Best Time to Visit Nainital: Month-by-Month Weather Guide

Quick answer

The best time to visit Nainital is March to mid-June and October to mid-November. Spring is pleasant and green; autumn has the clearest Himalayan views. May and June are the busiest months, with traffic restrictions on weekends. Snow is possible from late December to February but is never guaranteed. Avoid July and August, when heavy rain hides the views.

Month-by-month at a glance

Jan10°Fair
Feb12°Fair
Mar16°Good
Apr21°Best
May24°Good
Jun24°Fair
Jul21°Avoid
Aug21°Avoid
Sep20°Fair
Oct19°Best
Nov16°Best
Dec13°Good

BestGoodFairAvoidTemperatures are average daily highs (°C).

Nainital weather, crowds and what to expect

Monthly weather, crowds and our verdict
Month	High / Low	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
JanuaryFair	10° / 2°	60 mm	low	Cold and quiet; a light snowfall is possible but not reliable.
FebruaryFair	12° / 3°	70 mm	low	Still cold; occasional snow days; good room rates.
MarchGood	16° / 7°	60 mm	medium	Rhododendrons in bloom; Kumaoni Holi songs around town.
AprilBest	21° / 11°	35 mm	medium	Pleasant days and clear evenings before the school holidays.
MayGood	24° / 14°	70 mm	high	Peak season; parking limits and shuttles on weekends.
JuneFair	24° / 16°	300 mm	high	Holiday crowds till mid-June, then the monsoon arrives.
JulyAvoid	21° / 16°	700 mm	low	Heavy rain, cloud over the lake, landslides on the Kathgodam road.
AugustAvoid	21° / 15°	650 mm	low	Wettest stretch; cheap rooms but few views.
SeptemberFair	20° / 13°	350 mm	low	Rain tapers off; Nanda Devi Mahotsav; very green.
OctoberBest	19° / 10°	70 mm	medium	Clear post-monsoon air; best snow-peak views from Snow View and Mukteshwar.
NovemberBest	16° / 6°	10 mm	low	Crisp and dry; cold nights; mountain views most mornings.
DecemberGood	13° / 3°	20 mm	medium	Cold; quiet until Christmas and New Year, when rooms fill up.

Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.

Festivals and events in Nainital

September (around Nanda Ashtami)
Nanda Devi Mahotsav
Several days of processions and fairs at the Naina Devi temple and the Flats.
February–March
Kumaoni Holi
Baithki and khadi Holi singing sessions start weeks before Holi itself.
Mid-May to mid-June
Summer peak season
School holidays. Police often stop private cars at outer parking lots and run shuttles into town.
15 June
Kainchi Dham foundation day
Very large crowds at the ashram 17 km away; the Bhowali road jams for hours.
24 December–1 January
Christmas and New Year
Mall Road fills up; rates rise sharply; book well ahead.

When is the best time to visit Nainital?

March to mid-June and October to mid-November. Spring brings rhododendrons, 15–24°C days and long evenings on Mall Road. Autumn is our pick: the monsoon has washed the haze out of the air, and from Snow View, Tiffin Top or Mukteshwar you often see Nanda Devi and Trishul on the skyline.

Is Nainital crowded in May and June?

Yes. School holidays in north India send a large share of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to Nainital. Weekend traffic on the Kathgodam–Nainital road can add two hours, and the police often stop private cars at outer parking lots and run shuttles into town. If you must go in summer, travel midweek and stay in Bhimtal or Mukteshwar for half the trip.

Does it snow in Nainital?

Sometimes. Light snow falls on a few days in most winters between late December and February, more often on the ridges than at the lake. It is not reliable enough to plan a trip around. If snow is the main goal, Mukteshwar and the ridges above Nainital have better odds.

Should I avoid the monsoon?

July and August are the wettest months, with 600–700 mm of rain each. Cloud sits on the lake for days, the Kathgodam road has landslide delays and the views are gone. September is a fair compromise: rain tapers off, prices are low and the hills are at their greenest.

Nainital, Bhimtal or Mukteshwar first?

Do Nainital on weekdays and move to Mukteshwar or Bhimtal for the weekend. Our 4-day itinerary shows how. Jim Corbett is two to three hours away, and November to June suits both. See the best time to visit Jim Corbett.

Book October and Diwali stays early. Bengali and Gujarati holiday groups arrive in strength after Durga Puja.

For the full list of walks, viewpoints and day trips, see things to do in Nainital, and compare areas in where to stay in Nainital.

Frequently asked questions

Which month is best for Nainital with family?

April and October are the most comfortable for families: mild days around 19–21°C, clear evenings and fewer crowds than May–June. If school holidays force a May or June trip, go midweek, book rooms with parking, and keep one or two nights in Bhimtal for quieter days.

When can I see snow in Nainital?

Light snow is possible on a few days between late December and February, more often on the ridges than in town. It is not guaranteed. Watch the forecast a week out and keep the trip flexible. Mukteshwar, higher and more exposed, has slightly better odds.

Is Nainital worth visiting in the monsoon?

Only if you want low prices and green hills and don't mind missing the views. July and August get 600–700 mm of rain each, with landslide delays on the Kathgodam road. September is a better bet: rain eases, rates are low and the Nanda Devi Mahotsav takes place.

How cold is Nainital in December?

Days are around 12–13°C and nights drop to 2–4°C, colder with wind chill on the lake. You need a proper jacket, thermals, gloves and a cap. Many older hotels have no central heating, so ask whether the room has a heater before you book.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.