Chickasaw National Recreation Area in May
May at Chickasaw National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 79°F and an overnight low around 59°F, with about 5.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 59°F
- Average high
- 79°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 94°F
- Precipitation
- 5.6 in
- Daylight
- 13.8 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 180,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.1×) and the December low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 64/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 69°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 3.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 47% 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 13.8 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.7-hour midwinter low and the 14.3-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,877,797 recreation visits, up 12.4% from 1,670,498 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 15.3%, 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 | 73°F / 49°F | 0.8× Quiet | 71 Good |
| May | 79°F / 59°F | 1.3× Busy | 64 Good |
| June | 88°F / 68°F | 1.9× Very busy | 38 Poor |
All twelve months at Chickasaw, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Chickasaw facilities as closed during May 2027. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Buckhorn Campground Loop A (campground): closed until May 2, 2027
- Buckhorn Campground Loop B (campground): closed until May 2, 2027
- Central Campground (campground): closed until May 2, 2027
- Guy Sandy Campground (campground): closed until May 2, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 79°F and an overnight low around 59°F at Chickasaw National Recreation Area, with about 5.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Chickasaw National Recreation Area (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 64/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. May sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 180,000 recreation visits at Chickasaw National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Chickasaw in May
Booking a May trip to Chickasaw National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Chickasaw
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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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.