Late spring · Weather & things to do
Yellowstone in May
Yellowstone warms up: highs climb to 49°F (9°C), from 35°F in April, with lows of 29°F (-2°C) and about 3.2 in (81 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 55/100, 5th of 12.
- Avg high
- 49°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 29°F (-2°C)
- Rain
- 3.2 in (81 mm)
- Humidity
- 76%
- Cloud cover
- 73%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 37 min
- Comfort score
- 55/100 · Fair
What May feels like
Cool days top out near 49°F (9°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 29°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.2 in (81 mm).
Plan around May
May sits mid-table; the best months are July – September.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by June, lows rise to 37°F.
- The year's biggest warm-up: highs jump 8°C (14°F) from April.
- Comfort improves from 41/100 in April to 55/100.
- Our Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route recommends Mid-Dec – Mar, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Insulated jackethighs only 49°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 29°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Yellowstone in May
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Grand Prismatic Spring
The largest hot spring in the United States, in Midway Geyser Basin; in winter its steam drifts over the Firehole River.
Lamar Valley
Wide valley in northeast Yellowstone with bison, elk and the park's best chances of seeing wolves in winter.
Old Faithful
Yellowstone's best-known geyser, erupting about every 60 to 110 minutes; in winter the plume of steam towers over the snow.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Yellow-walled canyon where the 308-foot Lower Falls builds a huge cone of ice in winter.
Nearby in May
- Yellowstone National Park in May~13 mi · highs 49°F, 3.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Grand Teton National Park in May~57 mi · highs 54°F, 2.8 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Jackson in May~79 mi · highs 59°F, 2.5 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, drier
- Salt Lake City in May~274 mi · highs 70°F, 2.3 in rain · 12°C (21°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.
Yellowstone in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Yellowstone?
It's middling, scoring 55/100. The best months are July – September, at up to 97. Expect highs of 49°F (9°C) and 3.2 in (81 mm) of rain. Our Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route recommends Mid-Dec – Mar, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Yellowstone in May?
Average highs are 49°F (9°C) and average lows 29°F (-2°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Yellowstone in May?
Some: about 3.2 in (81 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 32.8 in (834 mm).
What should I pack for Yellowstone in May?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 49°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 29°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Yellowstone
Planning Yellowstone 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.