Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
DC

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

Hours

Hours vary by day

Entrance Fee

From $1.00

Timed Entry Reservation - Location

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Frederick Douglass National Historic Site at a glance

Best time
March–May, October–November
Trip length
1 day
Don't miss
Discover Frederick Douglass’s Home
Nearby city
Washington, DC

Explore this park

About Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

Frederick Douglass spent his life fighting for justice and equality. Born into slavery in 1818, he escaped as a young man and became a leading voice in the abolitionist movement. People everywhere still find inspiration today in his tireless struggle, brilliant words, and inclusive vision of humanity. Douglass's legacy is preserved here at Cedar Hill, where he lived his last 17 years.

No current NPS alerts

The National Park Service has no active alerts listed for Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. Conditions change quickly — check again before you go.

Source: National Park Service (as of Oct 27, 2026). Official Frederick Douglass National Historic Site page on nps.gov

Weather Information

  • Spring

    40°F – 70°F

  • Summer

    70°F – 90°F

  • Fall

    40°F – 70°F

  • Winter

    30°F – 50°F

There is occasional snow. Rain is common. Humidity is usually high. Be prepared and drink plenty of water. There is a water fountain in the visitor center. Humidity can remain high in the earlier part of the season.

Entrance Fees

Timed Entry Reservation - Location

$1.00

The guided tour includes the upper and lower floors of the home and provides an intimate window into the life of Frederick Douglass. Space on each tour is limited. You are strongly encouraged to make a reservation to secure your spot on a tour. While walk-ins without a reservation are permitted if space is available, tours are frequently completely full well in advance. Plan ahead and reserve your tour today!

Operating Hours

The historic house is open for guided tours at scheduled times Tuesday through Saturday; hours vary by season, and reservations are strongly encouraged. The site is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on those days from October 1 through March 31, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from April 1 through September 30.

  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Wednesday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Thursday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Friday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Saturday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • SundayClosed

Common questions

Planning Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Permits for live updates.

TrailVerse lists 3 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Tours and Douglass Home Group Tour. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.