Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in May
May at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 51°F, with about 2.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.4× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 51°F
- Average high
- 77°F
Range across the year: 36°F to 96°F
- Precipitation
- 2.4 in
- Daylight
- 14.3 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 103,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.1×) and the December low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 65/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 64°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 2.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 45% 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 9.1-hour midwinter low and the 14.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 763,798 recreation visits, down 6% from 812,244 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 19.1%, 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 | 68°F / 45°F | 1.1× Average | 60 Good |
| May | 77°F / 51°F | 1.4× Busy | 65 Good |
| June | 87°F / 58°F | 1.9× Very busy | 51 Fair |
All twelve months at Whiskeytown, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Whiskeytown in May
The National Park Service tags 4 Whiskeytown activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Swimming at Whiskeytown Lake
- Gold Panning at Whiskeytown NRA
- Hike to Whiskeytown Falls · 2-3 hours
- Paddling on Whiskeytown Lake · reservation required
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 51°F at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, with about 2.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (about 1.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 65/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is July 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 103,000 recreation visits at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Whiskeytown in May
Booking a May trip to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Whiskeytown
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.