Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in May
May at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 40°F. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes May a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 40°F
- Average high
- 62°F
Range across the year: 3°F to 76°F
- Daylight
- 14.7 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 1,400 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2020 to 2025.
That makes May the 10th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the February peak (2.6×) and the April low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 79/100 ("Excellent"). Our recommended month is June: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 51°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 11.4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 30% 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 14.7 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.5-hour midwinter low and the 15.5-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 33,835 recreation visits, down 3.8% from 35,173 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 8.2%, 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 | 48°F / 29°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 21 Poor |
| May | 62°F / 40°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 79 Excellent |
| June | 72°F / 49°F | 0.8× Quiet | 83 Excellent |
All twelve months at Katahdin Woods and Waters, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Katahdin Woods and Waters 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.
- Tekakapimək Contact Station (visitor center): closed until May 27, 2027
Things to do at Katahdin Woods and Waters in May
The National Park Service tags 12 Katahdin Woods and Waters activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bike the IAT - Wassataquoik Stream Loop
- Bike the Katahdin Loop Road
- Bike the Upper East Branch Loop
- Bike to Haskell Rock Pitch · reservation required
- Bike to Orin Falls
- Hike Deasey Ponds Trail · 45-90 minutes
- Paddle the East Branch of the Penobscot River (From Lunksoos Boat Launch to Big Seboeis) · 3-5 hours
- Picnic at Lunksoos Boat Launch
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 40°F at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is very quiet at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent" at 79/100. Our recommended month is June.
The busiest month is February and the quietest is April. May sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 1,000 recreation visits at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2020–2025.
Where to stay near Katahdin Woods and Waters in May
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2020–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.