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Park Service site · District of Columbia

National Mall and Memorial Parks

Park Service site in District of Columbia. No entrance fee. 1 hikes listed.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypePark Service site
StateDistrict of Columbia
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkShenandoah (76 mi)
Closest airportDCA (3 mi)
Aerial of the west side of National Mall and Memorial Parks
Honoring our Nation Photo: NPS Photo

National Mall and Memorial Parks is a park service site run by the National Park Service in District of Columbia.

In the park service’s words

This is where the nation comes to remember and where history is made. As “America’s Front Yard,” the National Mall and Memorial Parks is home to many of our country’s most iconic memorials telling the story of people and events that shaped us as a nation. Each year, millions of people come to recreate, commemorate presidential legacies, honor our veterans, and make their voices heard.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Multi-Park Loop: Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on seven different National Historic or National Scenic trails!
  • Orange Line - DC Metro (1 to 2 Days): Discover lotus and lily flowers at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, or explore the many memorials just a short walk from the Orange Line. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
  • Green Line - DC Metro (1 to 2 Days): History, culture and nature come together to provide a variety of parks for visitors utilizing the Green Line. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
  • Yellow Line - DC Metro (1 to 2 Days): Explore Washington, DC from top to bottom on the Yellow Line. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
  • Golf in DC's National Parks: Visit one of three golf courses at National Parks in Washington, DC
  • Visit National Mall and Memorial Parks (1 to 7 Days): Each year, millions of people visit the National Mall and Memorial Parks to recreate, to commemorate presidential legacies, to honor our nation's veterans, to make their voices heard, and to celebrate our nation's commitment to freedom and equality.
  • Walk Around the Tidal Basin (1 to 3 Hours): The Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the Washington Monument are easily visible along the two mile long Tidal Basin Loop Trail.
  • Reflect at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial (1 to 2 Hours): The Vietnam Women’s Memorial is located on the National Mall, just north of the Reflecting Pool. The memorial was dedicated in 1993 and portrays two women caring for a fallen soldier.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. The public may visit the sites of National Mall and Memorial Parks 24 hours a day, with the exception of the Washington Monument which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rangers are on duty at the sites to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in November - February. They are on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. in March - October. Rangers offer interpretive programs daily and provide programs and information upon request. Rangers and volunteers will not be available Dec. 25, the park is still open to visitors.

Lodging

  • Survey Lodge: When the Washington Monument first opened, its elevator relied on steam generated by boilers in this building. The building is now a ranger station and is not open to the public.
  • Washington Monument Lodge: When the Washington Monument first opened, its elevator relied on steam generated by boilers in this building. The building is now houses a book store, restrooms, and a ticket booth.

Getting there

National Mall and Memorial Parks preserves more than one thousand acres of federal parkland in Washington, DC, including: the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, DC War Memorial, and East and West Potomac Parks; Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site, Ford's Theatre National Historic Site.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Washington, DC No road route 3 Large hub
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Dulles, VA No road route 23 Large hub
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Baltimore, MD No road route 28 Large hub

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.

Weather

Washington, DC has all four seasons. Humidity will make the temps feel hotter in summer and colder in winter. Spring (March - May) Temp: Average high is 65.5 degrees with a low of 46.5 degrees Summer (June - August) Temp: Average high is 86 degrees with a low of 68.5 degrees. Can get into the 100s. Fall (September - November) Temp: Average high is 68 degrees with a low of 51.5 degrees Winter (December - February) Temp: Average high is 45 degrees with a low of 30 degrees (Source: www.usclimatedata.com)

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 Shenandoah, about 76 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at National Mall and Memorial Parks?

No entrance fee.

Where is National Mall and Memorial Parks?

In District of Columbia. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, about 3 miles away.

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