ParkFacts

All parks › National Mall and Memorial Parks

National Mall and Memorial Parks: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

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

Entrance fee
None[1]

National Mall and Memorial Parks is a unit of the U.S. National Park System in the District of Columbia[2]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee[1].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for National Mall and Memorial Parks[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

NPS says the sites are open to the public 24 hours a day, except the Washington Monument[3]. The Washington Monument opens daily at 9 AM and closes at 5 PM[4]. It closes one day a month for cleaning, and it is also closed on July 4 and December 25[4]. Rangers answer questions starting at 9:30 AM, finishing at 8 PM in November through February[3]. In March through October they stay until 10 PM[3]. NPS describes four seasons in Washington, with summer highs averaging 86 degrees and winter highs averaging 45 degrees[5]. Summer can reach into the 100s[5]. Confirm hours on the official park page before you go.

Pets and dogs

The national rule says where pets are allowed, they must be kept in a crate or cage, or on a leash of six feet or less[6]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on public transportation, with service animals excepted[6]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 7 of the 10 listed things to do[7]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so check the park page[6].

Before you go

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee for National Mall and Memorial Parks?
NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee[1].
What are the hours?
The sites are open 24 hours a day[3]. The Washington Monument is the exception, with daily hours of 9 AM to 5 PM[4].
Are dogs allowed?
Where pets are allowed, they must be kept in a crate or cage, or on a leash of six feet or less[6]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings[6].
What is the weather like?
NPS says Washington has all four seasons, with summer highs averaging 86 degrees and winter highs averaging 45 degrees[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NPS lists National Mall and Memorial Parks as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
  2. National Mall and Memorial Parks is a unit of the U.S. National Park System in the District of Columbia. National Park Service
  3. Operating hours, National Mall and Memorial Parks Sites: The public may visit the sites of National Mall and Memorial Parks 24 hours a day, with the exception of the Washington Monument which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rangers are on duty at the sites to... National Park Service
  4. Operating hours, Washington Monument: This site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. It has a regular one day a month closure for cleaning. It is also closed on Independence Day July 4 and Christmas Day December 25. BY MONTH 2026 CLOSURE DATES for... National Park Service
  5. NPS weather and seasons overview for National Mall and Memorial Parks. 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 10 things to do at National Mall and Memorial Parks: Multi-Park Loop, Orange Line - DC Metro, Green Line - DC Metro, Yellow Line - DC Metro, Golf in DC's National Parks, Visit National Mall and Memorial Parks, Walk Around the Tidal Basin, Reflect... 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.