Mississippi National River & Recreation Area in May
May at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 49°F, with about 4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 49°F
- Average high
- 69°F
Range across the year: 9°F to 83°F
- Precipitation
- 4.0 in
- Daylight
- 14.6 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 29,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011 to 2025.
That makes May the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.4×) and the December low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 54/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 59°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 2.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 33% 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 14.6 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.6-hour midwinter low and the 15.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 224,722 recreation visits, down 12.3% from 256,133 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 22.6%, 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 | 57°F / 37°F | 0.8× Quiet | 61 Good |
| May | 69°F / 49°F | 1.2× Busy | 54 Fair |
| June | 79°F / 59°F | 1.3× Busy | 58 Fair |
All twelve months at Mississippi, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Mississippi in May
The National Park Service tags 4 Mississippi activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 49°F at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, with about 4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 54/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. May sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 29,000 recreation visits at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011–2025.
Where to stay near Mississippi in May
Booking a May trip to Mississippi National River & Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Mississippi
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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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.