Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Manhattan Project National Historical Park is a national historical park run by the National Park Service in 3 states.

In the park service’s words

The Manhattan Project is one of the most transformative events of the 20th century. It ushered in the nuclear age with the development of the world’s first atomic bombs. Most of this development took place in three secret communities located in Hanford, WA, Los Alamos, NM and Oak Ridge, TN. Today, you can visit these three sites that make up Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Hanford: Bike and Walk the Sacagawea Heritage Trail (1 to 4 Hours): This recreational trail along the Columbia River is a perfect way to explore the Tri-Cities on foot and bike. Interpretive signs along the route share information about local history including Lewis and Clark’s experience in the Mid-Columbia region. You can also take in panoramic views of the Columbia River, which was
• Hanford: Attend a B Reactor Tour (4 Hours): The US Department of Energy provides guided tours of the B Reactor. These tours provide a glimpse into the science and technology that made plutonium production possible on an industrial scale and helped launch the nuclear age.
• Los Alamos: Tour Behind the Fence (4 Hours): Take a tour behind the fence of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• Oak Ridge: Join a Ranger Program (1 to 4 Hours): Oak Ridge ranger programs are a great way to explore the remarkable history of the Manhattan Project. Follow the link for more information on types of programs and availability.
• Oak Ridge: Experience a Guided Tour Behind the Fence (3 Hours): Guided bus tours of Manhattan Project sites in Oak Ridge provide visitors an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse of some of the most revolutionary science of the 20th century. Follow the link to learn how to register for a guided tour.
• Hanford: Visit the Museum at Keewaydin (2 Hours): Located in Kennewick's oldest park, the Museum at Keewaydin shares the history of east Benton County and communities that were close to the Manhattan Project. The museum's collections include cultural ephemera, fossils, a butterfly and insect collection, a petrified wood floor and artifacts from European settlers and W
• Hanford: Visit LIGO (2 Hours): The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) is a modern example of cutting-edge research that has ties to the Hanford Site. Built on the site in Washington in the 1990s, LIGO uses laser interferometers to detect gravitational waves, which helps in studies of major stellar events like the collision of
• Oak Ridge: Visit the Oak Ridge History Museum: The Oak Ridge History Museum, opened in 2019, houses a wealth of exhibits dedicated to the human history of Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project. Exhibits include a detailed timeline of Oak Ridge’s history, and the largest collection of original photographs from Ed Westcott, the official Army Corps of Engineers photo

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Mon 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Tue 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat Closed; Sun Closed. The Hanford Visitor Center is open Monday - Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. Access to the Hanford B Reactor is suspended due to major construction projects. To check for updates about these tours, visit http://manhattanprojectbreactor.hanford.gov/. Separate tours of the Historic Sites are offered beginning in May. For more information about these tours, visit http://tours.hanford.gov/HistoricTours/.

Lodging

• Fuller Lodge: Fuller Lodge served as the dining hall for the Los Alamos Ranch School and as a community center for Manhattan Project workers. By far the largest of the remaining school buildings, Fuller Lodge over the years has played an important role in the Los Alamos community. Today, it is an art center.
• Pond Cabin: From the outside, Pond Cabin looks like any typical Southwestern ranch building. Its rustic appearance belies the role it played in groundbreaking plutonium research. During the Manhattan Project, Emilio Segrè used the cabin as an office for his plutonium research team. This building is on Los Alamo
• Romero Cabin: One of the earliest homesteader cabins on the Pajarito Plateau, the Romero cabin offers a unique glimpse into life in Los Alamos before the Manhattan Project. Picturing Los Alamos as a farming community may stretch the imagination, but it helps to better understand the history of this area. The cabi
• The Guest House (Alexander Inn): The Guest House accommodated Manhattan Project luminaries in Oak Ridge. Today, the Guest House is called the Alexander Inn, and it is an assisted living facility. You are welcome to view the small museum in the lobby, but please be respectful of current residents.

Getting there

Manhattan Project National Historical Park is located in three states: New Mexico, Tennessee, and Washington. For more information on accessing each of these three units, visit our Directions & Transportation page.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Hanford Visitor Center: Mon 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Tue 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat Closed; Sun Closed. The Hanford Visitor Center is open Monday - Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. The Hanford Visitor Center is closed Wednesdays from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM. Access to the Hanford B Reactor is suspended due to major construction projects set to begin Spring of 2025. To check for updates about these tours, visit http://manhattanprojectbreactor.hanford.gov/. Separate tours of the Historic Sites are offered beginning in May. For more information about these tours, visit http://tours.hanford.gov/HistoricTours/.
• Los Alamos Visitor Center: Mon 10:00AM - 3:00PM; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 10:00AM - 3:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 3:00PM; Sun 10:00AM - 3:00PM. The Los Alamos Visitor Center operates with the support of volunteers. Hours are subject to change due to staff schedules, weather, and other factors.
• Oak Ridge Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Wed 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 1:00PM - 4:00PM. The Oak Ridge Visitor Center is located in the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge. Visitor Center services are limited on Sundays, but brochures, maps, and site films are available. The Visitor Center is closed on: New Year’s Eve, New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
• Tri-Cities Visitor Center: Mon 8:00AM - 5:00PM; Tue 8:00AM - 5:00PM; Wed 8:00AM - 5:00PM; Thu 8:00AM - 5:00PM; Fri 8:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat Closed; Sun Closed. Standard operating hours.

Weather

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park has units in Hanford, WA, Los Alamos, NM, and Oak Ridge, TN. Check local weather conditions at each unit before you visit.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Great Sand Dunes, about 135 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Manhattan Project National Historical Park (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.