Bluestone National Scenic River in May
May at Bluestone National Scenic River averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 51°F, with about 4.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 51°F
- Average high
- 76°F
Range across the year: 25°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 4.6 in
- Daylight
- 14.0 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 2,900 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1993 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.8×) and the January low (0.1×).
May is our recommended month at Bluestone: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 64°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 7.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 60% 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 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.4-hour midwinter low and the 14.6-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 12,446 recreation visits, up 69.9% from 7,327 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 42.6%, 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 | 68°F / 42°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 34 Poor |
| May | 76°F / 51°F | 1.2× Busy | 85 Excellent |
| June | 83°F / 60°F | 2.3× Very busy | 62 Good |
All twelve months at Bluestone, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 51°F at Bluestone National Scenic River, with about 4.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Bluestone National Scenic River (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent" at 85/100. May is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July 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 3,000 recreation visits at Bluestone National Scenic River, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1993–2025.
Where to stay near Bluestone in May
Booking a May trip to Bluestone National Scenic River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Bluestone
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1993–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.