Washington, DC Area

News for Visitors

  • Pilot Project starting June 6, 2011: Blue Paper to be used for self-service copies at NARA in the Washington, DC Area
    Learn more

  • Beginning December 27, 2010 all researchers will be required to use locking bags for removing reproductions, personal notes, and other papers from the Research Center in Washington, DC and in College Park, MD.
    Learn more
  • On-site reference services on the Nixon Presidential textual and audio-visual collection in College Park, Maryland, will be discontinued starting Friday, February 19, 2010 as the materials will be moved to the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California.
    Learn more
  • Researcher Newsletter
  • Notice about how to access withdrawn State Department Records
  • New Orientation Procedures

In the event of inclement weather:

  • Call the NARA opening-status line at 301-837-0700 or call the Federal Government's Office of Personnel Management at 202-606-1900 or visit http://www.opm.gov for an announcement indicating if we are closed, opening late, or closing early.

The National Archives Building in College Park, Maryland.



The National Archives at College Park, Maryland


Location

Mailing/Visiting Address

National Archives at College Park
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001

Archives II is located on Adelphi Road near the University of Maryland's College Park campus.


Hours

Research Hours

Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Pull Times for Records:
Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday there is an additional pull at 3:30 p.m.

Note:  No records are retrieved from the stacks on Saturday or in the evening.
More details about Pull Times


Closed Sundays and Federal Holidays


Transportation

Driving directions

From I-495 (The Capital Beltway) take exit 28B for New Hampshire Avenue (Route 650) south.
Once headed south on New Hampshire, take a left at the second light onto Adelphi Road.
Follow Adelphi Road for a couple of miles until you see the large green sign for Archives II on the left. Turn into the entrance.

Parking

Visitor parking is available, but very limited during research hours. Parking spaces in the garage area fill very quickly. If you plan to visit, we recommend that you use public transportation (see below).

If you intend to drive and park, please note:

  • Parking opens to the public at 8:00 AM and you must leave the parking areas no later than 30 minutes after the research room closes

  • Upon arrival, a security officer will:
    • Check the driver's license of the operator and photo identification of any passengers (all visitors must present photo ID)

    • Direct you to the parking garage, satellite parking or street parking based on parking availability
  • Overnight parking is not permitted if your vehicle becomes disabled in our parking areas, please inform a security officer as towing is enforced.

  • If the Homeland National Terrorism Alert System (NTAS) is raised to an "Imminent or Elevated Threat Alert", additional security screening procedures may significantly delay entrance of visitor vehicles, as random vehicle inspections will occur. This will include an inspection of the under carriage with mirrors and the trunk and passenger compartments. Any vehicle operator who will not permit the inspection will be denied parking and required to leave the property.

    Note: NARA reserves the authority to randomly inspect vehicles even if the NTAS is not raised.

Notice on change in parking and access procedures as of April 22, 2012

Metro

For more specific information on routes, fares, and timetables for Metrobus and Metrorail, please see the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority or telephone Metro at 202-637-7000.

Subway
In College Park, take Metrorail's Green Line to the Greenbelt, Fort Totten, or Prince George's Plaza stations, where you can connect with the R3 Metrobus to the National Archives.

Bus Service

Two main Metro bus routes run from Metrorail (Washington's subway) to NARA's College Park facility, Metrobus (R-3), and the (C-8).

The following bus schedules are available on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority web site:
(Note: the National Archives and Records Administration is not responsible for any information posted on www.wmata.com).

The (R-3) Metrobus, the Greenbelt/Fort Totten line, serves Green Line stations at:

  • Greenbelt
  • Prince George's Plaza
  • Ft. Totten

The (C-8) Metrobus, the College Park/White Flint line, serves Red Line stations at:

  • White Flint
  • Glenmont
  • College Park

Note: These Metrobuses do not run on Saturday. For run times, contact Metro at (202) 637-7000.

Free Staff Shuttle Bus

  • Monday through Friday only
  • Between the College Park and Washington, DC buildings.
  • Depart Washington, DC: 8 am - 5 pm on the hour
  • Depart College Park: 8 am - 5 pm on the hour
  • Researchers may use it on a space available basis.

Saturday only researcher shuttle bus

  • Free
  • Between the Prince George's Plaza Metrorail Green Line station and the College Park building
  • At Belcrest Road side at Kiss 'n Ride sign
  • Schedule:
    Depart Metro:
    AM: 8:15   9:15   10:15   11:15
    PM: 12:15   1:15   2:15   3:15   4:15   5:00
    Depart Archives:
    AM: 8:45   9:45   10:45   11:45
    PM: 12:45   1:45   2:45   3:45   4:45   5:30

Distance from Local Airports

  • From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): 14 miles
  • From Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI): 28 miles
  • From Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD): 34 miles

Accommodations


Food Service

In College Park, there is a full-service cafeteria where meals and snacks may be purchased Monday through Friday. The cafeteria is conveniently located on the first floor adjacent to the Main Lobby.

  • Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a choice of hot entrees, soups, salads, daily specials, sandwiches, and grilled foods is available.
  • Smoking is permitted on the outdoor terrace.

Shop for Publications

National Archives Publications are available for sale on the first floor of the National Archives Building in College Park.

  • For a list of published materials available from the National Archives, see Publications.

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The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272