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Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is a National Memorial in California and a unit of the National Park System[5]. NPS lists no entrance fee, and visits happen only by reservation on a ranger-guided tour[1][6].
Entrance fees and passes
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.
When to visit and hours
The memorial sits on an active base, so NPS says access is through a reservation made two weeks ahead[6]. Tours run on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays and last about an hour and a half, beginning at 12:30 PM[6]. NPS lists no access on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day, with the 2026 and 2027 dates given in its hours[6]. NPS says it can be windy and cold in any season, and there is no shelter apart from the shuttle[7]. NPS suggests a light jacket in summer and a coat in other seasons[7]. In 2025 the busiest month was July with 310 recreation visits, and April, May, October and November had 0[2].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 99 |
| February | 173 |
| March | 46 |
| April | 0 |
| May | 0 |
| June | 90 |
| July | 310 |
| August | 50 |
| September | 6 |
| October | 0 |
| November | 0 |
| December | 8 |
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet, and they are not allowed in public buildings or on public transportation[8]. NPS lists pets as permitted on the Port Chicago Memorial Tour, and each park can close more areas to pets[9][8].
Before you go
- NPS lists the park as fee-free, but confirm on the official park page before you go[1].
- Reserve the Port Chicago Memorial Tour ahead, since NPS lists a reservation as required[9][6].
- NPS lists one visitor center, the Temporary Port Chicago Visitor Center[4].
- NPS also lists a park film among the activities[10].
- Bring a jacket, because NPS notes the waterfront can be windy and cold[7].
Questions people ask
- Is there an entrance fee at Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial?
- NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee[1]. Confirm on the official park page before a trip.
- Do I need a reservation to visit?
- Yes. NPS says public access is through a reservation made two weeks in advance, on a ranger-guided tour[6].
- What days and times are tours offered?
- NPS lists Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays, with a tour of about an hour and a half starting at 12:30 PM[6].
- Are dogs allowed?
- NPS lists pets as permitted on the Port Chicago Memorial Tour[9]. They must be on a leash no longer than six feet or crated[8].
- What is the weather like?
- NPS says it can be windy and cold in any season, with no shelter apart from the shuttle[7].
Facts and sources
- NPS lists Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 568, 2022: 1,129, 2023: 764, 2024: 930, 2025: 782. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Temporary Port Chicago Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Memorial) in California. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial: The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is located on Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) and is an active base. Due to its location, tours are only available with reservations... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. 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 Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial: Port Chicago Memorial Tour. Pets permitted on 1 of them (Port Chicago Memorial Tour). Reservation required for 1. National Park Service
- Activities NPS lists for Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial: Guided Tours, Park Film. National Park Service