Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site in May
May at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 49°F, with about 3.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 49°F
- Average high
- 71°F
Range across the year: 19°F to 83°F
- Precipitation
- 3.5 in
- Daylight
- 14.4 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 35,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 4th-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 51/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is June: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 60°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 5 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 14.4 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9-hour midwinter low and the 15-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 295,040 recreation visits, down 27.3% from 406,077 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 60°F / 38°F | 1.0× Average | 46 Fair |
| May | 71°F / 49°F | 1.3× Busy | 51 Fair |
| June | 78°F / 58°F | 1.2× Busy | 61 Good |
All twelve months at Vanderbilt Mansion, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Vanderbilt Mansion in May
The National Park Service tags 3 Vanderbilt Mansion activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Explore Bard Rock · 1-3 hours
- Vanderbilt Riverfront Trail · 2-3 hours
- Visit the Formal Gardens · 1-2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 49°F at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 51/100. Our recommended month is June.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 35,000 recreation visits at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Vanderbilt Mansion in May
Booking a May trip to Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Vanderbilt Mansion
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 (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.