When to go · West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for park access; Dec–Mar for snowcoach and snowmobile season). Across United States: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) / −1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- Medium
- United States overall
- Prices
- Medium
- United States overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for park access; Dec–Mar for snowcoach and snowmobile season). Across United States: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated good. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside West Yellowstone's best window: Jun–Sep for park access; Dec–Mar for snowcoach and snowmobile season.
- JulyGreatInside West Yellowstone's best window: Jun–Sep for park access; Dec–Mar for snowcoach and snowmobile season.
- AugustGreatInside West Yellowstone's best window: Jun–Sep for park access; Dec–Mar for snowcoach and snowmobile season.
- SeptemberGreatInside West Yellowstone's best window: Jun–Sep for park access; Dec–Mar for snowcoach and snowmobile season.
Weather in May
- West YellowstoneHighs around 16 °C (61 °F), lows around -1 °C (30 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 61 °F (16 °C), lows around 30 °F (-1 °C), rain on about 10 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Memorial Day big impact
Last Monday of May · United States
Start of summer; roads and beaches full.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- Medium
- Prices · United States overall
- Medium
United States overall: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in West Yellowstone, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Jan: -2 °C (28 °F)28 °F (-2 °C)
Night low
May: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
Jan: -16 °C (3 °F)3 °F (-16 °C)
Rain days
May: 10
Jan: 10
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for park access; Dec–Mar for snowcoach and snowmobile season). Across United States: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
January: Inside West Yellowstone's best window: Jun–Sep for park access; Dec–Mar for snowcoach and snowmobile season.
West Yellowstone: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast