Things to Do in Bryce Canyon in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Bryce Canyon
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Wildflower explosion at peak bloom - the hoodoos are surrounded by desert marigolds, Indian paintbrush, and penstemon creating spectacular photo opportunities you won't get any other month. The contrast between red rock and yellow-purple blooms is genuinely stunning.
- Comfortable hiking temperatures in early mornings - you'll catch 7°C to 13°C (45°F to 55°F) at sunrise, perfect for tackling Navajo Loop or Queens Garden without overheating. By 9am you're still under 18°C (65°F), giving you a solid 3-4 hour window before it gets warm.
- Shoulder season pricing with minimal crowds - accommodation rates run 30-40% below summer peaks, and you'll actually have space at Sunrise Point for sunrise photos. Weekdays especially feel almost private on the rim trail.
- Extended daylight without summer heat - sunset pushes past 8:15pm by late May, giving you long evenings for photography and rim walks, but without the 32°C (90°F) afternoon temps of June and July that make midday hiking miserable.
Considerations
- Unpredictable weather swings - May sits in that transitional zone where you might get snow one morning and need shorts by afternoon. The 10 rainy days listed actually include potential snow at 2,400-2,700m (8,000-9,000 ft) elevation, and afternoon thunderstorms can roll in fast with little warning.
- Trail conditions vary wildly by elevation - Rim Trail might be bone dry while Navajo Loop still has ice patches in shaded switchbacks, especially early month. You'll need to check current conditions daily at the visitor center, and some trails close temporarily after storms.
- Limited food options in the park - The Lodge restaurant doesn't open until late May most years, and Bryce Canyon City has maybe 6 restaurants total. If you're here mid-May, you're looking at packed lunches or driving 40 minutes to Tropic or Panguitch for dinner variety.
Best Activities in May
Sunrise photography sessions at Bryce Amphitheater viewpoints
May offers the best light quality of the year for hoodoo photography - the low humidity means crisp, clear air, and wildflowers add foreground interest you don't get in summer. Sunrise Point and Bryce Point are accessible even if trails are muddy. The sun rises around 6:15am early May, pushing to 6:00am by month end, so you're not getting up at 4am like in winter. Crowds are thin enough that you'll actually get tripod space at prime spots.
Moderate rim-to-floor hiking loops
The Navajo Loop combined with Queens Garden is the classic 4.6 km (2.9 mile) loop that drops 158m (520 ft) into the amphitheater, and May is ideal because you avoid both winter ice and summer heat exhaustion. Start by 7:30am and you'll finish before the afternoon warm-up. Trail conditions improve throughout May as snowmelt clears, but check at the visitor center first thing - Wall Street section can stay icy into mid-May in shaded areas.
Wildflower identification walks on rim trails
May is peak wildflower season at this elevation, and the relatively flat Rim Trail between Sunrise and Sunset Points becomes a botanical showcase. You'll see penstemon, Indian paintbrush, desert marigold, and lupine without needing to tackle steep descents. The 1.6 km (1 mile) paved section is accessible for all fitness levels, and early morning light makes the flowers glow against red rock backgrounds.
Stargazing programs at high elevation
Bryce sits at 2,400-2,700m (8,000-9,000 ft) with essentially zero light pollution, and May offers comfortable evening temperatures in the 4-10°C (40-50°F) range - cold enough for clear skies but not the bone-chilling cold of winter. New moon falls mid-May 2026, perfect timing for Milky Way visibility. The park holds Dark Sky designation, and you'll see more stars than most people have ever witnessed.
Scenic drive exploration of park viewpoints
The 29 km (18 mile) scenic drive from park entrance to Rainbow Point hits 13 major viewpoints, and May weather is generally stable enough for the full drive while summer afternoon thunderstorms often obscure views. You'll gain 335m (1,100 ft) elevation from the amphitheater to Rainbow Point, so expect cooler temps and potentially different weather at the far end. Budget 3-4 hours to stop at each viewpoint properly.
Horseback riding into the amphitheater
Canyon Trail Rides operates from inside the park, taking riders down into the hoodoos on the same trails hikers use. May is ideal because horses handle the trails well once the worst mud dries up, typically by mid-month, and temperatures keep both riders and horses comfortable. The 2-hour ride covers terrain that would take significant hiking effort, and horses navigate the steep sections with more confidence than most first-time visitors.
May Events & Festivals
Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival
This multi-day event typically runs in June, so you'll likely miss it in May, but the park does host informal weekend astronomy programs throughout the month. Rangers set up telescopes and lead constellation tours, taking advantage of the park's Dark Sky designation. Worth checking the park website closer to your dates to see if any special viewing events are scheduled around the new moon period.