Crowd snapshot.
May averages about 306,000 recreation visits, roughly 42% of the July high. The month is lopsided, because the roads and services come back through it rather than on day one. Colter Bay RV Park opened May 4 in 2026, Signal Mountain Campground May 8, Jenny Lake Campground May 2, Colter Bay Campground May 21 and Colter Bay Tent Village May 22. The Colter Bay Visitor Center opened May 8 and the Jenny Lake Visitor Center May 15. NPS lists Jackson Lake Lodge as open mid-May to early October and Signal Mountain Lodge early May to mid-October. All lodging and campgrounds are reservable and fill months ahead, though no reservation is needed to enter the park.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| May recreation visits (5-yr mean) | 305,741 |
| Share of July's peak | 42% |
| Crowd band | moderate |
| Park's busiest month (5-yr mean) | July |
| Park's quietest month (5-yr mean) | December |
Weather snapshot.
The Moran 5WNW station records a May normal high of 56.4°F and a normal low of 30.5°F, with 2.36 inches of precipitation and 2.9 inches of snow. Snow has mostly stopped on the valley floor but has not stopped in the mountains. NPS says valley trails are snow-free by mid-June and mountain trails and passes may not be snow-free until late July, so a May hiking plan belongs below the canyons. Nights still drop to freezing. Hiking here is challenging at the best of times because of rugged ground, altitude, steep uneven trails and sudden weather changes, and May adds snowmelt to that list.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Average high (°F) | 56.4 |
| Average low (°F) | 30.5 |
| Precipitation (inches) | 2.36 |
| Snowfall (inches) | 2.9 |
| Weather band | shoulder |
| Station | Moran 5WNW HCN, WY at 6,805 ft |
Access snapshot.
The Teton Park Road reopens to cars May 1 (NPS Grand Teton roads page), and the Moose-Wilson Road reopens in mid-May based on conditions, with no vehicles over 23 feet long or 8 feet wide and no trailers. May is when the park's construction season starts, and its projects have run for several years around Moose, Menor's Ferry and the north end of the Moose-Wilson Road; the NPS road construction page lists each season's closures and timed delays. Jenny Lake Boating's 2026 season was May 15 to September 30, ice permitting (NPS hours page). May 25 is on the 2026 fee-free list. For the closures and restrictions in force, read the current conditions page.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| May access score (0-100) | 85 |
| Year-round route | US 89/191 and US 26/287 through the east side of the park, plowed all winter from Jackson to Flagg Ranch. The Teton Park Road is closed to cars November 1 through April 30 from the Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge, and the Moose-Wilson Road November 1 until mid-May. Secondary roads such as Antelope Flats and Schwabacher close seasonally based on conditions. |
| Verify current road and conditions status | Official NPS Grand Teton roads page |
Seasonal events.
May is when the valley comes back to life and the bears are hungry. NPS recommends carrying bear spray everywhere in the park, immediately accessible rather than in a pack, and tells hikers to make noise and travel in groups of three or more. Wildlife viewing is strong from the road: Oxbow Bend a mile east of Jackson Lake Junction has otters, ospreys, bald eagles, pelicans, beavers and moose in the willows, and Mormon Row has bison and pronghorn. Keep 25 yards from elk, moose and bison and 100 yards from bears and wolves. Once Jenny Lake Boating starts, Hidden Falls drops from a 5-mile round trip to about 1 mile from the west boat dock.
Audience verdict.
Late May is the first genuinely good window of the year. Roads reopen, services come back, the valley is green and the crowds are less than half of July's. The catch is that the mountains are still full of snow, so keep the hiking low. Photographers get snow-capped peaks over green sage. Families should time the trip after Jenny Lake Boating starts, since the boat turns Hidden Falls into a short walk. RV travelers get Colter Bay RV Park and Signal Mountain early in the month, and should note the 23-foot limit on the Moose-Wilson Road. Build slack into every drive past Moose, where the road work is.
Common questions.
Is May a good time to visit Grand Teton?
May runs moderately busy at Grand Teton, about 42% of the July peak, with mild shoulder-season weather (average highs near 56°F). Crowds sit in the middle of the year, neither peak nor empty.
How crowded is Grand Teton in May?
May averages about 305,741 recreation visits, roughly 42% of Grand Teton's busiest month (July). That lands it in the middle of Grand Teton's year for crowds.
How much of Grand Teton is open in May?
In a typical May, about 85% of Grand Teton's road network (weighted by how important each route is) is open to wheeled vehicles. Road-opening dates shift year to year, so check the official NPS page for current conditions before you go.
Methodology
Monthly recreation visits come from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025 on NPS IRMA Stats; the statistic shown is Recreation Visits, the 5-year mean for 2021-2025. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Moran 5WNW HCN, WY (station USC00486440, 6,805 ft elevation). The access score weights named park roads by route importance for typical wheeled-vehicle openings that month. Road dates, the Jenny Lake Boating season and lodge and campground windows move year to year. This page carries typical seasons and the year's published schedule, not today's status: for closures, construction and restrictions in force, read the NPS Grand Teton current conditions page and the road construction page, and confirm dates on the official NPS Grand Teton page before booking. Independent site, not affiliated with the National Park Service.
Independent site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Data comes from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025; editorial analysis is ours. The NPS Arrowhead and other NPS marks are not used.