Security Information

Entering the NIH campus/Campus Security

NOTE: For all non-U.S. visitors, please be sure to bring your ID's and/or your passport.

Please reference the NIH visitor's map to locate visitor entrances, visitor parking, and the Clinical Center as well as other pertinent details.

Visitors may access the NIH campus through one of two visitor centers—the NIH Gateway Center at the Metro entrance (Rockville Pike and South Drive) or the West Visitor Center at Old Georgetown Road and South Drive. The Gateway Center is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The West Visitor Center will be open M-F, 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. except for federal holidays and is available for pedestrians only.

Visitors will be asked to show one form of valid government-issued photo identification and to state the purpose of their visit in order to receive a visitor’s pass. Examples of acceptable identification include: driver’s license, passport, military ID, other government agency IDs, green cards.

Additional NIH visitor information

Please note: visitor parking is limited at NIH. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation such as the Metrorail subway system which has a convenient stop (Medical Center) on the NIH campus. Visit the "Metro" site for information on fares and schedules http://www.wmata.com/.

Visitor vehicles will undergo security screening at the Metro entrance. Be sure to allow extra time for the vehicle inspection procedure. Visitors must park in designated visitor parking lots (see visitor access map). Vehicles will be inspected prior to parking in underground or multi-level garages.

Visit http://www.nih.gov/about/visitor/index.htm. This site includes information about transportation, directions, parking, security, maps of the NIH campus and Bethesda area, shuttle schedules, and more.

NIH Virtual Tour

NIH Virtual Tour that’s now available!  Please take a moment to take the full tour of the  Bethesda, MD, main campus and explore this great institution of science, technological innovation, and, above all, hope.

Among the virtual tour’s many features is an interactive, aerial map of the 32 buildings on our Bethesda campus. By clicking on a highlighted building, you can explore an impressive multimedia gallery of photos, video clips, and other resources. The tour will allow you to learn more about NIH and the ways in which we help people live longer and healthier lives.

You also can learn more about NIH’s 27 Institutes and Centers, including the NIH Clinical Center and 20 other in-depth tour stops—from research labs to patient rooms—and hear directly from some of our impressive researchers, leaders, and patients.