Gettysburg National Military Park in May
May at Gettysburg National Military Park averages a daytime high near 73°F and an overnight low around 49°F, with about 4.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.6× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 49°F
- Average high
- 73°F
Range across the year: 21°F to 86°F
- Precipitation
- 4.1 in
- Daylight
- 14.2 hours
Roughly 13% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 110,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.7×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 45/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 61°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 0.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 38% 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 14.2 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.2-hour midwinter low and the 14.8-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 730,398 recreation visits, down 1.5% from 741,574 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 19.3%, 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 | 64°F / 40°F | 1.2× Busy | 45 Fair |
| May | 73°F / 49°F | 1.6× Busy | 45 Fair |
| June | 82°F / 57°F | 1.6× Very busy | 50 Fair |
All twelve months at Gettysburg, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Gettysburg 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.
- David Wills House (visitor center): closed until May 10, 2027
Things to do at Gettysburg in May
The National Park Service tags 7 Gettysburg activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bike Rules and Regulations on the Battlefield
- Gettysburg Living History Schedule
- Eisenhower Ranger Programs
- Gettysburg Junior Ranger Program · 1-2 hours
- Gettysburg NMP Museum and Visitor Center · 2-3 hours · reservation required
- Horseback Riding Trails at Gettysburg · 2-4 hours
- Ranger Programs at Gettysburg · 20-180 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 73°F and an overnight low around 49°F at Gettysburg National Military Park, with about 4.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Gettysburg National Military Park (about 1.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 45/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.6× the park's average, or 13% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 110,000 recreation visits at Gettysburg National Military Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Gettysburg in May
Booking a May trip to Gettysburg National Military Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Gettysburg
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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.