Notice to Public: Closures for National Independence Day Celebration

Notice to the Public

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.5, beginning on July 3, 2026, the National Park Service (NPS) is imposing a temporary closure of, and public use limit in, certain designated parklands at the National Mall and Memorial Parks in conjunction with the National Independence Day Celebration, as delineated in the map below and as further delineated by fencing or other physical barriers. Additional public entry may be suspended for safety if NPS determines attendance in the park area is too dense to safely support additional entry. These closures and public use limits are necessary to provide for public and participant safety and event security needs, as confirmed by the evaluation of the United States Park Police. These temporary closures, further described below, will remain in place in some areas through approximately midnight on July 4th, 2026. Closures will be lifted as soon as they are no longer necessary, restoring access to the public as soon as practicable. Violation is prohibited.

Unless otherwise noted, it is anticipated that USPP personnel will restrict vehicle access at the following locations and times—all times are local.

Specifically, there will be temporary visitor access restrictions of the following locations:

Jefferson Memorial Area, bounded by East Basin Drive

• Starting at approximately 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, the site will be fully closed to the public.
• Starting at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, the site will be open to the public, subject to security screening.

East Potomac Park

• Will close to vehicular traffic no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 4, 2026, or earlier on July 4, 2026, as determined by the USPP, if resources are being impacted by illegal parking, or traffic is becoming unmanageable and impacting Interstate 395. This closure will start with Hains Point, then proceed to the I-395 ramps and interior roads as needed. The public will be notified using Variable Message Boards on the ramps and via public information systems, including United States Park Policy social media advisories.

Saturday July 4, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to midnight the following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic.

• East Basin Drive

Tidal Basin Paddle Boat Parking Lot

• Starting at 10:00 p.m. on July 3, 2026, the site will close for both vehicle and pedestrian access, as part of the secure perimeter. Pedestrian closures will end at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026, and vehicle closures will end at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026.

Water-based access to West Potomac Park

• Due to the U.S. Coast Guard's temporary security zone established for the July 4, 2026, National Special Security Event (NSSE), no vessel may land or disembark passengers within West Potomac Park during periods when the applicable Coast Guard security zone is in effect. Water-based access to West Potomac Park, including passenger drop-offs and pick-ups, is prohibited except as authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard or the Captain of the Port. The applicable security zone encompasses portions of the Potomac River and adjacent waterways as established by the U.S. Coast Guard.

For the park areas included within the secure public viewing area, the public will be allowed entry following security screening measures. Persons passing through these screening measures will be prohibited from possessing the following items:

• Alcohol
• Ammunition of any kind
• Balloons
• Bladed, Edged, or Sharp Tools or Implements
• Coolers/Thermal Containers larger than 36 quarts (15”x15”x32” max)
• Club-like Items and potential Striking Devices (includes selfie sticks and golf umbrellas)
• Destructive Devices, Explosives, or Combustible Chemical Compounds and Mixtures
• Disabling Chemicals Including Mace and Pepper Spray
• Firearms and Projectile Weapons
• Glass Bottles or Containers
• Laser Pointers
• Packages (includes wrapped packages, parcels, containers, or bundles where the inside cannot be visually inspected, including gift wrapped or plain paper wrapped packages)
• Structures (includes props and displays such as coffins, crates, crosses, theaters, cages, and statues; furniture and furnishings such as desks, tables, bookcases, cabinets, platforms, podiums and lecterns; shelters such tents, boxes and other enclosures; wagons and cars; except wheelchairs in active use by people with disabilities, strollers, bicycles without motorized components, and small umbrellas are not included in this restriction)
• Personal Fireworks
• Supports for Signs (cannot exceed four (4) feet in length, one-quarter (1/4) inch in thickness and may not have sharp points or be made of wood, steel, or metal).
• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
• Weapons of any kind
• Any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard

The National Park Service appreciates the public’s cooperation in this matter.

 

Map of Road Closures