Death Valley in May

[C_J1]

We have an opportunity to visit Death Valley National Park in mid-May. Is it likely to be too hot by then?

[2gypsies1]

As long as you're going to be in the area definitely drive through the park if only staying a night. How often will you get a chance to see (& feel) what it's really like? Europeans make it a point to visit in mid-summer to do just that!

[C_J1]

Thanks all for great information. We are going to be in Bullhead City, Arizona in May, headed from there to Yakima Washington. Maybe we'll watch the weather and take the slight detour to Death Valley National Park if it looks like there's going to be a cool snap.

[ppine]

I think it is too late to really enjoy the Park. You can head for the upper elevations and do your outdoor activites in the early morning. I like Feb best, but have had trips in March when it was too hot. There is little shade and no water. It is a rigorous environment in winter, but by May you are in serious summer conditions. You can die out there. It is no joke. The other point is that it does not cool off. It can be 75-80 as a low temperature for the day. There is no relief.

[dedmiston]

We were there in February and it was 85 by 10:00 am.

We camp and ride in the cooler desert areas outside of Ridgecrest and it’s too hot by May. I wouldn’t go to DV that late in the season.

[2gypsies1]

The link given above to the average weather was monitored at Indian Spring, Nevada at 3133' elevation.

Death Valley is 282' BELOW sea level so temps will be quite different.

According to the national park web site the average high for May is 100 deg and a low of 73 deg.

We were enroute to Oregon one year from Arizona and decided to cut through Death Valley. May 10 it was 112 deg. We stayed without electric and sat outside all night! Left the next morning and returned in November for wonderful temperatures. 🙂

https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/weather.htm

[MarkTwain]

C&J wrote:
We have an opportunity to visit Death Valley National Park in mid-May. Is it likely to be too hot by then?

While you might not have control for your trip dates, It would not be my 1st choice, mid-April would be better. Make sure every thing mechanical in top shape, I would also carry 10 1 gal. water container in case of emergency and also carry an extra set of belts for you engine.

[time2roll]

Are you in an electric site at Furnace Creek?
I don't mind the heat so much if I can look forward to cooling off in the evening.
Otherwise I say go as DV is a favorite of mine. Just roll out if the heat gets unbearable.

[NatParkJunkie]

I was there April 14-17, 2016. It was 95-100 degrees by mid afternoon.
Mornings and evenings were comfortable. I was looking for someplace cool to hide out from the sun for the afrternoons. Dante's View is high elevation, and was cooler for that time of day.

[KCFDCapt]

I frequently stay in Death Valley. I have seen 108 degrees on Mother's Day. I have seen snow on Telegraph Peak on Memorial Day. All you can do is watch the weather forecast for the few days before go. If it will be hot, make sure your AC is working properly.

[agesilaus]

DEpends on the weather which you may have noticed is unpredictable. Early May would on average be OK but later in the month is more likely to start getting hot. May 2016; you can see the temps ranged up to 94 deg.