Ford's Theatre National Historic Site in May
May at Ford's Theatre National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 57°F, with about 4.3" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.6× the park's average month, which makes May a very busy month here.
- Average low
- 57°F
- Average high
- 77°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 4.3 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 14% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 76,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 2nd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the April peak (1.7×) and the January low (0.4×).
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 67°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 3.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 28% 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 14.1 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 457,132 recreation visits, up 16.3% from 393,214 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 33%, 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 | 68°F / 46°F | 1.7× Very busy | 37 Poor |
| May | 77°F / 57°F | 1.6× Very busy | 53 Fair |
| June | 85°F / 66°F | 1.4× Busy | 52 Fair |
All twelve months at Ford's Theatre, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Ford's Theatre in May
The National Park Service tags 3 Ford's Theatre activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Explore Ford's Theater · 1-3 hours
- Orange Line - DC Metro · 1-2 days
- Red Line - DC Metro · 1-2 days
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 57°F at Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, with about 4.3 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is very busy at Ford's Theatre National Historic Site (about 1.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 53/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is April and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.6× the park's average, or 14% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 76,000 recreation visits at Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Ford's Theatre in May
Booking a May trip to Ford's Theatre National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Ford's Theatre
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.