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WhenToVisitParks

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in May

Busy1.2× average month · best-time score 54/100

May at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 74°F and an overnight low around 51°F. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.

Average low
51°F
Average high
74°F

Range across the year: 24°F to 83°F

Crowds
1.2× averageBusy
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Daylight
13.9 hours

Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 79,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1988 to 2025.

That makes May the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the October peak (1.3×) and the January low (0.5×).

On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 54/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is April: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

The daily average of about 62°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 7.4 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 30% 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 13.9 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.5-hour midwinter low and the 14.5-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 774,353 recreation visits, down 0.7% from 779,602 in 2024.

How May compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
April67°F / 42°F1.1× Average52 Fair
May74°F / 51°F1.2× Busy54 Fair
June80°F / 59°F1.3× Busy56 Fair

All twelve months at Big South Fork, with the best time to visit.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

May averages a daytime high near 74°F and an overnight low around 51°F at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

May is busy at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 54/100. Our recommended month is April.

The busiest month is October and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.

A typical May sees about 79,000 recreation visits at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1988–2025.

Where to stay near Big South Fork in May

Booking a May trip to Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Big South Fork

Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.

Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1988–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.