Los Alamos Visitor Center & Basic Info

Start your visit to Los Alamos at our visitor center.

NPS/BURNETT

 

Start with our Visitor Center in Los Alamos

 

Visit Los Alamos

• Directions & Map
• Places to Go
• Things to Do
• Trip Ideas
• Nearby Attractions
• Eat & Sleep in Los Alamos

In Los Alamos, New Mexico, Manhattan Project administrators found an ideal location for the secret laboratory where they designed and built the world’s first atomic weapons. Isolated on top of a mesa, with canyons cutting through the surrounding landscape, this place provided the remoteness they required. Still, Santa Fe was relatively close, giving them access to transportation and other resources. 

Drop by our visitor center to start your Manhattan Project National Historical Park experience in Los Alamos. Speak with park rangers, stamp your passport book, pick up a junior ranger book, and learn about ranger programs. Then use our park app to discover places in Los Alamos related to the Manhattan Project. 

 

Addresses

Directions

Hours & Seasons

Description

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Amenities

Contact Information

Image Gallery

 

Basic Information

Unique Passport Stamp

We offer a traditional NPS passport stamp as well as a unique three-part stamp. Travel to our visitor centers in Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, and the Tri-Cities to receive one-third of a stamp. By the end of your journey, you will have a whole stamp.

Fees and Passes

• Los Alamos Visitor Center: Our park does not charge admission fees for any of our visitor centers.
• US Department of Energy Guided Tours: The Los Alamos National Laboratory does not charge a fee for their tour.
• America the Beautiful Passes: While none of our visitor centers sell passes, the National Park Service offers a variety of park passes.

Programs and Special Events

• Park calendar: Visit our park calendar to learn about ranger programs and special events at each of the park's locations: Los Alamos, New Mexico, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the Tri-Cities, Washington.
• Los Alamos Places to Go: Visit the Los Alamos Places to Go page to see all the places related to the Manhattan Project that you can explore. This includes our visitor center, historic facilities with the Department of Energy and historic sites and educational centers within Los Alamos. 
• Los Alamos Things to Do:  Visit the Los Alamos Things to Do page to see all the activities related to the Manhattan Project. This includes guided tours, self-guided tours and programs and activities with our park, Department of Energy guided tours, and organizations within Los Alamos. 
• Self-guided Tours with our App: Download the National Park Service mobile app and go to the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. There you will find information about all the places you can visit as well as information on self-guided tours.
• Junior Ranger Program: Our Junior Ranger book is available in-person at our visitor center or on our website. Kids of all ages can complete the book's activities and earn a Junior Ranger certificate, badge, and patch.

Guided Tours

Many of the park’s historic properties are located “behind the fence” on secure Department of Energy nuclear reservations. Public access is only permitted though public tours facilitated by the Department of Energy.

Accessibility

• Los Alamos Visitor Center: The Los Alamos Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible. The facility is managed by Los Alamos County, which also manages other visitor attractions in the area. Contact them at 505-662-8333 for additional information on accessibility. An audio desciption of the Los Alamos Visitor Center can be found on the National Park Service mobile app and can be viewed in this Audio Description of the Los Alamos Visitor Center PDF.
• Department of Energy Guided Tours: Contact the Bradbury Science Museum for information about accommodations and the accessibility of guided tours in Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Safety

• Outside Safety: Los Alamos may be very hot and dry in the summertime. Drink plenty of water, wear a hat and sunglasses, use sunscreen.
• Altitude Sickness: At 7,320 feet (2231 m) above sea level, altitude sickness may affect some visitors. Drink plenty of water and don’t overexert yourself. 
• Weather:  Within the Los Alamos community, visitors can explore different hiking trails, walking tours, museums, ranger programs, and more. Weather in Los Alamos can change quickly, and visitors should plan for changing conditions.Check the weather and current forecast of Los Alamos before you set out for the day.
• Alerts: Check out any alerts the park may have. 
• More Safety Information: For more information on staying safe while exploring the area, see Bandelier National Monument’s safety page.

Pets

If you are planning to explore areas of the park that are closed to pets, we recommend that you contact a local pet care provider. Commercial kennels and pet sitters are available in surrounding communities. Please check local listings. Reservations are strongly advised and may be required. The National Park Service has a national policy on service animals that applies to all parks which can be found here:  Service Animals - Accessibility (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). For more information about pets in parks, visit the National Park Pets website. 

Internet and Cellular Data

Free public WiFi is available in certain areas in Los Alamos including Ashley Pond, Fuller Lodge, and some local businesses. Cellular service available in Los Alamos proper.