Cuyahoga Valley National Park in May
May at Cuyahoga Valley National Park averages a daytime high near 70°F and an overnight low around 47°F, with about 4.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 47°F
- Average high
- 70°F
Range across the year: 18°F to 82°F
- Precipitation
- 4.1 in
- Daylight
- 14.3 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 275,000 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 (1.6×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 51/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 59°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 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 14.3 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9-hour midwinter low and the 15-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 3,025,325 recreation visits, up 3.9% from 2,912,454 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 21.7%, 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 | 60°F / 37°F | 1.0× Average | 48 Fair |
| May | 70°F / 47°F | 1.3× Busy | 51 Fair |
| June | 78°F / 56°F | 1.4× Busy | 57 Fair |
All twelve months at Cuyahoga Valley, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Cuyahoga Valley 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.
- Canal Exploration Center (visitor center): closed until May 1, 2027
Things to do at Cuyahoga Valley in May
The National Park Service tags 14 Cuyahoga Valley activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Find Spring Wildflowers in Cuyahoga Valley
- Let's Go Canalway Questing · 30-75 minutes
- Become a Cuyahoga Valley Junior Ranger · 1-3 hours
- Go Fishing in the Cuyahoga Valley
- Hike the Brandywine Gorge Loop · 1-2 hours
- Hike to Blue Hen Falls from Boston · 1-2 hours
- Plan Your Event at Cuyahoga Valley · reservation required
- Stop by Boston Mill Visitor Center
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 70°F and an overnight low around 47°F at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with about 4.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Cuyahoga Valley National Park (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 51/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 275,000 recreation visits at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Cuyahoga Valley in May
Booking a May trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Cuyahoga Valley
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.