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Ford's Theatre National Historic Site: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Ford's Theatre National Historic Site is a unit of the National Park System in the District of Columbia[3]. NPS lists a $5 timed entry reservation for the site, and reservations are required[4][5].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Timed Entry Reservation - Location[4] | $5 |
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[6] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[6] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[6] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[6] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[6] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[6] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[6] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[6] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[6] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS describes the site as generally open daily, 7 days a week, from 9 AM until 5 PM[7]. Tickets and reservations open at the box office at 8:30 AM each day[7]. The theatre is still in use for shows, so some areas, mainly the theatre itself, may close or keep different hours[7]. NPS lists closures on Thanksgiving, 2026-11-26, and Christmas, 2026-12-25[7]. In 2025 the busiest month was April with 67,908 recreation visits[1]. Washington DC has four seasons, and NPS lists an average summer high of 86 degrees and a winter high of 45 degrees[8].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 13,083 |
| February | 18,993 |
| March | 58,819 |
| April | 67,908 |
| May | 65,823 |
| June | 48,852 |
| July | 34,281 |
| August | 21,388 |
| September | 17,198 |
| October | 0 |
| November | 14,807 |
| December | 32,510 |
Pets and dogs
The national NPS pet rule says pets must be kept in a carrier or on a leash of six feet or shorter where they are allowed, and they are not allowed in public buildings, with service animals excepted[9]. Individual parks may restrict pets in additional areas[9].
Before you go
- Reserve ahead. NPS advises buying tickets at least one day in advance[5].
- Up to 6 tickets can be bought per customer[5].
- Some same-day tickets at the box office may be free, but only while supplies last[5].
- Parking is in an independent garage next to the theatre, and fees are not validated[10].
- Check the official NPS page for current fees and hours before you go[7].
Questions people ask
- How much does it cost to visit Ford's Theatre?
- NPS lists a Timed Entry Reservation at $5[4]. NPS also says there is no park entrance fee, and the reservation fee supports the Ford's Theatre Society, the park partner[5].
- Do I need a reservation for Ford's Theatre?
- NPS says timed reservations are required because space is limited[5]. Some same-day tickets at the box office may be free, but only while supplies last[5].
- What are the hours at Ford's Theatre?
- NPS describes the site as generally open daily, 7 days a week, from 9 AM until 5 PM, with the box office opening at 8:30 AM[7]. Parts of the site may be closed or have modified hours[7].
- Are dogs allowed at Ford's Theatre?
- Under the national NPS pet rule, pets are not allowed in public buildings, with service animals excepted[9].
Facts and sources
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 101,146, 2022: 319,596, 2023: 393,214, 2024: 457,132, 2025: 393,662. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Ford's Theatre National Historic Site is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Historic Site) in the District of Columbia. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Timed Entry Reservation - Location: $5. National Park Service
- Timed entry or reservation note from NPS (Timed reservations required): While there is no park entrance fee, timed reservations are required due to space limitations. Limit 6 tickets per customer. These reservations carry a small fee that benefits the... National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- Operating hours, Theatre Hours: Ford's Theatre National Historic Site is generally open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The box office opens daily at 8:30 a.m. for tickets and reservations. As Ford's is a working theatre, parts of the site,... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Ford's Theatre National Historic Site. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- Parking or transportation fee note from NPS: Ford’s Theatre is located near the Metro Center and Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stations. An independent parking garage is located directly next to the theatre. Parking fees are not validated. National Park Service