Buck Island Reef National Monument in May
May at Buck Island Reef National Monument averages a daytime high near 86°F and an overnight low around 78°F, with about 4.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 78°F
- Average high
- 86°F
Range across the year: 74°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 4.2 in
- Daylight
- 12.8 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 3,100 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.5×) and the September low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 48/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is December: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 82°F is warm enough that midday heat is worth planning around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 28% 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 12.8 hours of daylight in May to explore — near the year-round maximum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 40,079 recreation visits, down 5.2% from 42,289 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 40.3%, 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 | 84°F / 76°F | 1.2× Busy | 46 Fair |
| May | 86°F / 78°F | 1.0× Average | 48 Fair |
| June | 87°F / 79°F | 1.3× Busy | 37 Poor |
All twelve months at Buck Island Reef, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 86°F and an overnight low around 78°F at Buck Island Reef National Monument, with about 4.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Buck Island Reef National Monument (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 48/100. Our recommended month is December.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is September. May sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 3,000 recreation visits at Buck Island Reef National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Buck Island Reef in May
Booking a May trip to Buck Island Reef National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Buck Island Reef
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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.