Yosemite in May: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
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May is one of the best months of the year to visit Yosemite National Park: crowds run 71% of the August peak (383,092 average visits). Weather: highs average 71°F and lows 45°F, with 1.9″ of precipitation and 14.2 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Yosemite in May
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 45°F.
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
- Water bottles for the daySee it on AmazonWhy: hydration is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.
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Yosemite in May: what the park service says
May is the month Yosemite starts reopening its high country, though not reliably: the park service says Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road, closed by snow since November, usually reopen in late May or early June, and it posts plowing updates from April 15. Until they open, plan around the valley, reached all year by Wawona, El Portal and Big Oak Flat roads. In 2026 no timed entry reservation was needed to drive in.
Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in May
Yosemite averages 383,092 recreation visits in May — 71% of what August, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — book early and start days at dawn.
Weather & daylight
Daytime temperatures are comfortable (highs average 71°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 45°F). It is typically dry (1.9″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 14.2 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YOSEMITE PARK HQ, CA US (3 mi from park coordinates, 4,018 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of May.
What to pack for Yosemite in May
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 45°F
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Also at their best in May
Other parks whose computed May verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Lake Clark in May — 7% of peak crowds, highs 59°F, score 96/100
- North Cascades in May — 11% of peak crowds, highs 69°F, score 96/100
- Katmai in May — 1% of peak crowds, highs 52°F, score 95/100
- Gates of the Arctic in May — 12% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 94/100
Common questions
Is Yosemite crowded in May?
Yes — May runs 71% of Yosemite's peak, averaging 383,092 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Yosemite.
What is the weather like in Yosemite in May?
Average highs of 71°F, lows of 45°F, 1.9″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YOSEMITE PARK HQ, CA US station). Compare it with other national parks in May.
What should I pack for Yosemite in May?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in June instead? Yosemite in June has its own list.
Is everything open at Yosemite in May?
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road typically close November–late May; Yosemite Valley is open year-round. Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.
See also: the best national parks to visit in May · Last verified 2026-09-24