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WhenToVisitParks

World War II Memorial in May

Busy1.4× average month · best-time score 50/100

May at World War II Memorial averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 58°F, with about 3.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.5× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.

Average low
58°F
Average high
77°F

Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F

Precipitation
3.9 in
Daylight
14.1 hours

Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 531,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2004 to 2025.

It is the single busiest month of the year at World War II Memorial; January, the quietest, runs only about 0.4× the average — a 4-to-1 swing between high and low season.

On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 50/100 ("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 2.9 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 31% 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, 2025 drew 3,993,717 recreation visits, down 22.6% from 5,160,769 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 7.9%, so a May visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.

How May compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
April68°F / 48°F1.4× Busy40 Poor
May77°F / 58°F1.4× Busy50 Fair
June85°F / 68°F1.3× Busy47 Fair

All twelve months at World War II Memorial, with the best time to visit.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

May averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 58°F at World War II Memorial, with about 3.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

May is busy at World War II Memorial (about 1.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 50/100. Our recommended month is September.

The busiest month is May and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.4× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.

A typical May sees about 531,000 recreation visits at World War II Memorial, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2004–2025.

Where to stay near World War II Memorial in May

Booking a May trip to World War II Memorial? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near World War II Memorial

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 (2004–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.