Cape Hatteras National Seashore in May
May at Cape Hatteras National Seashore averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 63°F, with about 4.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 63°F
- Average high
- 77°F
Range across the year: 40°F to 87°F
- Precipitation
- 4.5 in
- Daylight
- 13.9 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 252,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.9×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 67/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 70°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 11.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 45% 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 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 2,684,009 recreation visits, down 2.9% from 2,762,954 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 13%, 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 | 69°F / 55°F | 0.8× Quiet | 69 Good |
| May | 77°F / 63°F | 1.1× Average | 67 Good |
| June | 84°F / 71°F | 1.8× Very busy | 44 Poor |
All twelve months at Cape Hatteras, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 63°F at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with about 4.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 67/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 252,000 recreation visits at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Cape Hatteras in May
Booking a May trip to Cape Hatteras National Seashore? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Cape Hatteras
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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.