12 of the Best National Parks to Visit in May in the USA
The best national parks in May have gushing waterfalls, desert vistas, wildflowers, and forested mountains bursting with spring green.
May is one of the best months to visit national parks across the U.S. With warmer temperatures, melting snow, blooming wildflowers, and active wildlife, it’s a perfect time to experience the great outdoors before the peak summer crowds arrive.
From deserts full of twisty trees and weird boulder formations to lush valleys and alpine lakes, these are some of the best national parks in May in the USA.
Best U.S. National Parks in May
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone, the first national park in the U.S., is full of waterfalls, wildlife, and geothermal wonders, including the famous Old Faithful geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring.
As the winter snow melts away in April and May, the park’s falls roar to life, creating dramatic photo-worthy scenes. Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley become prime spots for wildlife viewing, as bison, elk, and bears emerge from the colder months with their newborns in tow.
On your first visit, you’ll want to drive both the upper and lower circles of Grand Loop Road, making sightseeing and hiking stops at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Tower Fall, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and Upper, Midway, Lower, Norris, and West Thumb geyser basins.
There’s a lot to see, but you can squeeze it all into 3 days in Yellowstone with this guide.
Why Visit Yellowstone National Park in May
May is the perfect time to visit Yellowstone before the summer crowds descend on this hugely popular park. The roads begin to reopen to cars between mid-April and mid-May after winter closures, giving you access to more areas of the park.
Wildlife is also at its most active, with opportunities to spot baby bison and elk roaming freely. Plus, the mild temperatures make hiking and sightseeing enjoyable.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
Known for its misty peaks and rich biodiversity, Great Smoky Mountains National Park comes alive in May. The landscape is a lush green paradise, with cascading waterfalls and rushing streams at the lower elevations, thanks to the spring rains.
The park is also famous for its wildflowers, with more than 1,500 types putting on a dazzling display of color along the many hiking trails. Cades Cove, a scenic valley with historic cabins and abundant wildlife, is especially beautiful in spring and a must-visit for first-time visitors.
Some of the best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains in the spring include a scenic drive along Little River Gorge Road and Newfound Gap Road, a hike to Laurel Falls and Grotto Falls, and a sunset view from the Kuwohi overlook (formerly Clingman’s Dome). Use this Smoky Mountains itinerary to plan your visit.
Why Visit Great Smoky Mountains in May
May is a beautiful time to visit the Smokies because of the park’s wildflower season. Waterfalls are also at their fullest, making hikes to places like Laurel Falls and Abrams Falls even more rewarding. The mild weather means comfortable conditions for exploring, whether by foot or on the scenic drives that wind through the mountains.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorites and an absolutely stunning destination, with towering peaks, alpine lakes, and wandering wildlife. By mid-May, the aspen trees start sprouting green and lower elevations of the park begin to thaw, offering fantastic hiking opportunities with breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains.
Trail Ridge Road, one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., typically opens towards the end of the month, revealing panoramic vistas of the Rockies.
Why Visit Rocky Mountain National Park in May
With the unpredictable weather and chance of snow, a visit to Rocky Mountain in May can be risky, especially early in the month. However, this is a great time to come before the summer crowds arrive and the timed entry system factors in (it starts in late May).
While high elevations may still be snow-covered, the lower trails offer beautiful hikes with fresh green foliage. Wildlife is particularly active, making it one of the best times to spot iconic animals of the Rockies. The contrast of snow-dusted peaks against green valleys makes for some of the most picturesque landscapes of the year.
Everglades National Park, Florida
May marks the transition between the dry and wet seasons in Everglades National Park, making it one of the best months to visit for lower crowds before the most intense summer heat sets in. This unique ecosystem is home to alligators, manatees, and countless bird species, which are particularly active at this time of year.
Airboat tours provide an exhilarating way to explore the vast wetlands, while kayaking through the mangroves offers a more peaceful, up-close wildlife experience. You can also bike or ride the tram along Shark Valley to an observation tower for panoramic park views.
Why Visit Everglades National Park in May
May is an excellent time to visit the Everglades because it’s just before the intense summer heat and humidity set in. Mosquitoes are not yet at their worst, and wildlife is still congregating around the shrinking water sources, making it easier to spot animals. With fewer visitors than the winter season, you’ll have a more serene experience while exploring the park’s unique landscapes, just be prepared for pop up afternoon showers.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
One of the most iconic natural landmarks in the United States, Arizona’s Grand Canyon draws visitors in every season who come for the spectacular views and adventurous hikes. The national park contains 278 miles of the Colorado River, which carves its winding path a mile below the rim of the canyon.
The park has a South Rim and North Rim area hours of driving distance apart, and while both have incredible views, the South Rim is more accessible and popular to visit. In this zone, you can walk sections of the 13 mile Rim Trail to different lookouts, hike into the canyon on the Bright Angel or South Kaibab routes, and drive out to the Desert View Watchtower for view from a 70-foot-high observation platform.
If you want to visit the North Rim, the main road opens for the season in mid-May each year. Learn about more things to do at the Grand Canyon in this guide!
Why Visit Grand Canyon National Park in May
May offers pleasant temperatures and dry conditions, perfect for hiking at the Grand Canyon. Visiting early in May is a great way to beat the summer crowds that start to arrive around Memorial Day.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Nestled between Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a bit of a hidden gem along the Cuyahoga River. In May, the park’s waterfalls, including the picturesque Brandywine Falls, are at their most powerful.
More than 125 miles of trails here wind along lush forests, meadows, rolling hills, and rock formations. The Towpath Trail, which follows the historic Ohio & Erie Canal, is an accessible route ideal for both biking and hiking, while the rocky Ledges Trail offers a fun adventure in the uplands of the park.
Why Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park in May
May is one of the best times to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park if you love waterfalls and wildflowers. The park’s landscapes are lush and green, making hikes particularly scenic. With comfortable temperatures and longer daylight hours, it’s also a great time to explore the park’s trails, take a scenic train ride, or enjoy a peaceful paddle along the Cuyahoga River.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Southern California’s Joshua Tree National Park is a desert wonderland with intriguing rock formations, cacti, and weird twisty trees. Straddling the Mojave and Colorado deserts, it’s a remote landscape perfect for hiking and camping.
With some 8,000 rock climbing routes, 300 miles of trails, and backcountry roads for biking, horseback riding, and four-wheeling, the adventures here are endless. Don’t skip the Cholla Cactus Garden to see thousands of the plants up close or the Arch Rock and Skull Rock paths for fun boulder shapes.
Why Visit Joshua Tree National Park in May
October through May is the busiest season at the park, when the desert is cool enough to spend time outdoors. This makes May the shoulder season before the dangerously hot summer temps kick in, and it’s a little less busy than earlier in spring. It’s important to keep an eye on the forecast though, because it can heat up enough during May to make hiking risky.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park contains the largest collection of hoodoos in the world. These irregular rock columns fill a basin of the Grand Staircase plateau in southern Utah, creating a unique orange landscape you can admire from lookouts and hiking trails.
On a short visit, you can just take in the scenery from the main overlooks at Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, and Bryce points, but I recommend hiking down into the canyon if you have at least half a day. The Queen’s Garden to Navajo Loop trail is a popular option, encompassing the famous Wall Street switchbacks that crisscross between soaring rock walls.
Why Visit Bryce Canyon National Park in May
While Bryce Canyon is open year-round, some of the roads and trails close due to icy winter conditions. By May, most of the snow has melted and temperatures are mild for hiking before the summer crowds arrive. Plus, May is a great time for a Utah national parks road trip!
Yosemite National Park, California
One of the best-known and most-visited national parks in the country, California’s Yosemite wraps in towering mountains, gushing waterfalls, alpine lakes, granite domes, and ancient sequoias. It’s a stunning and diverse landscape that draws in everyone from sightseeing vacationers to hardcore adventurers.
On the top of most bucket lists are the waterfalls (Yosemite, Bridalveil, and Sentinel Falls to name a few), the Tunnel View lookout of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan (with a climb up for daring souls), the Mariposa Grove of sequoia trees, and the Glacier Point overlook.
Why Visit Yosemite National Park in May
May is a transition time between spring and summer, when most of the roads have reopened but crowds haven’t hit their peak. May is also the absolute best time of the year to see waterfalls in the park due to snowmelt runoff and you may find wildflowers at lower elevations.
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Not to be confused with Montana’s Glacier National Park, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve contains 3.3 million acres of mountains, temperate rainforests, fjords, and towering ice formations along the coast of southeast Alaska. Since it’s not exactly easy to access, most people see it from the deck of a cruise ship.
Not all Alaskan cruise routes include this excursion, so it’s important to look over the itinerary carefully before making your selection if Glacier Bay is on your bucket list. The park limits how many ships can access the waters daily, and a ranger boards the vessel for a few hours to teach cruisers about the landscape and answer questions.
Why visit Glacier Bay in May
Because of weather conditions, Alaska cruise season runs from late April through early October. May is a great time to board a boat and float through the glaciers before the season (and prices) peak.
Channel Islands National Park, California
Often referred to as the “Galápagos of North America,” Channel Islands National Park offers pristine beaches, dramatic sea cliffs, and rich marine life. The archipelago off the coast of California includes five islands – Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara – as well as the ocean around them.
In May, wildflowers blanket the islands, creating stunning landscapes for hikers and photographers. The surrounding waters are also ideal for kayaking, snorkeling, and spotting dolphins, seals, and whales.
The easiest way to visit is on a day trip boat tour with Island Packers, but you can also camp overnight to spend more time on one of the islands.
Why Visit Channel Islands in May
Summer is one of the best months to visit Channel Islands National Park because the wildflowers are in full bloom, and the wildlife is highly active. The weather is mild, making it a great time to explore the rugged coastlines and sea caves. Plus, with fewer visitors compared to the summer months, you’ll have a more serene experience.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park offers stunning seaside scenery, rugged cliffs, and scenic drives along the coast of Maine. The park’s famous Park Loop Road opens for the season in mid-April, so visitors in May can explore highlights like Jordan Pond, Thunder Hole, and Cadillac Mountain, famous for its breathtaking sunrise views.
The trails are lined with budding trees and blooming wildflowers, making hikes and bike rides on the carriage roads especially picturesque.
Why Visit Acadia National Park in May
May is the perfect time to visit Acadia before it gets too busy. Summer is the high season here and October brings a second wave of leaf-peepers, so late spring offers a window to explore while the weather is warming before prices and crowds peak.
Read Next:
10 Best National Parks to Visit in January
12 Best National Parks in February
10 Best National Parks to Visit in March
10 Best National Parks to Visit in April
12 Best National Parks to Visit in June
