Great Smoky Mountains · May
Great Smoky Mountains in May
May is a busy time to visit Great Smoky Mountains — about as busy as April, quieter than June.
Expect heavy crowds (7/10), highs near 76°F, about 14.1 hours of daylight, and 4 seasonal closures in effect.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
Approaching peak season — expect full lots by mid-morning and busy overlooks.
About 68% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical May visits vs. the year
May draws about 9% of Great Smoky Mountains’s yearly visitors.
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
May weather
- Avg high
- 76°F
- Avg low
- 52°F
- Precipitation
- 4.7"
- Sunrise
- 4:28 AM
- Sunset
- 6:32 PM
- Daylight
- 14.1h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Gatlinburg
What's open
Great Smoky Mountains in May: access
Open 24 hours year-round; some secondary roads close seasonally
Seasonal closures may apply:
- Park Closure
Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road closed.
Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road (Heintooga Round-Bottom Road) are closed.
Details on nps.gov → - Park Closure
Park Headquarters Road is closed
Park Headquarters Road is closed due to rehabilitation work on the Sugarlands water and wastewater systems.
- Park Closure
Cherokee Orchard Road Closed to Pedestrian Traffic
Cherokee Orchard Road is currently closed to pedestrian traffic due to bear activity. All visitors must stay in their vehicles. Do not stop or park your vehicle in the roadway.
- Park Closure
Kuwohi Road Closure
Kuwohi Road is closed due to forecasted ice creating hazardous driving conditions.
Details on nps.gov →
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Information
Most visitors need a parking tag
All vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes require a parking tag. Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types: Daily ($5), Weekly ($15), or Annual ($40).
Details on nps.gov →
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Great Smoky Mountains crowds across the year
Alternatives
Quieter nearby in May
FAQ
Great Smoky Mountains in May
How busy is Great Smoky Mountains in May?
May rates 7/10 for crowds (Busy) at Great Smoky Mountains National Park — about 68% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 1,115,408.
What is the weather like at Great Smoky Mountains in May?
In May, Great Smoky Mountains averages a high of 76°F and a low of 52°F, with about 4.7 inches of precipitation.
How much does it cost to visit Great Smoky Mountains?
Entry to Great Smoky Mountains is free.
When is Great Smoky Mountains least crowded?
Great Smoky Mountains is quietest in January and February. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
How many hours of daylight does Great Smoky Mountains get in May?
In mid-May, Great Smoky Mountains gets about 14.1 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 4:28 AM and sunset around 6:32 PM.