of the Fittest,” but in Yellowstone, those play out in real time, especially in months like May. The best of intentions still break the rules of keeping adequate distance from wildlife.
Trip Planning Resources for Yellowstone in May
When I first moved to the mountains, all the different “checkpoints” and dates were dizzying – chain restrictions, road closures, tiered openings, sudden closures, elevation, and precipitation all created trepidation. Now, I know better and can help you.
Road Trip to Yellowstone Help
Most people drive to Yellowstone, and in May, you’re likely heading to Gardiner or West Yellowstone, Montana. We’ve mapped out the best airports near Yellowstone.
For those driving from the airport(s), please use:
- Montana 511: Interactive map with real-time traffic, live cameras, road construction, and weather conditions in Montana. Sign up for text alerts. The DOT is no longer available on X (Twitter).
- Wyoming 511: Everything above, except for Wyoming. Call 1-888-WYO-ROAD for road conditions.
- Yellowstone Park Alerts: Call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information daily. You can also text 82190 to 888-777 to get text alerts. Follow the park on X (Twitter) and Facebook to get updated road opening information.
You’ll find a Catch-22 at the northeast entrance of Yellowstone (Cooke City). It’s part of the road that is open year-round, but it also leads directly to the Beartooth Highway, which is generally closed through the Friday before Memorial Day.
MORE PLANNING TOOLS: We also listed our favorite road trip planning tools and apps for you and have gotten a lot of positive feedback from those who used some of the options.
Weather Resources for Trip Planning
All weather information for Yellowstone National Park officials comes from the National Weather Service office in Riverton, Wyoming. They produce zone forecasts daily. Easy-to-understand graphics get posted on their X (Twitter) account as needed. Yellowstone National Park offers this simple graphic detailed by park region to get a quick glimpse of the forecast.
Check the SNOTEL reports before confirming a May trip. These backcountry beacons report snow water equivalent (SWE), which helps officials make informed decisions about water resource management, flood control, drought mitigation, and recreational activities in snow-dominated regions. In addition, check the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center for those risks in and around Yellowstone National Park.
While wildfire season technically starts in July and runs through September, it can’t hurt to check out a wildfire map like InciWeb to see if active fires are burning nearby.
Yellowstone Wildflowers in May
Late spring is usually a great time for wildflowers, but in higher elevation locations, like Yellowstone National Park, the real peak season starts in summer.
During a visit to Yellowstone in May, you can expect the meadows to burst with color. The Beartooth Mountains also “spring” to life during this time. Check out this list of wildflowers and where to find them for your trip to Yellowstone in May.
Visiting Grand Teton National Park in May
Many summer visitors pair a trip to Yellowstone National Park with Grand Teton National Park. That hinges on the South Entrance to Yellowstone being open since just 20 miles of Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway connects the two.
Another option is to leave from West Yellowstone and head to Jackson via Idaho and the Teton Pass Highway. That takes about two and a half hours. Of course, check road conditions in Grand Teton before you head that way. It is worth noting that Teton Park Road usually opens on May 1, weather permitting, offering vehicle access to Jenny Lake.
For what it’s worth, Grand Teton National Park’s on-site hotels might follow that tiered May opening schedule, but Jackson, Wyoming, has plenty of year-round hotels through late April and early May.
Is Visiting Yellowstone in May Worth It?
I started out by saying Yellowstone is a mixed bag in May, but you don’t need a crystal ball to determine if this year is the right year to visit during the fluctuating month.
The 2022/2023 winter season saw record snowfall across the West, shattering records in Yellowstone, too. Clearly, a May visit in 20233 wouldn’t have been a good idea due to the snowfall and runoff potential. Yet, in the spring of 2022, the “unprecedented” rainfall on top of the snowmelt caused the June flooding. May weather had little to do with that.
Visiting in late May is better than early May due to the road closures vs opening dates. Late May will be a better time to get a hotel room or campsite. Memorial Day Weekend 😒 brings much larger crowds and more traffic.
A low snowpack year and average to above-average temperatures in May bring an ideal experience, with low crowds and active wildlife. The second or third week of May is the best one of the entire month to enjoy a trip to Yellowstone. Weather permitting, of course. 😁
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