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WhenToVisitParks

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in May

Busy1.2× average month · best-time score 53/100

May at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 75°F and an overnight low around 50°F, with about 4.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.

Average low
50°F
Average high
75°F

Range across the year: 23°F to 85°F

Crowds
1.2× averageBusy
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
Precipitation
4.2 in
Daylight
14.0 hours

Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 74,000 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 October peak (1.4×) and the January low (0.5×).

On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 53/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

The daily average of about 63°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 11.4 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 32% 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 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.5-hour midwinter low and the 14.5-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 765,010 recreation visits, up 4.9% from 729,249 in 2024.

How May compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
April68°F / 40°F1.1× Average43 Poor
May75°F / 50°F1.2× Busy53 Fair
June82°F / 59°F1.2× Busy54 Fair

All twelve months at Cumberland Gap, with the best time to visit.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

May averages a daytime high near 75°F and an overnight low around 50°F at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, with about 4.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

May is busy at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 53/100. Our recommended month is September.

The busiest month is October 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 74,000 recreation visits at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Cumberland Gap in May

Booking a May trip to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Cumberland Gap

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.

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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.