Wrangell - St Elias · May
Wrangell - St Elias in May
May is one of the best times to visit Wrangell - St Elias — busier than April, quieter than June.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
Well below this park's peak — easy parking, open trails, short lines.
About 17% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical May visits vs. the year
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
May weather
- Avg high
- —
- Avg low
- —
- Precipitation
- 0.8"
- Sunrise
- 2:40 AM
- Sunset
- 8:15 PM
- Daylight
- 17.6h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, May Creek, AK US
What's open
Wrangell - St Elias in May: access
The park and public lands are always open but visitor facilities have limited seasons: Open in Summer. Call ahead for hours: Copper Center (907) 822-7250, Slana (907) 822-7401, Chitina (907) 823-7250 and Kennecott (907) 205-7106. CLOSED Mid-September through April.
No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Caution
Lakina River Update
A recently observed landslide across the Lakina River is creating a debris hazard on a popular packrafting route. The river water is cutting its way through, but is highly dynamic and should be expected to remain that way through the boating season.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Wrangell - St Elias crowds across the year
Alternatives
Quieter nearby in May
FAQ
Wrangell - St Elias in May
How busy is Wrangell - St Elias in May?
May rates 2/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve — about 17% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 5,297.
What is the weather like at Wrangell - St Elias in May?
In May, Wrangell - St Elias averages a high of 0°F and a low of 0°F, with about 0.8 inches of precipitation.