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Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Entrance fee
None[1]
Visitor centers
1[2]

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is a unit of the National Park System in the District of Columbia[3]. NPS lists it as fee-free, so there is no entrance fee[1].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

The NPS listing for Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens gives daily opening at 8:00 AM and closing at 4:00 PM[4]. The listing also shows Summer Hours from 2027-06-03 to 2027-09-06[4]. Listed exceptions to the regular hours include Thanksgiving Day on 2026-11-26, Christmas Day on 2026-12-25 and New Year's Day on 2027-01-01[4]. NPS says June to September is warm and humid, and July and August are the warmest months[5]. NPS notes that humid days can bring late afternoon showers and thunderstorms[5]. January is the coldest month, and NPS puts daytime highs in the low 40s[5].

Pets and dogs

The national NPS pet rule[6] says pets must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet where they are allowed[6]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, and service animals are excepted[6]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 6 of its 7 listed things to do here, and each park can close more areas to pets[7][6].

Before you go

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens?
NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee[1].
What are the opening hours?
The NPS listing gives daily opening at 8:00 AM and closing at 4:00 PM, with listed exceptions for Summer Hours and some holidays[4].
Are dogs allowed?
Where pets are allowed, they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet[6]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, and each park can close more areas to pets[6].
What is the weather like in summer?
NPS describes June to September as warm and humid, with July and August the warmest months[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NPS lists Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
  2. Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Visitor Center). National Park Service
  3. Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is a unit of the U.S. National Park System in the District of Columbia. National Park Service
  4. Operating hours, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens: Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Listed exceptions: Summer Hours 2027-06-03 to 2027-09-06; Thanksgiving Day 2026-11-26 to 2026-11-26; Christmas Day 2026-12-25 to 2026-12-25; New Year's Day 2027-01-01 to... National Park Service
  5. NPS weather and seasons overview for Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens. National Park Service
  6. 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
  7. NPS lists 7 things to do at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens: Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East, Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps, Orange Line - DC Metro, Take a walk through Kenilworth Park and Aquatic... National Park Service
  8. Activities NPS lists for Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens: Arts and Culture, Craft Demonstrations, Cultural Demonstrations, Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching,... National Park Service

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.