Can you reserve a site at National Museum of Natural History?

No. National Museum of Natural History is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

National Museum of Natural History, District of Columbia — sites, fees and cancellation alerts

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's preeminent museum and research complex. The Museum is dedicated to inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collections, exhibitions, and education outreach programs. Opened in 1910, the green-domed museum on the National Mall was among the first Smithsonian building constructed exclusively to house the national collections and research facilities.

Whether looking at the history and cultures of Africa, describing our earliest Mammalian ancestor or primate diversity around the world, examining ancient life forms including the ever popular dinosaurs, or exploring the beauty of rare gemstones such as uniquely colored diamonds, the Museum's temporary and permanent exhibitions serve to educate, enlighten and entertain millions of visitors each year. The main building on the National Mall contains 1.5 million square feet of space overall and 325,000 square feet of exhibition and public space; altogether the Museum is the size of 18 football fields, and houses over 1000 employees.

Getting there

There is no public parking facility at the Smithsonian on the National Mall. On-street parking is limited and posted times are enforced. You can take Metrorail and exit at the Smithsonian Station (Mall exit). For more, see www.si.edu/visit/directions.htm

38.89210, -77.02600 · 38°53'31.6"N 77°1'33.6"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Official map for this area

Typical weather

Typically 90°F in Jul, down to 45°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	45	48	57	68	77	85	90	88	81	69	58	49
Low °F	30	32	39	48	58	68	72	71	64	52	42	35
Precip in	2.9	2.6	3.5	3.2	3.9	4.2	4.3	3.3	3.9	3.7	2.9	3.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about National Museum of Natural History

Can you reserve a site at National Museum of Natural History?: No. National Museum of Natural History is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near National Museum of Natural History

National Archives 0.2 mi · Tickets · we watch it
National Archives Building 0.2 mi · Archives
Riggs Washington D.C. 0.2 mi · Facility
USDA Visitors Center 0.2 mi · Facility
National Museum of American History 0.2 mi · Facility
Arts and Industries Building 0.2 mi · Facility
Smithsonian Institution Building, the Castle 0.2 mi · Facility
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 0.3 mi · Facility
National Museum of African Art 0.3 mi · Facility
National Museum of Asian Art 0.3 mi · Facility
National Air and Space Museum 0.3 mi · Facility
Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery 0.4 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

National Museum of Natural History

Getting there

Typical weather

Map

Member photos

Common questions about National Museum of Natural History

Camping near National Museum of Natural History

Comments

Contact