Big Cypress National Preserve in May
May at Big Cypress National Preserve averages a daytime high near 91°F and an overnight low around 66°F, with about 5.8" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 66°F
- Average high
- 91°F
Range across the year: 55°F to 94°F
- Precipitation
- 5.8 in
- Daylight
- 13.3 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 115,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1989 to 2025.
That makes May the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the February peak (1.6×) and the September low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 55/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 78°F is hot, with afternoons near 91°F to plan the day around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 17% 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 13.3 hours of daylight in May to explore — near the year-round maximum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 2,262,731 recreation visits, up 2.1% from 2,216,708 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 135.4%, 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 | 87°F / 62°F | 1.1× Average | 60 Good |
| May | 91°F / 66°F | 0.8× Quiet | 55 Fair |
| June | 92°F / 73°F | 0.7× Quiet | 48 Fair |
All twelve months at Big Cypress, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Big Cypress 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.
- Gator Head (campground): closed all month (April 15, 2027 to August 15, 2027)
- Mitchell's Landing (campground): closed all month (April 15, 2027 to August 15, 2027)
- Monument Lake (campground): closed all month (April 15, 2027 to August 15, 2027)
- Pink Jeep (campground): closed all month (April 15, 2027 to August 15, 2027)
- Burns Lake (campground): closed all month (April 16, 2027 to August 15, 2027)
Things to do at Big Cypress in May
The National Park Service tags 10 Big Cypress activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Fire Prairie Trail · 1-3 hours
- Florida National Scenic Trail · 2-5 days
- Gator Hook Trail · 2-4 hours
- H.P. Williams Wayside Park · 10-30 minutes
- Loop Road Scenic Drive · 1-3 hours
- Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center · 5-60 minutes
- Stargazing in Big Cypress
- The Deep Lake Trail · 30-90 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 91°F and an overnight low around 66°F at Big Cypress National Preserve, with about 5.8 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Big Cypress National Preserve (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 55/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is February and the quietest is September. May sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 115,000 recreation visits at Big Cypress National Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1989–2025.
Where to stay near Big Cypress in May
Booking a May trip to Big Cypress National Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Big Cypress
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 (1989–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.