Governors Island National Monument in May
May at Governors Island National Monument averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 55°F, with about 4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 55°F
- Average high
- 71°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 4.0 in
- Daylight
- 14.3 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 18,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2003 to 2025.
That makes May the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the August peak (3.2×) and the December low (0×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 81/100 ("Excellent"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 63°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 6.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 73% 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 14.3 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.1-hour midwinter low and the 14.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2016 drew 522,859 recreation visits, up 19.2% from 438,613 in 2015.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 70.6%, 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 | 62°F / 46°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 33 Poor |
| May | 71°F / 55°F | 0.6× Quiet | 81 Excellent |
| June | 80°F / 64°F | 2.6× Very busy | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at Governors Island, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 55°F at Governors Island National Monument, with about 4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Governors Island National Monument (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent" at 81/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is August and the quietest is December. May sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 18,000 recreation visits at Governors Island National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2003–2025.
Where to stay near Governors Island in May
Booking a May trip to Governors Island National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Governors Island
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2003–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.