Late spring · Weather & things to do
Denver in May
Denver warms up: highs climb to 75°F (24°C), from 65°F in April, with lows of 46°F (8°C) and about 2.3 in (58 mm) of rain.
At 89/100 for comfort (4th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 75°F (24°C)
- Avg low
- 46°F (8°C)
- Rain
- 2.3 in (58 mm)
- Humidity
- 49%
- Cloud cover
- 56%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 11 min
- Comfort score
- 89/100 · Great
What May feels like
Days are warm, averaging 75°F (24°C), easy weather for being outside from morning to evening.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 16°C (29°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Rain is moderate at about 2.3 in (58 mm) for the month.
Plan around May
May is one of Denver's best months on the climate data.
- First warm month: highs reach 75°F, up from 65°F in April.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (May – July), which brings about 6.4 in (162 mm) in total.
- Last of the best-scoring months: by June, the score drops to 77/100.
- Comfort holds steady from April (90 → 89/100).
- Our Colorado Rockies route recommends Jun – Sep, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes75°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 46°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Denver in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Denver Botanic Gardens
24 acres of themed gardens including a Japanese garden and a high-plains alpine collection.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best May–Sep.
Denver Central Market
Food hall in a restored RiNo warehouse with pizza, tacos, pastries and a central bar.
Denver Art Museum
Strong Western American and Indigenous art collections in a jagged titanium-clad Libeskind building.
Death & Co Denver
Serious cocktail bar inside the Ramble Hotel lobby, a short walk from RiNo's mural streets.
Why now May scores 89/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Concert venue set between 300-foot sandstone monoliths with views back to the Denver skyline.
Why now Highs near 75°F and 2.3 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Nearby in May
- Rocky Mountain NP in May~56 mi · highs 54°F, 2.7 in rain or snow · 12°C (21°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Breckenridge in May~59 mi · highs 53°F, 2.1 in rain · 12°C (22°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Vail in May~73 mi · highs 58°F, 2.1 in rain · 9°C (17°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Aspen in May~105 mi · highs 60°F, 1.7 in rain · 8°C (15°F) cooler by day, drier
These averages also cover City Park and Downtown Denver & 16th Street.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~2,095 m to Denver's ~1,597 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.
Denver in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Denver?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 89/100. Expect highs of 75°F (24°C) and 2.3 in (58 mm) of rain. Our Colorado Rockies route recommends Jun – Sep, so May is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Denver in May?
Average highs are 75°F (24°C) and average lows 46°F (8°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Denver in May?
Not much: about 2.3 in (58 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 17.3 in (440 mm).
What should I pack for Denver in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (75°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 46°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Denver in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.