Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in May
May at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 75°F and an overnight low around 60°F, with about 3.5" 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
- 75°F
Range across the year: 36°F to 86°F
- Precipitation
- 3.5 in
- Daylight
- 13.9 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 32,000 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 June peak (2.2×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 66/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is October: 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 1.4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 50% 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 13.9 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 266,775 recreation visits, down 2.9% from 274,783 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 12.7%, 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 | 68°F / 51°F | 0.8× Quiet | 69 Good |
| May | 75°F / 60°F | 1.5× Busy | 66 Good |
| June | 82°F / 69°F | 2.2× Very busy | 42 Poor |
All twelve months at Fort Raleigh, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 75°F and an overnight low around 60°F at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (about 1.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 66/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.5× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 32,000 recreation visits at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Raleigh in May
Booking a May trip to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort Raleigh
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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.