Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in May
May at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 41°F, with about 3.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 41°F
- Average high
- 63°F
Range across the year: 7°F to 77°F
- Precipitation
- 3.5 in
- Daylight
- 14.8 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 13,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the August peak (3×) and the December low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 68/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is June: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 52°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 9.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 63% 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 14.8 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.3-hour midwinter low and the 15.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 261,009 recreation visits, up 2.9% from 253,703 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 19.8%, so a May visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 49°F / 30°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
| May | 63°F / 41°F | 0.7× Quiet | 68 Good |
| June | 71°F / 49°F | 1.6× Very busy | 66 Good |
All twelve months at Apostle Islands, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Apostle Islands facilities as closed during May 2027. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Bayfield Headquarters (visitor center): closed until May 15, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 41°F at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 68/100. Our recommended month is June.
The busiest month is August and the quietest is December. May sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 13,000 recreation visits at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Apostle Islands in May
Booking a May trip to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Apostle Islands
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.