United States, North America

Austin in May

Barton Springs season is on, evenings are still pleasant, and the heat has not settled in. Heavy rain and flash flood risk peak this month and in October.

BestWarm to hot, highs near 87F (31C), humid, the wettest month

Austin Texas skyline, United States — AustinPhoto: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

May is one of the best months of the year to visit Austin. Barton Springs season is on, evenings are still pleasant, and the heat has not settled in. Heavy rain and flash flood risk peak this month and in October.

Weather: Warm to hot, highs near 87F (31C), humid, the wettest month
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What May is like in Austin

May is warm to hot, with highs near 87F (31C) and rising humidity, but the evenings are still pleasant. It is swimming season: Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, and the Hill Country holes are the place to be. May is also the wettest month, and heavy storms can cause flash floods and close swimming spots for days. Crowds and prices are moderate.

This month suits families and anyone who wants to swim, paddle, and eat outside before the real heat. It is less ideal if you want guaranteed dry weather. For cooler days, April and November are better, and for fewer storms, choose November.

Make the most of May

What is especially good about Austin this month.

Swimming hole season

Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, and McKinney Falls are at their best before summer crowds. Go at opening on a weekday.

Paddling Lady Bird Lake

Rent a kayak or paddleboard in the morning and see the skyline from the water while it is still cool.

Pleasant evenings for music

Warm nights are perfect for outdoor shows and patios before summer heat takes over.

What to pack for May

A swimsuit and water shoes for rocky creek beds
A rain jacket for heavy storms
Sunscreen and a wide-brim hat
A refillable water bottle

Our timing tip

Check the Barton Springs page the morning you go, since a big rain upstream can close it, and book Hamilton Pool the moment reservations open.

Book Austin for May.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Austin
Opens a hotel search for Austin in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for May
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Austin
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Austin
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Austin for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Austin

Full guide

Barton Springs Pool

Go at opening on a weekday for the quiet swim. Check the city schedule for weekly cleaning closures and reduced winter hours before you drive over.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Congress Avenue Bridge bat flight

Roughly March through October, the Mexican free-tailed bats pour out at dusk. Watch from the bridge, the lawn by the Statesman site, or a boat on Lady Bird Lake. Late summer brings the biggest flights.

Tickets and tours →

Texas State Capitol

Taller than the US Capitol and free to tour, with guided tours daily. The grounds are a shaded escape downtown and a good first stop with kids.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Bullock Texas State History Museum

The best one-stop primer on Texas, a block from the Capitol. A reliable air-conditioned half day in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Peak bloom runs March through May. The spring plant sale and the bluebonnet fields make April the showpiece month.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake

Rent a kayak or paddleboard, walk the 10-mile Butler Trail loop, and picnic on the Great Lawn. Before 9am in summer is the only sane window.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the SXSW, ACL, F1, and UT football calendars before you book anything. A random weekend in October can cost double the weekend before it.
Stay midweek. Austin fills with weekend visitors and bachelor and bachelorette parties Thursday through Saturday; Sunday through Wednesday hotel rates drop hard.
Barbecue lines: arrive before the pit opens on a weekday, or order ahead where it is offered. Many famous spots sell out of brisket by early afternoon.
For bluebonnets, go on a weekday morning and drive past the famous roadside spots; fields a few miles farther out are just as good and nearly empty.

Know before you go

ACL Fest closes a large part of Zilker Park for weeks around the festival for setup and recovery, and Barton Springs parking and access are affected. Check city notices if a swim is on your October list.
Barton Springs Pool closes for regular cleaning and occasional flood debris; a big rain upstream can shut it for days. Always check the pool page the morning you go.
Hamilton Pool and many Hill Country swimming spots close swimming after heavy rain or for bacteria counts, sometimes for long stretches. Reservations do not guarantee a swim.
Central Texas sits in Flash Flood Alley. Spring and fall storms can flood low-water crossings in minutes. Never drive into water over a road; turn around.