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Lincoln Memorial: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Lincoln Memorial is a unit of the U.S. National Park System in the District of Columbia[3]. NPS lists the memorial as open to the public daily, while a ticket is needed for the lower level museum and undercroft[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[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[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 lists the Lincoln Memorial as open 24 hours and open to the public daily[4]. Restrooms, museums and elevators shut in the evening[4]. NPS also lists Christmas Day, 2026-12-25, as an exception[4]. In 2025 the busiest month was April with 943,189 recreation visits, and the quietest was January with 348,917[1]. NPS describes four seasons in Washington, DC. Summer highs average 86 degrees and winter highs average 45 degrees[7]. NPS says timed entry tickets are required for the lower level museum and the undercroft[8].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 348,917 |
| February | 362,411 |
| March | 883,541 |
| April | 943,189 |
| May | 848,224 |
| June | 697,504 |
| July | 703,627 |
| August | 736,587 |
| September | 586,261 |
| October | 633,600 |
| November | 543,861 |
| December | 455,573 |
Pets and dogs
The NPS pet rule says that where pets are allowed they must be kept in a crate or cage or on a leash of six feet or less, and pets are not allowed in public buildings[9]. Service animals are excepted[9]. NPS marks pets as permitted on its one listed thing to do here, Reflect on Lincoln's Legacy[10]. Parks can restrict pets in additional areas, so check the official page[9].
Before you go
- A Timed Entry Reservation for the museum and undercroft is listed by NPS at $1[5].
- NPS lists advance booking on recreation.gov up to 30 days out, with a maximum of 6 tickets per person[5].
- Same day tickets are listed at the Korean War Veterans Memorial from June 25, 2026[8].
- NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[6].
- Fees and hours change, so confirm on the official NPS park page before your trip.
Questions people ask
- Do you need a ticket for the Lincoln Memorial?
- NPS says you need a ticket for the lower level museum and undercroft[5]. Timed entry tickets are needed there[8].
- How much is the Lincoln Memorial timed entry ticket?
- NPS lists the Timed Entry Reservation at $1[5]. You may reserve up to 30 days ahead via recreation.gov[5].
- What are the Lincoln Memorial hours?
- NPS lists the memorial as open 24 hours and open to the public daily[4]. Restrooms, museums and elevators shut in the evening[4].
Facts and sources
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 5,792,331, 2022: 7,825,397, 2023: 8,099,148, 2024: 8,479,349, 2025: 7,743,295. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Lincoln Memorial is a unit of the U.S. National Park System in the District of Columbia. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Open 24 hours: The Lincoln Memorial is open to the public daily. Restrooms, museums and elevators close in the evenings. Listed exceptions: Christmas Day 2026-12-25 to 2026-12-25. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Timed Entry Reservation - Location: $1. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Lincoln Memorial. National Park Service
- Timed entry or reservation note from NPS (Museum and Undercroft Tickets): Timed entry tickets are required to visit the undercroft and museum on the lower level. For advance reservations, visit Recreation.gov or call 877‑444‑6777 beginning May 26, 2026.... 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 1 things to do at Lincoln Memorial: Reflect on Lincoln's Legacy. Pets permitted on 1 of them (Reflect on Lincoln's Legacy). National Park Service