Visitor Safety

We want your visit to Arlington National Cemetery to be both memorable and safe. Please take note of these guidelines. 

•  The cemetery is expansive: 639 acres. Walking distances and hills require moderate physical exertion.

•  As an alternative to walking, take the interpretive tour tram, which stops at President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other notable sites. Visitors with disabilities may ride the tram for free, with one companion. 

•  Wear sturdy, skid-free shoes and watch your step while walking through the cemetery. Grounds have uneven terrain and tripping hazards. Use handrails and limit distractions — stay off cell phones while walking! — to prevent slips, trips and falls.

•  In rain or snow, please be especially careful when walking on marble or stone surfaces, such as at the President John F. Kennedy Gravesite and Memorial Amphitheater. Burial sections can also become muddy after rain or snowfall. 

•  Winter weather in Northern Virginia can be unpredictable. We recommend that visitors wear layers and, depending on weather conditions, consider bringing a hat, gloves and an umbrella. 

•  Stay hydrated! We highly recommend that visitors bring water bottles or purchase bottled water in the Welcome Center bookstore or the water-only vending machines located near the public restrooms at Memorial Amphitheater. 

► Click here to print a map of water fountains and bottle fillers or download our ANC Explorer mobile app, which will also assist you in finding water fountains and bottle fillers throughout the cemetery. 

•  When conducting tours or walking on cemetery roads, please be mindful of vehicles, which may include machinery and construction equipment. Utilize sidewalks when available. In the absence of sidewalks, stay to the left or right side of the road to give way to traffic.

•  Visitors may encounter funeral processions and ceremonies. Please avoid walking in sections where active burials or inurnments are taking place.

► Call 911 in emergency situations. Emergency cold weather exposure symptoms can include unexplained shivering, exhaustion, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness, lack of coordination or mental status changes.

► To report suspicious activity, call the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Department of Emergency Services at 703-588-2800.