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Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is a National Park System unit in New York[4]. NPS lists a $15 per person entrance fee, and the mansion can only be seen on a guided tour[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.
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[7].
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[8].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[9] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[9] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[9] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[9] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[9] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[9] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS says the grounds are open every day apart from three holidays, New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas[10]. Mansion tours run daily in winter and spring, with the first tour at about 10 AM and the last at 3:30 PM[11]. Each tour takes about 1 hour, and tickets are first come, first served at the Visitor Center[11]. Tour times can change and follow seasonal schedules, with a summer and fall period listed from 2026-05-21 to 2026-11-15[11]. In 2025 the busiest month was July with 45,826 recreation visits[1]. The quietest month was October with 372[1]. Spring and fall temperatures run from 40°F to 70°F, and NPS names mid-October as peak leaf season[12]. Summer can be humid, and winter can bring ice, freezing rain and snow[12].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 12,515 |
| February | 14,264 |
| March | 23,577 |
| April | 29,950 |
| May | 35,862 |
| June | 33,805 |
| July | 45,826 |
| August | 35,809 |
| September | 34,089 |
| October | 372 |
| November | 13,361 |
| December | 15,610 |
Pets and dogs
The national NPS pet rule says pets have to be kept in a crate or cage or held on a leash of six feet or less where they are allowed, and they are not allowed in public buildings[13]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 4 of the 5 listed things to do, including the Formal Gardens and the Vanderbilt Riverfront Trail[14]. The park can close more areas to pets, so check the official page[13].
Before you go
- Entrance fees are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment[8].
- The Annual Entrance - Park pass costs $45 and covers the pass holder plus three persons aged 16 or older, for entrance fees only[6].
- The park accepts the America the Beautiful pass, and the Resident Annual Pass costs $80[7][9].
- Mansion tour tickets are handed out at the Pavilion Visitor Center[11][3].
- Fees and hours change, so confirm on the official NPS page before you go[5].
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee at Vanderbilt Mansion?
- NPS lists $15 per person, and entrance to the mansion is by guided tour only[5].
- Can I use the America the Beautiful pass?
- Yes, NPS says the park accepts it for entrance[7]. The Resident Annual Pass is listed at $80[9].
- What is the best time to visit Vanderbilt Mansion?
- In 2025 July was the busiest month with 45,826 visits and October the quietest with 372[1]. NPS names mid-October as peak leaf season[12].
Facts and sources
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 333,029, 2022: 326,012, 2023: 338,436, 2024: 406,077, 2025: 295,040. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Pavilion Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Historic Site) in New York. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $15. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $45. National Park Service
- Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- Operating hours, Park Grounds, Gardens, & Trails: Park and mansion tour hours vary by season. The grounds are open daily, except for New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Listed exceptions: February 2027-02-01 to 2027-02-28; March 2027-03-01... National Park Service
- Operating hours, Tours of the Vanderbilt Mansion: During the winter and spring months, tours of the Mansion are offered daily. The first tour usually starts at 10 AM with the last tour starting at 3:30 PM. Each tour's approximate length is 1 hour. Tour... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Vanderbilt Mansion 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 5 things to do at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site: Tour Vanderbilt Mansion, Explore Bard Rock, Hudson River Art Trail, Visit the Formal Gardens, Vanderbilt Riverfront Trail. Pets permitted on 4 of them (Explore Bard Rock, Hudson River... National Park Service