Glacier Bay · May
Glacier Bay in May
May is a busy time to visit Glacier Bay — busier than April, quieter than June.
Expect heavy crowds (8/10), highs near 54°F, and about 16.9 hours of daylight.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
Approaching peak season — expect full lots by mid-morning and busy overlooks.
About 73% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical May visits vs. the year
May draws about 16% of Glacier Bay’s yearly visitors.
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
May weather
- Avg high
- 54°F
- Avg low
- 39°F
- Precipitation
- 3.1"
- Sunrise
- 3:36 AM
- Sunset
- 8:32 PM
- Daylight
- 16.9h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, GLACIER BAY, AK US
What's open
Glacier Bay in May: access
There are no entrance gates at Glacier Bay National Park, so we are technically open 24-hours a day; however, services may be extremely limited depending on the time of your visit. The main visitor season is from late-May through early-September with the peak being the month of July. Check the VISITOR CENTERS tab below to see hours for specific facilities, and read the exceptions that detail seasonal changes in hours.
No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
No current alerts or closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Glacier Bay crowds across the year
Alternatives
Quieter nearby in May
FAQ
Glacier Bay in May
How busy is Glacier Bay in May?
May rates 8/10 for crowds (Busy) at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — about 73% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 115,351.
What is the weather like at Glacier Bay in May?
In May, Glacier Bay averages a high of 54°F and a low of 39°F, with about 3.1 inches of precipitation.
How much does it cost to visit Glacier Bay?
Entry to Glacier Bay is free.
When is Glacier Bay least crowded?
Glacier Bay is quietest in January and February. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
How many hours of daylight does Glacier Bay get in May?
In mid-May, Glacier Bay gets about 16.9 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 3:36 AM and sunset around 8:32 PM.