Rapid City Sunrise & Sunset in May 2026
CST • 43.0750°N, 103.2020°W
Northern Hemisphere • mid-latitude latitude band
Last updated: February 23, 2026
This page shows daily sunrise and sunset times for Rapid City, South Dakota throughout May 2026, displayed in local time. You can view how sunrise and sunset times change day by day across the entire month. May marks a transitional period in daylight patterns. Both morning and evening golden hours in May offer distinct advantages. Morning light tends to be crisp and clear, while evening light often carries warmer tones, making each period valuable for different types of photography and activities. Residents of Rapid City use May's sun time data for everyday planning. Morning commuters check sunrise times, while evening joggers and cyclists rely on sunset times to plan safe routes before darkness falls. The precise timing of sunrise and sunset in Rapid City during May depends on the city's specific coordinates and the Earth's position. Our calculations account for these factors to provide accurate, location-specific data. The daily variations in sun times during May may seem minor, but they reflect the Earth's continuous motion around the sun. These changes affect everything from energy consumption to mood and daily routines. Understanding these patterns helps residents and visitors make the most of each day's available daylight.
May is a seasonal transition month for Rapid City in the Northern Hemisphere. Daylight length changes more noticeably now, with sunrise and sunset shifting week by week as the sun moves between solstice extremes.
May daylight summary
- Sunrise shifts 31m earlier from the start to the end of the month.
- Sunset shifts 31m later from the start to the end of the month.
- Total daylight changes by 1h 2m longer by month end.
Key May Statistics
- Earliest sunrise: May 1 at 6:49 AM
- Latest sunrise: May 31 at 6:18 AM
- Earliest sunset: May 1 at 8:53 PM
- Latest sunset: May 31 at 9:24 PM
- Day length change: +1h 2m from start to end of month
May averages
- Average sunrise: 6:31 AM
- Average sunset: 9:09 PM
- Average day length: 14h 38m
Monthly Sun Trend Charts
Daily Sun Times for May 2026
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day Length | Morning Golden Hour | Evening Golden Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | 6:49 AM | 8:53 PM | 14h 4m | 6:49 AM - 7:28 AM | 8:13 PM - 8:53 PM |
| May 2 | 6:47 AM | 8:54 PM | 14h 7m | 6:47 AM - 7:27 AM | 8:15 PM - 8:54 PM |
| May 3 | 6:46 AM | 8:55 PM | 14h 9m | 6:46 AM - 7:25 AM | 8:16 PM - 8:55 PM |
| May 4 | 6:44 AM | 8:56 PM | 14h 12m | 6:44 AM - 7:24 AM | 8:17 PM - 8:56 PM |
| May 5 | 6:43 AM | 8:57 PM | 14h 14m | 6:43 AM - 7:23 AM | 8:18 PM - 8:57 PM |
| May 6 | 6:42 AM | 8:59 PM | 14h 17m | 6:42 AM - 7:22 AM | 8:19 PM - 8:59 PM |
| May 7 | 6:41 AM | 9:00 PM | 14h 19m | 6:41 AM - 7:21 AM | 8:20 PM - 9:00 PM |
| May 8 | 6:39 AM | 9:01 PM | 14h 22m | 6:39 AM - 7:19 AM | 8:21 PM - 9:01 PM |
| May 9 | 6:38 AM | 9:02 PM | 14h 24m | 6:38 AM - 7:18 AM | 8:22 PM - 9:02 PM |
| May 10 | 6:37 AM | 9:03 PM | 14h 26m | 6:37 AM - 7:17 AM | 8:23 PM - 9:03 PM |
| May 11 | 6:36 AM | 9:04 PM | 14h 29m | 6:36 AM - 7:16 AM | 8:24 PM - 9:04 PM |
| May 12 | 6:35 AM | 9:05 PM | 14h 31m | 6:35 AM - 7:15 AM | 8:25 PM - 9:05 PM |
| May 13 | 6:33 AM | 9:07 PM | 14h 33m | 6:33 AM - 7:14 AM | 8:26 PM - 9:07 PM |
| May 14 | 6:32 AM | 9:08 PM | 14h 35m | 6:32 AM - 7:13 AM | 8:27 PM - 9:08 PM |
| May 15 | 6:31 AM | 9:09 PM | 14h 37m | 6:31 AM - 7:12 AM | 8:28 PM - 9:09 PM |
| May 16 | 6:30 AM | 9:10 PM | 14h 40m | 6:30 AM - 7:11 AM | 8:29 PM - 9:10 PM |
| May 17 | 6:29 AM | 9:11 PM | 14h 42m | 6:29 AM - 7:10 AM | 8:30 PM - 9:11 PM |
| May 18 | 6:28 AM | 9:12 PM | 14h 44m | 6:28 AM - 7:09 AM | 8:31 PM - 9:12 PM |
| May 19 | 6:27 AM | 9:13 PM | 14h 46m | 6:27 AM - 7:09 AM | 8:32 PM - 9:13 PM |
| May 20 | 6:26 AM | 9:14 PM | 14h 48m | 6:26 AM - 7:08 AM | 8:33 PM - 9:14 PM |
| May 21 | 6:25 AM | 9:15 PM | 14h 50m | 6:25 AM - 7:07 AM | 8:34 PM - 9:15 PM |
| May 22 | 6:25 AM | 9:16 PM | 14h 51m | 6:25 AM - 7:06 AM | 8:35 PM - 9:16 PM |
| May 23 | 6:24 AM | 9:17 PM | 14h 53m | 6:24 AM - 7:05 AM | 8:35 PM - 9:17 PM |
| May 24 | 6:23 AM | 9:18 PM | 14h 55m | 6:23 AM - 7:05 AM | 8:36 PM - 9:18 PM |
| May 25 | 6:22 AM | 9:19 PM | 14h 57m | 6:22 AM - 7:04 AM | 8:37 PM - 9:19 PM |
| May 26 | 6:21 AM | 9:20 PM | 14h 59m | 6:21 AM - 7:03 AM | 8:38 PM - 9:20 PM |
| May 27 | 6:21 AM | 9:21 PM | 15h 0m | 6:21 AM - 7:03 AM | 8:39 PM - 9:21 PM |
| May 28 | 6:20 AM | 9:22 PM | 15h 2m | 6:20 AM - 7:02 AM | 8:40 PM - 9:22 PM |
| May 29 | 6:19 AM | 9:23 PM | 15h 3m | 6:19 AM - 7:02 AM | 8:41 PM - 9:23 PM |
| May 30 | 6:19 AM | 9:24 PM | 15h 5m | 6:19 AM - 7:01 AM | 8:41 PM - 9:24 PM |
| May 31 | 6:18 AM | 9:24 PM | 15h 6m | 6:18 AM - 7:01 AM | 8:42 PM - 9:24 PM |
Last updated: February 23, 2026
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About sunrise and sunset in Rapid City in May
Sunrise and sunset times shift slightly each day through May as we move through the solstice. The times shown are in local time for Rapid City, South Dakota, and are calculated based on the city's exact geographic coordinates.
You can come back daily to see updated values. This page shows you not just sunrise and sunset times, but also golden hour periods (ideal for photography), dawn and dusk times (civil twilight), and day length for every day of the month. All times are displayed in local time and update automatically based on the current date.
Whether you're planning outdoor activities, photography sessions, or simply want to know when daylight begins and ends, this calendar helps you make the most of each day in May.
Useful sunrise and sunset guides
Learn more about sunrise, sunset, and daylight patterns with our helpful guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is sunrise in Rapid City, South Dakota in May?
Today, the sun rises in Rapid City, South Dakota at 7:40 AM local time. Sunrise shifts slightly each day throughout May, so check this page for the latest times.
What time is sunset in Rapid City, South Dakota in May?
Today, the sun sets in Rapid City, South Dakota at 6:35 PM local time. Sunset shifts slightly each day throughout May, so check this page for the latest times.
How long is the day in Rapid City, South Dakota in May?
Today's daylight in Rapid City, South Dakota lasts about 10h 55m. As we move through May, day length changes gradually, and this page updates daily with new values.
What is golden hour in Rapid City, South Dakota?
Golden hour in Rapid City, South Dakota refers to the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, creating warm, soft lighting ideal for photography. These periods occur twice daily and shift gradually throughout the month. For more information about planning photos during golden hour, see our guide on golden hour photography.
How often are these sunrise and sunset times updated?
Sunrise and sunset times are updated daily and are based on reliable astronomical calculations. The times account for your location's exact geographic coordinates, timezone, and the Earth's position in its orbit. You can check back each day to see the latest values.
Related Pages
How People Use This Information
People use sunrise and sunset times for planning outdoor activities, photography, travel, prayer times, fitness routines, gardening, and understanding seasonal daylight changes. SunTimesToday is designed as a quick, location-specific reference that updates daily to reflect accurate astronomical calculations.
Data Source & Accuracy
Sunrise, sunset, daylight length, and twilight times on SunTimesToday are calculated using standard astronomical algorithms based on your selected location and date. Data is updated daily to reflect seasonal and yearly changes. While times are accurate for most practical uses, small variations may occur due to atmospheric conditions and local geography.