Port Chicago Memorial Tour (U.S. National Park Service)

A park entrance sign in foreground. A pathway meanders along the waterfront. — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial.
NPS Photo, Luther Bailey.

Visiting the Memorial

Important: The memorial is on an active military base and requires advance reservations. Please see our website for details on how to reserve a tour. Please be aware that the base is not always available for tours.

A guided tour of the Port Chicago disaster starts with visitors being picked up in a park shuttle at the John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, California. A ranger will provide interpretive dialog which helps the visitor to learn more about the Port Chicago disaster. Being at the memorial allows the visitor to stand where the explosion took place, as well as viewing the dedication memorials that provide names and information about this historical event. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions.

The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is a memorial dedicated in 1994 recognizing the dead of the Port Chicago disaster, and the critical role played by Port Chicago, California during World War II. The memorial is located at the Concord Naval Weapons Station near Concord, California, in the United States.

The 1944 Port Chicago disaster occurred at the naval magazine and resulted in the largest domestic loss of life during World War II. 320 sailors and civilians were instantly killed on July 17, 1944, when the ships they were loading with ammunition and bombs exploded. The majority of the deaths were African American sailors working for the racially segregated military. The explosion and its aftermath led to the largest Naval mutiny in US history, and it and the subsequent trial became major catalysts for the United States Navy to desegregate following the war.

Reservations are Required (click for more information)

Tours require advance reservations and guided, only.

Please be aware that pets are not allowed at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, unless they are Service Animals.

The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

The memorial is on an active military base and is not accessbile to the public without advance reservations and a guided tour. Guests will start at the John Muir National Historic site where they will watch a park film on the Port Chicago Disaster and then be transported to the memorial. Reservations can take up to two weeks. Due to nature of a working military base, the memorial is something unavailable for tours for weeks at a time. Please see our website for information on how to make a reservation.

Advance reservations are required. The memorial is on an active military base. Please see our website for more information.

Occasionally, the base is closed due to operations. We are only aware of the closing times when we are notified. We work to keep the website updated with this information. Please contact the park if you have any questions.

Visitors with physical/mobility needs:

Visitors are picked up in NPS vehicles that are equipped with wheelchair lifts, and driven to and from the memorial. The park film is shown in the John Muir NHS visitor center. The memorial grounds are level and wheelchair accessible. There is seating provided at the memorial grounds. A park wheelchair is available on request.

Information for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing:

Visitors have park wayside exhibits, park handouts, and the park website for information about the park. Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is dedicated to providing a rich experience for all visitors, and we are happy to offer sign language interpretation for public programs upon request. Because we do not have a sign language interpreter on staff, please contact the park with your request at least two weeks in advance of your visit, or when you’re making your tour reservation. Our park films volume can be adjusted.

Blind/Low vision:

Park wayside exhibits are in large fonts for easy reading. The memorial grounds are level and clear of obstructions. The memorial itself has names etched in granite which are easily touched to determine the name. Braille Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial booklets are available, but not large print Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial Unigrids (NPS standard brochures).

Learning disability:

All tours are led with the visitor (s) in mind. Park Rangers are able to adapt to visitor interpretive needs. Contact the park by email or phone to request modifcations prior to your tour, or speak to a ranger once you've arrived at the park.

Sign-Language

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is dedicated to providing a rich experience for all visitors, and we are happy to offer sign language interpretation for public programs upon request. Because we do not have a sign language interpreter on staff, please contact the park with your request at least two weeks in advance of your visit, or when you’re making your tour reservation.

Contact Us

Please use this email link to contact a park ranger
or to request a brochure. You may also call us at
the listed number:
Phone: (925) 228-8860 Ext. 6520
Email the park

Mailing Address:
Port Chicago C/O John Muir NHS
4202 Alhambra Ave
Martinez, CA 94553

Port Chicago Memorial Tour