Gauley River National Recreation Area in May
May at Gauley River National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 72°F and an overnight low around 48°F, with about 5.3" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 48°F
- Average high
- 72°F
Range across the year: 21°F to 81°F
- Precipitation
- 5.3 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 9,700 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1993 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the September peak (3.6×) and the January low (0.2×).
May is our recommended month at Gauley River: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 60°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 26% 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 9.4-hour midwinter low and the 14.6-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 213,596 recreation visits, down 21.7% from 272,898 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 79.1%, 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 | 65°F / 38°F | 0.7× Quiet | 65 Good |
| May | 72°F / 48°F | 0.7× Quiet | 74 Good |
| June | 78°F / 57°F | 1.0× Average | 80 Excellent |
All twelve months at Gauley River, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 72°F and an overnight low around 48°F at Gauley River National Recreation Area, with about 5.3 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 quiet at Gauley River National Recreation Area (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 74/100. May is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is September and the quietest is January. May sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 10,000 recreation visits at Gauley River National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1993–2025.
Where to stay near Gauley River in May
Booking a May trip to Gauley River National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Gauley River
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1993–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.