Late spring · Weather & things to do
Black Hills in May
The year's rain peaks now, with about 3.6 in (91 mm) falling in Black Hills, alongside highs near 62°F (17°C) and lows of 37°F (3°C).
It scores 79/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 62°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 3.6 in (91 mm)
- Humidity
- 63%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 32 min
- Comfort score
- 79/100 · Great
What May feels like
Days are mild at around 62°F (17°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 14°C (25°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.6 in (91 mm).
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June – September).
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (May – July), which brings about 8.8 in (223 mm) in total.
- Comfort improves from 66/100 in April to 79/100.
- May sits inside the May – Sep window our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 37°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Black Hills in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Four presidents carved in granite, with the Presidential Trail at the base.
Why now May scores 79/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Iron Mountain Road
Winding road with pigtail bridges and tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore.
Why now Highs near 62°F and 3.6 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Needles Highway
14-mile road through granite spires and one-lane tunnels, including the Needles Eye.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Naughti Wines
Hill City tasting room on Hwy 385 pouring its own wines plus Sick-N-Twisted beers, with a patio and firepit.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Ongoing mountain carving honoring the Lakota leader, with the Indian Museum of North America.
Nearby in May
- Badlands National Park in May~64 mi · highs 72°F, 3.1 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Medora in May~217 mi · highs 68°F, 2.9 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, drier
- Rocky Mountain NP in May~259 mi · highs 54°F, 2.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, drier
- Denver in May~287 mi · highs 75°F, 2.3 in rain · 7°C (13°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Black Hills in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Black Hills?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 79/100 against a best of 96 in June – September. Expect highs of 62°F (17°C) and 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain. May is inside the May – Sep window our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends.
How cold is Black Hills in May?
Average highs are 62°F (17°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Black Hills in May?
Some: about 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 19.2 in (487 mm).
What should I pack for Black Hills in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 37°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Black Hills
Routes in season in May
- Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills May – Sep
Planning Black Hills in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.