Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park in May
May at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 72°F and an overnight low around 52°F, with about 4.3" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 52°F
- Average high
- 72°F
Range across the year: 23°F to 84°F
- Precipitation
- 4.3 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 465,000 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 (1.3×) and the January low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 48/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
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 7.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 31% 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 14.1 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,579,704 recreation visits, up 3.6% from 4,421,276 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 65°F / 41°F | 1.2× Busy | 38 Poor |
| May | 72°F / 52°F | 1.2× Busy | 48 Fair |
| June | 80°F / 61°F | 1.3× Busy | 49 Fair |
All twelve months at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in May
The National Park Service tags 7 Chesapeake & Ohio Canal activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Explore the C&O Canal Williamsport Visitors Center · 20-60 minutes
- Explore the Trolley Barn at Cushwa Basin · 15-60 minutes
- Bike the C&O Canal Towpath · 3-5 days
- Explore the Georgetown Waterfront · 60-160 minutes
- Multi-Park Loop
- Paddle the Middle Potomac · 2-4 days
- Take the Scenic Route on the Potomac Heritage Trail · 1-8 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 72°F and an overnight low around 52°F at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, with about 4.3 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 48/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June 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 465,000 recreation visits at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in May
Booking a May trip to Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
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.
Visiting Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in May?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Chesapeake & Ohio Canal by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.