African Burial Ground National Monument in May
May at African Burial Ground National Monument averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 55°F, with about 4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.4× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 55°F
- Average high
- 71°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 4.0 in
- Daylight
- 14.3 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 4,900 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2010 to 2025.
That makes May the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the October peak (1.6×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 51/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 63°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 34% of annual visitors, choosing May instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 14.3 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.1-hour midwinter low and the 14.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 36,007 recreation visits, down 11.8% from 40,817 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 33.7%, so May may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 62°F / 46°F | 1.2× Busy | 46 Fair |
| May | 71°F / 55°F | 1.4× Busy | 51 Fair |
| June | 80°F / 64°F | 1.4× Busy | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at African Burial Ground, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 55°F at African Burial Ground National Monument, with about 4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at African Burial Ground National Monument (about 1.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 51/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is October and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.4× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 5,000 recreation visits at African Burial Ground National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2010–2025.
Where to stay near African Burial Ground in May
Booking a May trip to African Burial Ground National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near African Burial Ground
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2010–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.