Fees & Passes

Get tickets online

Advance reservations recommended. New tickets released daily at 10 am.

Reserve tickets

 

Tickets required

All guests ages 2+ need a ticket to enter the Washington Monument. Supplies are limited.

There are two ways to get tickets:

• Recommended: Reserve tickets online ($1 reservation fee per ticket applies)
• Free, same day tickets are available at the Washington Monument Lodge while supplies last.

 

Washington Monument Lodge contains a bookstore, restrooms, and the ticket window in the rear.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Get tickets

Daily walk-up tickets

Free, same-day, timed tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Supplies are limited and typically run out.

• Go to the Washington Monument Lodge located along 15th Street between Madison and Jefferson drives, just east of the Washington Monument.
• The ticket window opens at 8:45 a.m. Expect a line to form at the ticket window long before the ticket window opens.
• One person (16+ years old) may get up to six (6) tickets for an available ticket time.

Advance reservations online

Check availability and make advance reservations online at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Though there is no admission fee for the Washington Monument, there is a non-refundable $1.00 service charge per advance ticket.

• Tickets are released daily at 10:00 am
• Tickets are available 30 days in advance of the tour date.
• Demand for tickets far exceeds availability and in the spring, summer and fall. Tickets often sell out immediately after being released. To increase your chances of getting tickets, create your recreation.gov account in advance and log in to the website before the ticket release time.
• Additional tickets are released one day before the tour date. If you missed the opportunity to book 30 days in advance, you can try for these tickets the day before your visit.

Group tickets (online only)

• Groups may reserve up to 55 tickets up to 30 days in advance at recreation.gov only. No walk ups are available for group tours. There is a $1.00 service charge per ticket.

 

Washington Monument visitors queue outside the security screening area.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

What to expect during your visit

Before you enjoy this attraction

Visitors who are uncomfortable with heights, enclosed spaces, crowding, and elevators should consider that the Washington Monument involves all these experiences.

Before you arrive, consider using the restroom and getting a drink of water before you approach the Washington Monument. There are no drinking fountains and no restrooms inside the Washington Monument. The nearest restrooms are at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street near the Washington Monument.

Arriving at the Washington Monument

Please note the tour time on your ticket, and arrive up to 30 minutes before your tour time begins. The waiting area is on the benches inside the circle of flags at the Washington Monument. Signs posted outside the Washington Monument indicate the waiting areas for your tour time.

Security screening

All visitors are subject to security screening. When your tour time begins, park rangers will direct you to the screening area in small groups to prevent crowding. Weapons (including pocketknives), strollers, and bulky items are prohibited. Wheelchairs are permitted. See restricted items for details.

After passing through security, you will continue to the Washington Monument's ground floor lobby to board the elevator.

Touring the Washington Monument

The nonstop elevator ascent to the top floor 500 feet above the ground takes approximately 70 seconds.

Once at the observation deck, you are free to explore at your leisure. The 500' foot observation deck has windows on all four sides. The museum level at 490' includes more exhibits and is where you will re-board the elevator. Wheelchair users can re-board the elevator at 500' to go down to the 490' level; other visitors should use the stairs to descend to 490.

Visitors with accessibility needs can consult our guide to accessibility at the Washington Monument for details.

Weather and other closures

For your safety, the Washington Monument may be closed for dangerous weather conditions including high wind and thunderstorms. Tickets will be voided for the affected entrance times.

If thunderstorms are in the area, seek shelter away from the Washington Monument. If you are close enough to hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

The Washington Monument is closed one day during the first week of every month for routine maintenance, as well as on Independence Day and Christmas Day. Closures for 2026: January 8, February 3, March 4, April 6, May 7, June 2, July 4, July 8, August 3, September 10, October 5, November 11, November 26, December 25.