17 Beautiful National Parks to Visit This May
Looking to head out on a national park adventure this May, but aren't sure which parks should be on your itinerary? In this article, travel enthusiast Sarah McDonagh shares her favorite May-friendly National Parks to visit this year!
Last updated: May 8, 2024
4 min read
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May is a fantastic month to explore many of the United States’ national parks due to the generally mild weather, the vibrant spring blooms, and the start of wildlife emerging from the winter months.
But where should you go? There are 429 national park sites across the United States. This means you have plenty of options to choose from, depending on where you want to go!
While you may want to avoid the Memorial Day crowds, the rest of the month is a fantastic time at the following parks!
Acadia National Park, Maine
People
Nature Lovers, Outdoor Enthusiasts, Hikers, Birdwatchers, Photography Aficionados
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I grew up going to this park, and May was always the time of year we liked to go up and camp to kick off the summer season early. During this month the park is coming to life with blooming wildflowers and budding trees and the weather is turning warmer. It can get busy, but nowhere near the crowds of the summer months making it a very peaceful experience.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
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Nature Lovers, Wildlife Enthusiasts, Outdoor Adventurers, Photography Aficionados
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In May you have a great chance at seeing a range of wildlife, including bears, that begin to emerge from hibernation. The park is less crowded than in summer, and the geysers and hot springs are impressive as ever during this time of year.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
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Nature Lovers, Hikers, Outdoor Enthusiasts, Photographers, Camping Enthusiasts, Families
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May is a great time to visit Bryce as it provides cool to mild temperatures for hiking and the chance to see the park’s famous hoodoos without the snow and cold of winter or the tourist crowds and heat of summer. If you can manage to visit on a weekday, you may find the park is still relatively quiet and you can enjoy some views to yourself.
Cuyahoga National Park, Ohio
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Nature Enthusiasts, Hikers, Birdwatchers, Outdoor Photographers, Wildlife Lovers, History Buffs
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Spring blooms and waterfalls are at their best in May here, and the weather is ideal for hiking and enjoying the scenic train rides through the park. The weather in Ohio during the month of May is quite nice, as it hasn’t hit some of the hottest parts of the summer. That makes it the perfect time to visit this National Park, especially if you haven’t been there before. You can visit the charming Ohio small town of Peninsula, Ohio while you visit.
Arches National Park, Utah
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Nature Lovers, Hiking Enthusiasts, Photographers, Geology Buffs, Outdoor Adventurers
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Another park that sees extremely high temperatures in the summer, May is a great time to catch the end of the cooler days making it more ample for hiking. I highly recommend doing the short hike out to the infamous Delicate arch at night, it’s absolutely incredible for stargazing and if you go during a full moon you won’t even need a headlamp!
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
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Nature Lovers, Hiking Enthusiasts, Photography Enthusiasts, Wildlife Enthusiasts
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May is when the winter snow starts to melt here, revealing all of the parks hiking trails and volcanic landscapes. It’s a quiet month before the summer tourist season kicks in and is an absolute must visit at some point in your life as it is truly unlike any other park in the country.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California
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Hiking Enthusiasts, Photography Enthusiasts, Wildlife Enthusiasts, Outdoor Adventurers
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These sister parks in the Sierra Nevada are awe-inspiring in May as the snow begins to melt, revealing accessible hiking trails and the majestic giant sequoias. Visitor numbers are still lower than in summer, allowing for a more peaceful experience and an escape from the ‘May Grey’ that takes over the usually sunny beaches of the coast.
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
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Wilderness Lovers, Backpacking Enthusiasts, Kayakers, Wildlife Photographers, Bird Watchers
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Opening in April after the winter closure, May is one of the best times to visit this remote island park in Lake Superior. The ferry services are running, and the weather is ideal for hiking and wildlife observation without the mosquitoes that appear later in the summer.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
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Spelunking Enthusiasts, Nature Photographers, Wildlife Observers, Geology Enthusiasts
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In May, the moderate temperatures make it a perfect time to explore the caverns below and the desert landscape above. The most extraordinary reason for visiting during this month is for the bat flights that begin in late May, where you can watch hundreds of thousands of bats exit the cave at dusk.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
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Adventure Seekers, Photography Enthusiasts, Nature Lovers, Sandboarding Enthusiasts
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Late spring is one of the best times to visit this park as the sand temperatures can get extremely hot in the summer making them uncomfortable to explore at times. The Medano Creek also experiences its highest flow in May, providing a unique beach-like atmosphere at the base of the sand dunes.
Crater Lakes National Park, Oregon
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Nature Lovers, Hiking Enthusiasts, Photography Enthusiasts, Outdoor Adventurers
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This park is great in any of the summer months, but May is a particularly fantastic time to visit as the heavy snows of winter begin to melt, providing a dramatic contrast between the deep blue lake and the white snowy cliffs.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
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History Buffs, Snorkeling Enthusiasts, Bird Watchers, Marine Life Lovers, Photographers
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Located in the Gulf of Mexico, Dry Tortugas is ideal in May before the hurricane season and extreme heat. Dry Tortugas is located near Key West, in one of the more family-friendly vacation areas of Florida. Snorkeling and bird watching are fantastic during this time due to clearer waters and significant bird migrations.
Redwood National Park, California
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Nature Lovers, Hiking Enthusiasts, Photography Enthusiasts, Wildlife Enthusiasts
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May is a great time to see the coastal redwoods in moist, foggy conditions that really highlight the ethereal quality of these tallest trees on Earth. It makes for some of the coolest photos and the weather is also generally more comfortable for hiking.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
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Hikers, Birdwatchers, Stargazers, History Buffs, Nature Photographers, Botany Enthusiasts
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May is a fantastic time to enjoy this lesser-known gem. The weather is ideal for hiking to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, and for exploring the park’s extensive fossil reef from the Permian era.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
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Nature Lovers, Photography Enthusiasts, Adventure Seekers, Stargazers, Birdwatchers
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The stark white gypsum sand dunes are stunning in May, with moderate temperatures that allow for all kinds of daytime activities like sledding down the dunes, hiking, and sunset tours, before the summer heat peaks.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
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Stargazers, Hiking Enthusiasts, Nature Photographers, Birdwatchers, Botany Lovers
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With a range of elevations, May is a month where you can potentially ski in the higher areas while enjoying wildflower hikes at lower altitudes. The park’s ancient bristlecone pines and the Lehman Caves add to the variety of accessible adventures.
Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
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Wilderness Lovers, Wildlife Enthusiasts, Photographers, Adventure Seekers, Birdwatchers
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May might still be cold in this remote Alaskan park, but it’s a unique time to see the sand dunes covered partially in snow—a rare sight. The Kobuk River is bustling with life as migratory birds return and caribou herds pass through the area.
