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Frederick Douglass National Historic Site: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is a National Park System unit in the District of Columbia[4]. NPS lists a $1 timed entry reservation fee for the home tour, and it says tickets are required to tour the home[5][6].
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[5] | $1 |
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[7] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[7] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[7] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[7] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[7] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[7] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[7] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[7] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[7] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS says the historic house offers guided tours at set times from Tuesday through Saturday[8]. From October 1 through March 31[8] the listed hours start at 9:00 a.m.[8] and end at 4:30 p.m.[8]. From April 1 through September 30[8] they start at 9:00 a.m.[8] and end at 5:00 p.m.[8]. NPS also lists exceptions to the regular schedule for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in 2026[8]. In 2025 the busiest month was July with 4,820 recreation visits[1]. NPS lists winter temperatures of 30 to 50 F with occasional snow, and summer temperatures of 70 to 90 F with high humidity[9].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 1,309 |
| February | 1,536 |
| March | 3,510 |
| April | 3,190 |
| May | 3,659 |
| June | 4,053 |
| July | 4,820 |
| August | 2,692 |
| September | 1,869 |
| October | 0 |
| November | 1,445 |
| December | 1,295 |
Pets and dogs
The national NPS pet rule says pets must be kept in a crate or cage, or on a leash of six feet or less, where they are allowed[10]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, with service animals excepted, and individual parks may restrict pets in additional areas[10]. NPS lists pets as permitted for 1 of the 7 things to do here, the Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East[11].
Before you go
- Book a home tour in advance online, because NPS says tours frequently fill to capacity[6].
- The visitor center desk may have same-day tickets, and you do not need a ticket to visit the visitor center itself[6].
- NPS lists the America the Beautiful Resident Annual Pass at $80 and the Senior Lifetime Pass at $80[7].
- Fees and hours change, so confirm them on the official NPS park page before you go[5][8].
Questions people ask
- Do you need a reservation to tour Frederick Douglass's home?
- NPS says timed tickets are required to visit the historic home and asks visitors to book online in advance[6]. The visitor center desk may have same-day tickets[6].
- How much does it cost to visit Frederick Douglass National Historic Site?
- NPS lists a Timed Entry Reservation fee of $1[5]. Check the official park page for current fees[5].
Facts and sources
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 1,807, 2022: 211, 2023: 12,904, 2024: 25,836, 2025: 29,378. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Frederick Douglass NHS Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Frederick Douglass 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: $1. National Park Service
- Timed entry or reservation note from NPS (Timed tickets required to visit the historic home): To tour the home, book a reservation in advance online. Same-day tickets may be available at the visitor center desk. Tours frequently fill to capacity. Tickets... National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- Operating hours, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site: The historic house is open for guided tours at scheduled times Tuesday through Saturday; hours vary by season, and reservations are strongly encouraged. The site is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Frederick Douglass 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
- NPS lists 7 things to do at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site: Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East, Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps, Become a Frederick Douglass NHS Junior Ranger, Discover Frederick... National Park Service