National Mall Fireworks: Find Public Access Points; See Prohibited Items

Wherever you sit, the fireworks on the National Mall are sure to be spectacular. Check out entry points from the National Park Service below, and scroll down to see what items are prohibited on the National Mall this Saturday, July 4.

Public Access Points

To National Mall:

Entry points will open at 10 a.m. July 4 unless otherwise noted, and will remain open until 9 p.m. Visitors will be screened at all access points. Entrances will be at:

  • South side of Memorial Bridge
  • Constitution Avenue NW between 23rd Street NW and Henry Bacon Drive NW
  • Constitution Avenue NW and 17th Street NW (opens at 2 p.m.)
  • Constitution Avenue NW and 15th Street NW
  • West side of 14th Street NW at Madison Drive NW (opens at 2 p.m.)
  • West side of 14th Street SW at Jefferson Drive SW
  • Maine Avenue SW and Raoul Wallenberg Place SW (15th Street SW)
  • East Basin Drive just south of the Jefferson Memorial (visitors will not be able to access the National Mall from here)
  • East Basin Drive at Inlet Bridge SW

To U.S. Capitol Grounds:

Public access begins at 3 p.m. to get into place for A Capitol Fourth. Lawn seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Security checks are required for all visitors. Entrances will be at:

  • 3rd Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
  • 3rd Street SW and Maryland Avenue SW

To Viewing Spots Along George Washington Memorial Parkway:

Fireworks can be viewed from the following locations along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Unless otherwise indicated, access to these areas opens at 6 a.m.:

  • U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and Netherlands Carillon (opens at 1 p.m.)
  • Columbia Island/Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove (access to the Potomac Riverfront is now possible via a new bike/pedestrian tunnel that runs underneath the Boundary Channel Bridge (AKA the "Humpback Bridge")
  • Gravelly Point, north of National Airport
  • Washington Sailing Marina at Daingerfield Island

Download a map of these locations on the Mall here. (.pdf)

Prohibited Items and Activities

Visitors will be screened at all entrance points. All coolers, backpacks, packages, and persons will be subject to inspection, the National Park Service says.

The following are prohibited:

  • Grills, alcohol, glass containers, personal fireworks
  • Launching, landing or operating unmanned or remote controlled aircraft
  • Personal tents that block other visitors' views; tents that require stakes

Due to limited space on the Washington Monument grounds, visitors are asked to refrain from recreational activities such as volleyball, badminton, etc., the NPS says. 

Local

Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information

GMU cricket stadium proposal scrapped

Nationals place Stephen Strasburg on 60-day injured list

The NPS strongly recommends that pets be left at home.

Contact Us