Booker T Washington National Monument in May
May at Booker T Washington National Monument averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 52°F, with about 4.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 52°F
- Average high
- 76°F
Range across the year: 26°F to 87°F
- Precipitation
- 4.5 in
- Daylight
- 14.0 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 2,600 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (1.7×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 57/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: 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 13.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 9.5-hour midwinter low and the 14.5-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 24,209 recreation visits, down 15.7% from 28,713 in 2023.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 70°F / 42°F | 1.0× Average | 54 Fair |
| May | 76°F / 52°F | 1.3× Busy | 57 Fair |
| June | 83°F / 60°F | 1.6× Very busy | 46 Fair |
All twelve months at Booker T Washington, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Booker T Washington in May
The National Park Service tags 7 Booker T Washington activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bring Your Dog for a Walk to Booker T. Washington NM · 30-60 minutes
- Enjoy a Picnic at Booker T. Washington National Monument · 30-120 minutes
- Explore Exhibits on Booker T. Washington’s Early Life · 15-60 minutes
- Ring the Bell: A Symbolic Marker of Freedom · 5-10 minutes
- Start at the Booker T. Washington Visitor Center · 15-60 minutes
- Take a hike on the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail · 45-90 minutes
- Take a Tour of the Historic Core on the Plantation Trail · 30-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 52°F at Booker T Washington National Monument, with about 4.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 13.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Booker T Washington National Monument (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 57/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 3,000 recreation visits at Booker T Washington National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Booker T Washington in May
Booking a May trip to Booker T Washington National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Booker T Washington
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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.