Late spring (May–June) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to visit Beiwudang. Summer is hot on the exposed upper ridges and July can bring heavy rain that turns the approach tracks to mud. Winter closes the upper temple area and can make the staircase icy. Autumn is particularly rewarding — the mountain's deciduous oak and shrub layer turns orange and yellow from October, the air is clear, and the pilgrim crowds that concentrate on major Taoist festivals have subsided.
The main Taoist festival periods — particularly around the third lunar month and the summer solstice — bring larger numbers of Chinese pilgrims. These are interesting to witness but mean the temples are busier and accommodation at the base fills quickly.