Congaree National Park in May
May at Congaree National Park averages a daytime high near 83°F and an overnight low around 60°F, with about 3.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.5× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 60°F
- Average high
- 83°F
Range across the year: 35°F to 91°F
- Precipitation
- 3.2 in
- Daylight
- 13.8 hours
Roughly 13% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 24,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1985 to 2025.
It is the single busiest month of the year at Congaree; January, the quietest, runs only about 0.6× the average — a 2-to-1 swing between high and low season.
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 48/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 71°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 15.1 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 22% 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 9.8-hour midwinter low and the 14.2-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 287,833 recreation visits, up 18.9% from 242,049 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 72.3%, 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 | 77°F / 51°F | 1.3× Busy | 58 Fair |
| May | 83°F / 60°F | 1.5× Busy | 48 Fair |
| June | 88°F / 67°F | 1.0× Average | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at Congaree, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 83°F and an overnight low around 60°F at Congaree National Park, with about 3.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Congaree National Park (about 1.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 48/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is May and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.5× the park's average, or 13% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 24,000 recreation visits at Congaree National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1985–2025.
Where to stay near Congaree in May
Booking a May trip to Congaree National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Congaree
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1985–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.