New River Gorge National Park in May
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve · crowd + weather almanac
May crowd level
busy
about 156,000 visits in a
typical May
The 5th-busiest month of the year ·
median of 2016–2025 official NPS counts
May is the 5th-busiest month of the year at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve: about 156,000 recreation visits in a typical May (11% of the year's traffic, and 68% of what the peak month, July, sees). This is a busy month, though short of the summer-peak crush. Weather-wise, May days at the Anstead Hawks Nest Sp, WV station typically top out around 75°F with nights near 50°F, and about 5.0 inches of precipitation falls over the month.
- Typical May: 155,521 recreation visits (median 2016–2025); the range across those years ran 109,036 (2020) to 251,666 (2025).
- Busier than 7 of the other 11 months.
- 1991–2020 May normals at Anstead Hawks Nest Sp, WV: high 75°F, low 50°F, 4.98 in precipitation.
- Similar daytime temperatures, thinner crowds: April typically runs 68°F days with about 31% fewer visits (107,000 vs 156,000).
May weather (1991–2020 normals)
| Typical daytime high | 75°F |
|---|---|
| Typical overnight low | 50°F |
| Precipitation (monthly normal) | 4.98 in |
| Measured at | Anstead Hawks Nest Sp, WV (USC00460202), 4.2 mi from the park reference point, elev. 1,296 ft |
Every month at New River Gorge
| Month | Typical visits | Crowds | High / Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32,756 | quietest stretch | 42°F / 23°F | 3.3 in |
| February | 37,710 | quiet | 46°F / 25°F | 3.0 in |
| March | 69,383 | quiet | 55°F / 31°F | 4.2 in |
| April | 106,585 | moderate | 68°F / 40°F | 4.3 in |
| May | 155,521 | busy | 75°F / 50°F | 5.0 in |
| June | 190,761 | busy | 81°F / 58°F | 4.7 in |
| July | 228,028 | busiest stretch | 84°F / 62°F | 5.9 in |
| August | 190,461 | busy | 83°F / 61°F | 4.2 in |
| September | 145,819 | busy | 78°F / 54°F | 3.6 in |
| October | 156,412 | busy | 68°F / 42°F | 3.1 in |
| November | 71,562 | quiet | 56°F / 33°F | 3.1 in |
| December | 39,235 | quiet | 46°F / 27°F | 3.7 in |