Late spring · Weather & things to do
Olympic NP in May
Olympic NP warms up: highs climb to 48°F (9°C), from 40°F in April, with lows of 33°F (1°C) and about 3.4 in (86 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 54/100, 5th of 12.
- Avg high
- 48°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 33°F (1°C)
- Rain
- 3.4 in (86 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 70%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 56 min
- Comfort score
- 54/100 · Fair
What May feels like
It's cool, with highs near 48°F (9°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 33°F (1°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.4 in (86 mm).
Plan around May
May sits mid-table; the best months are July & August.
- The year's biggest warm-up: highs jump 5°C (8°F) from April.
- Comfort improves from 33/100 in April to 54/100.
- Our Pacific Northwest route recommends Jun – Sep, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Insulated jackethighs only 48°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.4 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Olympic NP in May
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Ruby Beach
Sea stacks, driftwood and red-tinged pebbles on the park's southern coast.
Sol Duc Falls
Short forest walk to a waterfall splitting into channels in a narrow gorge.
Lake Crescent Lodge
Historic 1915 lodge whose dining room serves Northwest dishes with lake views.
Marymere Falls Trail
Easy 1.8-mile round trip through old-growth forest to a 90-foot waterfall.
Next Door Gastropub
Port Angeles gastropub with Northwest taps and burgers, a good base-camp dinner.
Nearby in May
- Victoria in May~45 mi · highs 60°F, 2.0 in rain · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, drier
- Bainbridge Island in May~52 mi · highs 64°F, 2.8 in rain · 9°C (16°F) warmer by day, drier
- San Juan Island in May~57 mi · highs 60°F, 2.0 in rain · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, drier
- Seattle in May~61 mi · highs 64°F, 2.8 in rain · 9°C (16°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~664 m to Olympic NP's ~1,317 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.
Olympic NP in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Olympic NP?
It's middling, scoring 54/100. The best months are July & August, at up to 85. Expect highs of 48°F (9°C) and 3.4 in (86 mm) of rain. Our Pacific Northwest route recommends Jun – Sep, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Olympic NP in May?
Average highs are 48°F (9°C) and average lows 33°F (1°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Olympic NP in May?
Some: about 3.4 in (86 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 73.9 in (1877 mm).
What should I pack for Olympic NP in May?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 48°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.4 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Olympic NP
Planning Olympic NP in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.