How Crowded Is Lincoln Memorial in May?
May runs about 1.2× Lincoln Memorial's average month, which makes it a busy month here — roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May.
In a typical May the park sees about 748,000 recreation visits, 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 (1.3×) and the January low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 27/100 ("Poor"), versus the top-rated February at 80/100 — the best overall balance of crowds and daylight.
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 14.1 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 7,743,295 recreation visits, down 8.7% from 8,479,349 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 10.1%, so a May visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
May is busy at Lincoln Memorial (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor". The single best month overall is February.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 748,000 recreation visits at Lincoln Memorial, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Lincoln Memorial in May
Booking a May trip to Lincoln Memorial? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Lincoln Memorial
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Visiting Lincoln Memorial in May?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Lincoln Memorial by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-07-14.