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Washington Monument: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
The Washington Monument is a National Park System site in the District of Columbia[3]. A timed ticket is needed to go inside and take the elevator up to the observation deck[4], and NPS lists a $1 processing fee for each advance reservation[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 - Park[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 says the monument opens daily, with closures on July 3, July 4 and December 25[7]. The doors open at 9:00 am and close at 5:00 pm, and the final tour begins by 4:00 pm[7]. NPS also lists a maintenance closure on 2027-01-10[7]. Advance tickets can be booked online at Recreation.gov, opening 30 days ahead, with more released 24 hours before the tour date[5]. In 2025 the busiest month was August, with 24,955 recreation visits[1]. NPS gives an average summer high of 86 degrees[8].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 6,732 |
| February | 9,679 |
| March | 23,407 |
| April | 23,082 |
| May | 23,866 |
| June | 20,225 |
| July | 18,175 |
| August | 24,955 |
| September | 22,415 |
| October | 0 |
| November | 12,329 |
| December | 19,624 |
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet or kept in a crate or cage where they are allowed[9]. Pets cannot go into public buildings, and service animals are an exception[9]. NPS lists 0 of its things to do here as open to pets[10].
Before you go
- Book ahead on Recreation.gov, or try for a free same-day ticket at the Washington Monument Lodge from 8:45 am[5].
- The same-day ticket window sits at the back of the Lodge, and tickets last only while supplies hold[4].
- NPS notes a maximum of 6 tickets[5].
- NPS lists street parking along Madison Drive NW, Constitution Drive NW and Jefferson Drive SW, plus a metered lot at the Paddle Boat parking area[11].
- Hours and fees change, so check the official NPS page before your trip.
Questions people ask
- Do you need tickets for the Washington Monument?
- Yes. NPS says a timed ticket is needed to go inside and take the elevator up to the observation deck[4]. Free same-day tickets are offered at the Lodge from 8:45 am, and advance online reservations carry a $1 processing fee[5].
- How far ahead can I reserve Washington Monument tickets?
- NPS says online booking starts 30 days ahead of your tour, and extra tickets are released 24 hours ahead[5].
Facts and sources
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 63,840, 2022: 260,317, 2023: 248,750, 2024: 247,208, 2025: 204,489. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Washington Monument is a unit of the U.S. National Park System in the District of Columbia. National Park Service
- Timed entry or reservation note from NPS (Timed tickets are required to tour the Washington Monument interior): Timed tickets are required to enter the Washington Monument and ride the elevator to the observation deck. Advance tickets are available online... National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Timed Entry Reservation - Park: $1. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- Operating hours, Regular Hours: Operating Hours The Washington Monument is open daily except July 3, July 4 and December 25. Regular Hours 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Last tour begins by 4:00 p.m. Listed exceptions: Maintenance Closures 2027-01-10 to 2027-01-10... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Washington Monument. 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 Washington Monument: Visit the Washington Monument. Pets permitted on 0 of them. Reservation required for 1. National Park Service
- Parking or transportation fee note from NPS: Street parking is located on Madison Drive NW, Jefferson Drive SW, and Constitution Drive NW. Metered lot parking is located at the Paddle Boat parking lot, accessed via southbound Maine Ave. SW. National Park Service