Late spring · Weather & things to do
Bryce Canyon in May
Bryce Canyon warms up: highs climb to 66°F (19°C), from 55°F in April, with lows of 37°F (3°C) and about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain.
May opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 96/100 (4th of 12).
- Avg high
- 66°F (19°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 0.6 in (14 mm)
- Humidity
- 36%
- Cloud cover
- 41%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 01 min
- Comfort score
- 96/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs near 66°F (19°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 37°F (3°C), about 16°C (29°F) below the afternoon high.
The air is dry, at about 36% humidity, which keeps warmth comfortable but dries skin and lips.
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain.
Plan around May
May is one of Bryce Canyon's best months on the climate data.
- Opens the best-scoring stretch on our comfort score: May – October.
- Comfort improves from 79/100 in April to 96/100.
- May sits inside the Mar – May window our Las Vegas & National Parks route recommends.
- May sits inside the Mar – May window our Utah Mighty Five route recommends.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 37°F
- Lip balm and moisturizerdry air
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Bryce Canyon in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Bryce Canyon Astronomy Program
Ranger-led night sky talks and telescope viewing in one of the darkest parks in the US.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best moonless nights, May–Sep.
Queen's Garden Trail
Gentlest trail into the hoodoos, down from Sunrise Point.
Why now May scores 96/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Ebenezer's Barn & Grill
Cowboy dinner and live country-music show across from Ruby's Inn.
Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail
3-mile combo descending through Wall Street's slot to Queen Victoria hoodoo.
Why now Highs near 66°F and 0.6 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Rainbow Point
End of the 18-mile scenic drive at 9,100 ft, with the short Bristlecone Loop.
Bryce Point
Southern end of the amphitheater with the widest panorama of the hoodoos.
Nearby in May
- Zion in May~50 mi · highs 72°F, 0.7 in rain · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Capitol Reef in May~70 mi · highs 74°F, 0.8 in rain · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Grand Canyon in May~103 mi · highs 85°F, 0.5 in rain · 11°C (19°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Canyonlands in May~136 mi · highs 77°F, 0.7 in rain · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,993 m to Bryce Canyon's ~2,496 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Bryce Canyon in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Bryce Canyon?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 96/100. Expect highs of 66°F (19°C) and 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain. May is inside the Mar – May window our Las Vegas & National Parks route recommends.
How hot is Bryce Canyon in May?
Average highs are 66°F (19°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Bryce Canyon in May?
Not much: about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 10.4 in (263 mm).
What should I pack for Bryce Canyon in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 37°F), lip balm and moisturizer (dry air) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Bryce Canyon
Routes in season in May
- Las Vegas & National Parks Mar – May
- Utah Mighty Five Mar – May
Planning Bryce Canyon in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.