Fees & Passes

Changes to Entrance Fees and Passes in 2026

Learn about a few upcoming changes to entrance fees and passes for non-US residents and motorcycles that begin on January 1, 2026.

Key Information

1. Tickets to the Observation Deck

   A ticket is required to visit the observation deck at the top of the Memorial. Tickets are sold day-of, first-come, first-served in the Visitor Center, and can sell out as early as 2 pm on the weekend.

   Reservations and timed entry

2. Plan to go cashless

   This park does not accept cash.

Reservations and Timed Entry

Memorial Observation Deck Reservation

May 17–Oct 27

Required to go up the Memorial to the observation deck.

Cost

$10.00

A ticket is required to visit the observation deck at the top of the Memorial. Tickets are sold daily in the visitor center from 10 am to 5:45 pm in 15-minute time slots and can sell out as early as 2 pm on the weekend. Children 15 and under are free and must be accompanied by an adult. An annual pass that covers the pass holder and three adults is available for $35.00. America the Beautiful Passes are also accepted.

Show lessabout Memorial Observation Deck Reservation

The visitor center, the Memorial plaza and rotunda, and park grounds are free. Tours to the Observation Deck start every 15 minutes. A ticket with a scheduled entry time is required to ride the elevator to the observation deck. Sunset Tours and Night Sky Tours are occasionally offered throughout the season for an extra fee of $20.00 per person.

2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• February 16: Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
• May 25: Memorial Day
• June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
• July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
• August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
• September 17: Constitution Day
• October 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
• November 11: Veterans Day

Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.