Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River in May
May at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 45°F, with about 3.8" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 45°F
- Average high
- 71°F
Range across the year: 15°F to 82°F
- Precipitation
- 3.8 in
- Daylight
- 14.3 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 26,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1980 to 2025.
That makes May the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.9×) and the December low (0.2×).
May is our recommended month at Upper Delaware: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 58°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 1.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 59% 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 14.3 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9-hour midwinter low and the 15-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 380,245 recreation visits, up 0.8% from 377,061 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 34.9%, so a May visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 59°F / 35°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 64 Good |
| May | 71°F / 45°F | 1.1× Average | 67 Good |
| June | 78°F / 54°F | 1.5× Busy | 70 Good |
All twelve months at Upper Delaware, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Upper Delaware in May
The National Park Service tags 16 Upper Delaware activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hike the Minisink Battleground Park Trail System · 30-120 minutes
- Hike the Mongaup River Trail · 45-90 minutes
- Easy: Paddle from Buckingham to Long Eddy · 3-5 hours
- Exciting: Paddle from Lackawaxen to Sparrowbush · 8-10 hours
- Float from Damascus to Skinners Falls · 1-2 hours
- Hike the Bouchoux Trail to Jensen's Ledges · 2-5 hours
- Hike the D&H Towpath Trail · 15-30 minutes
- Hike the Tusten Mountain Trail · 1-3 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 45°F at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, with about 3.8 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 67/100. May is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. May sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 26,000 recreation visits at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1980–2025.
Where to stay near Upper Delaware in May
Booking a May trip to Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Upper Delaware
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 (1980–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.