Fort Washington Park in May
May at Fort Washington Park averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 55°F, with about 4.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 55°F
- Average high
- 76°F
Range across the year: 27°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 4.5 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 48,000 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 (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 52/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 65°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 6.1 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 35% 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, 2025 drew 502,171 recreation visits, up 2.3% from 491,013 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 39.7%, 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 | 67°F / 45°F | 1.4× Busy | 41 Poor |
| May | 76°F / 55°F | 1.3× Busy | 52 Fair |
| June | 84°F / 64°F | 1.4× Busy | 47 Fair |
All twelve months at Fort Washington, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Fort Washington in May
The National Park Service tags 5 Fort Washington activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bicycle Smallwood State Park to Oxon Cove Park · 1-2 days
- Watch an Artillery Demonstration at Fort Washington Park · 15-90 minutes
- Birding at Fort Washington Park
- Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps · 5-10 minutes
- Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East · 30-90 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 55°F at Fort Washington Park, with about 4.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Fort Washington Park (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 52/100. Our recommended month is October.
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 48,000 recreation visits at Fort Washington Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Washington in May
Booking a May trip to Fort Washington Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort Washington
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.