When to go to the USA: month by month

The United States spans a dozen climates, from the Florida tropics to the snowy Rockies and the hottest desert on Earth. There is no single best month, but there is a best month for each place — and a few months when a whole region is best avoided.

Where is it good in May?

Ranking from average highs and lows and monthly rainfall at the nearest NOAA weather station (1991–2020 normals), adjusted for closed roads (Glacier, Tioga Pass) and the peak of hurricane season. Park stations are near the main visitor area; summits are colder.

Open the month explorer on its own page →

Month by month, destination by destination

Eight places where the month changes everything: roads, crowds, heat or festivals.

Yellowstone

Best: September

Roads, wildlife seasons and the winter oversnow park. When to visit Yellowstone

Grand Canyon

Best: October

Rim versus river, monsoon, North Rim season. When to visit the Grand Canyon

Yosemite

Best: May–June

Waterfalls, Tioga Road and the February firefall. When to visit Yosemite

Zion

Best: October

The Narrows, the shuttle and flash floods. When to visit Zion

New York

Best: Sep–Oct

Walking weather, cheap months and the holiday rush. When to visit New York

Las Vegas

Best: Apr & Oct

Heat, pool season and the convention calendar. When to visit Las Vegas

New Orleans

Best: Mar–Apr

Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and the steamy summer. When to visit New Orleans

Florida Keys

Best: Apr–May

Dry season, hurricanes and Fantasy Fest. When to visit the Keys

Season by region

Region	Best	Avoid
Northeast (New York, Boston)	May–June, September–October	January–February (cold)
Southwest parks (Utah, Arizona)	April–May, September–October	July–August at low elevations
Northern Rockies (Yellowstone, Glacier)	July–September	November–April (roads closed)
California coast	September–October	June–August fog on the coast
Florida & the South	December–April	August–October (hurricanes, heat)
Hawaii & the Virgin Islands	April–May, September–November	Peak prices at Christmas

Events worth planning around

Late March–early April: cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C..
February–March: Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
July 4: Independence Day fireworks everywhere.
Late September–mid October: fall colors in New England.
Late November: Thanksgiving — the busiest travel weekend of the year.
December: Christmas windows and the tree at Rockefeller Center in New York.

Questions travellers ask

What is the best month to visit the USA?

September is hard to beat: summer crowds are gone, the weather is good almost everywhere and all roads in the parks are still open. May is a close second.

When is hurricane season in the USA?

June 1 to November 30 on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, with a peak from mid-August to early October.

When is the cheapest time to visit the USA?

January to early March, outside holidays, except in Florida, Hawaii and ski resorts, which are in high season.

Exit 10Next exitsItinerariesTrip planning

Exit 17Yellowstone National ParkGeysers, bison and a supervolcano: the world’s first national park.Exit 24Florida KeysA chain of coral islands tied together by 42 bridges, ending in Key West.Exit 31New England in the Fall900 miles · 8–10 days

Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026.