Pennsylvania Avenue in May
May at Pennsylvania Avenue averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 57°F, with about 4.3" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 57°F
- Average high
- 77°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 4.3 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 21,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1986 to 2025.
That makes May the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 59/100 ("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 3.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 36% 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, 2024 drew 141,840 recreation visits, up 2.7% from 138,108 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 38.8%, 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 | 68°F / 46°F | 1.4× Busy | 41 Poor |
| May | 77°F / 57°F | 1.2× Busy | 59 Fair |
| June | 85°F / 66°F | 1.4× Busy | 46 Fair |
All twelve months at Pennsylvania Avenue, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 57°F at Pennsylvania Avenue, with about 4.3 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Pennsylvania Avenue (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 59/100. Our recommended month is September.
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 21,000 recreation visits at Pennsylvania Avenue, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1986–2025.
Where to stay near Pennsylvania Avenue in May
Booking a May trip to Pennsylvania Avenue? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Pennsylvania Avenue
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1986–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.