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Park Service site · District of Columbia

Washington Monument

Park Service site in District of Columbia. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypePark Service site
StateDistrict of Columbia
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkShenandoah (75 mi)
Closest airportDCA (3 mi)
Washington Monument at Dusk
The Monument stands against the backdrop of night Photo: NPS Photo

Washington Monument is a park service site run by the National Park Service in District of Columbia.

In the park service’s words

Built to honor George Washington, the United States' first president, the 555-foot marble obelisk towers over Washington, D.C.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Visit the Washington Monument (15 to 90 Minutes): Did you know you can go to the top of the Washington Monument? You can! But you will need to plan ahead. Tickets are required to visit the interior of the Washington Monument.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee. Timed tickets are required to enter the Washington Monument and ride the elevator to the observation deck. Advance tickets are available online at recreation.gov. Same-day tickets are available at the Washington Monument Lodge ticket window, located at the rear of the building, while supplies last. Parking: Street parking is located on Madison Drive NW, Jefferson Drive SW, and Constitution Drive NW. Metered lot parking is located at the Paddle Boat parking lot, accessed via southbound Maine Ave. SW.

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Operating Hours The Washington Monument is open daily except July 3, July 4 and December 25. Regular Hours 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Last tour begins by 4:00 p.m.

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

GPS Coordinates: 38.889463, -77.035237 Address: 2 15th St. NW Washington, D.C. Nearest Intersection: 15th St. & Madison Dr. NW

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 experiences 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 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 75 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Washington Monument?

No entrance fee.

Where is Washington Monument?

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

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