Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA
The national military cemetery above the Potomac, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Kennedy graves and Arlington House. Free; the guard changes every half hour or hour. Use the paid garage at the welcome center.
Arlington National Cemetery sits above the Potomac on the former estate of Robert E. Lee's family and now covers 639 acres (about 258 hectares). The estate was created by George Washington Parke Custis, whose daughter Mary married Lee in 1831. The family left in 1861, and the Union Army then occupied it. The first military burial took place on May 13, 1864, and the cemetery was officially established on June 15, 1864. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded around the clock by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, and the graves of John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft are here as well.
Admission is free. The changing of the guard at the Tomb takes place every hour from October to March and every half hour from April to September. The Arlington Cemetery Metro station (Blue Line) is a few minutes' walk from the main entrance. All visitors go through a security screening, so bring as little baggage as possible. The grounds are hilly; you will walk a lot or can take a bus tour. Note that 27 to 30 funerals are held on weekdays.
- Nearest town
- Arlington, VA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 38.8800, -77.0680
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Cold, short days in January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
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- Adventure Bound Washington DCCampsite21 mi from Arlington National CemeteryTentsCaravansElectricityWaste disposal
- Cedarville State Forest CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Arlington National CemeteryTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking water
- Smallwood State Park Family CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Arlington National CemeteryTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposal
All campsites in Virginia · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Arlington National Cemetery?
Arlington National Cemetery is in Arlington, VA, at GPS 38.8800, -77.0680. It is about 3 mi from Washington.
Can you camp near Arlington National Cemetery?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Greenbelt Park Campground, about 11 mi away; within 25 mi there are 19 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Arlington National Cemetery?
Arlington National Cemetery is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Along the Potomac: Mount Vernon, Great Falls and Harpers Ferry.
What is there to see near Arlington National Cemetery?
Places worth a stop nearby: George Washington’s Mount Vernon (11 mi), Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center (13 mi), Great Falls Park (13 mi) and Ellicott City Historic District (30 mi).
When is the best time to visit Arlington National Cemetery?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)