Fire Island National Seashore in May
May at Fire Island National Seashore averages a daytime high near 64°F and an overnight low around 52°F, with about 3.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 52°F
- Average high
- 64°F
Range across the year: 26°F to 80°F
- Precipitation
- 3.5 in
- Daylight
- 14.3 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 21,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the August peak (2.6×) and the January low (0.2×).
May is our recommended month at Fire Island: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 58°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 5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 55% 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 9.1-hour midwinter low and the 14.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 305,520 recreation visits, up 0.6% from 303,731 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 16.8%, so May may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 56°F / 43°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 64 Good |
| May | 64°F / 52°F | 0.8× Quiet | 71 Good |
| June | 74°F / 63°F | 1.5× Busy | 72 Good |
All twelve months at Fire Island, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Fire Island 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.
- Watch Hill Campground (campground): closed until May 15, 2027
- Sailors Haven Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (October 13, 2026 to May 31, 2027)
- Watch Hill Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (October 13, 2026 to May 31, 2027)
Things to do at Fire Island in May
The National Park Service tags 5 Fire Island activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Boating Fire Island · reservation required
- Burma Trail
- Birding at Fire Island
- Fishing Fire Island
- Tour the Tower!
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 64°F and an overnight low around 52°F at Fire Island National Seashore, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Fire Island National Seashore (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 71/100. May is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is August and the quietest is January. May sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 21,000 recreation visits at Fire Island National Seashore, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fire Island in May
Booking a May trip to Fire Island National Seashore? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fire Island
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.