Late spring · Weather & things to do
Grand Canyon in May
Grand Canyon warms up: highs climb to 85°F (29°C), from 74°F in April, with lows of 55°F (13°C) and about 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain.
At 88/100 for comfort (5th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 85°F (29°C)
- Avg low
- 55°F (13°C)
- Rain
- 0.5 in (13 mm)
- Humidity
- 34%
- Cloud cover
- 38%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 55 min
- Comfort score
- 88/100 · Great
What May feels like
Warm afternoons near 85°F (29°C) make long days outdoors easy.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 17°C (30°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Low humidity, around 34%, makes the air feel crisp and dry.
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain.
Plan around May
May is one of Grand Canyon's best months on the climate data.
- Last of the best-scoring months: by June, the score drops to 62/100.
- Comfort slips from 96/100 in April to 88/100.
- May sits inside the Mar – May window our Grand Canyon & Arizona route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 85°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 55°F
- Lip balm and moisturizerdry air
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Grand Canyon in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Arizona Steakhouse
Southwestern steakhouse at Bright Angel Lodge with big canyon windows.
Why now May scores 88/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Hopi Point
Hermit Road overlook jutting far into the canyon, with Colorado River views.
Why now Highs near 85°F and 0.5 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
El Tovar Lounge
Small lodge bar with a porch overlooking the rim.
Yavapai Geology Museum
Glass-walled museum on the rim that explains the canyon's rock layers.
Bright Angel Trail
Classic switchback trail below the rim; turn around at the 1.5- or 3-mile resthouse.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Nearby in May
- Sedona in May~88 mi · highs 81°F, 0.6 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Zion in May~97 mi · highs 72°F, 0.7 in rain · 7°C (13°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Bryce Canyon in May~103 mi · highs 66°F, 0.6 in rain · 11°C (19°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Capitol Reef in May~158 mi · highs 74°F, 0.8 in rain · 6°C (11°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,837 m to Grand Canyon's ~1,015 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.
Grand Canyon in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Grand Canyon?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 88/100. Expect highs of 85°F (29°C) and 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain. May is inside the Mar – May window our Grand Canyon & Arizona route recommends.
How hot is Grand Canyon in May?
Average highs are 85°F (29°C) and average lows 55°F (13°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Grand Canyon in May?
Not much: about 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 12.4 in (314 mm).
What should I pack for Grand Canyon in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 85°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), a warm layer for evenings (lows near 55°F), lip balm and moisturizer (dry air) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Grand Canyon
Routes in season in May
- Grand Canyon & Arizona Mar – May
Planning Grand Canyon in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.