Great Smoky Mountains National Park in May
May at Great Smoky Mountains National Park averages a daytime high near 66°F and an overnight low around 47°F, with about 6.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 47°F
- Average high
- 66°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 74°F
- Precipitation
- 6.2 in
- Daylight
- 13.9 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: 1.1 million recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
May is our recommended month at Great Smoky Mountains: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 56°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 4.5 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 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 11,527,939 recreation visits, down 5.4% from 12,191,834 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 9.2%, 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 | 58°F / 38°F | 0.9× Average | 47 Fair |
| May | 66°F / 47°F | 1.1× Average | 50 Fair |
| June | 71°F / 54°F | 1.4× Busy | 46 Fair |
All twelve months at Great Smoky Mountains, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Great Smoky Mountains 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.
- Balsam Mountain Campground (campground): closed until May 15, 2027
- Abrams Creek Campground (campground): closed until May 8, 2027
- Big Creek Campground (campground): closed until May 15, 2027
- Cataloochee Campground (campground): closed until May 1, 2027
- Cosby Campground (campground): closed until May 15, 2027
- Deep Creek Campground (campground): closed until May 1, 2027
- Look Rock Campground (campground): closed until May 8, 2027
- Smokemont Group Campground (campground): closed until May 8, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 66°F and an overnight low around 47°F at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with about 6.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 50/100. May is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 1.1 million recreation visits at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Great Smoky Mountains in May
Booking a May trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Great Smoky Mountains
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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.