Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in May
May at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 58°F, with about 3.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.4× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 58°F
- Average high
- 77°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 3.9 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 358,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011 to 2025.
That makes May the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.6×) and the December low (0.5×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 56/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 67°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 2.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 29% 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 2,843,263 recreation visits, down 12.6% from 3,251,594 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 68°F / 48°F | 1.6× Busy | 39 Poor |
| May | 77°F / 58°F | 1.4× Busy | 56 Fair |
| June | 85°F / 68°F | 1.3× Busy | 53 Fair |
All twelve months at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 58°F at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, with about 3.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (about 1.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 56/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is December. May sits at about 1.4× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 358,000 recreation visits at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011–2025.
Where to stay near Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in May
Booking a May trip to Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Visiting Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in May?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Martin Luther King, Jr. 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 (2011–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.