15 Best National Parks to Visit in May
1. Congaree National Park SC for Fireflies →
100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, map
Average Temperatures: 81° F / 59° F
Average Sunrise / Sunset Times: 6:21 AM / 8:17 PM
Why Visit: The biggest highlight of the park is the synchronous fireflies that occur every year between mid-May and mid-June. During this time, the fireflies search for their mates and synchronize their flashes. It’s a truly magical natural phenomenon. When we visited, we had missed it by two days.
Best For / Top Activities: Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Fishing, Camping
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Boardwalk Loop Trail, Canoe or Kayak, Bluff Trail
- Wildlife – Bobcats, Deer, Feral Pigs, Coyotes, Armadillos, Otters
- How many days do you need? 1-2
Pro Tip: Other places to see synchronous fireflies include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Rainbow Falls in TN, Rocky Fork State Park in TN, Cataloochee Valley in NC, and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in NC.