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.
About under an hour from Washington and under an hour from Baltimore by car.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here. The tours below are the exception.
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Tours & reservations | ||
| Historic Home Tour ↗Jan–DecThere is a $1.00 reservation fee for each reserved ticket. School groups pay a flat fee of $10.00. | $1 | |
To tour the home, book a reservation in advance online. Same-day tickets may be available at the visitor center desk. Tours frequently fill to capacity. Tickets are not required to visit the visitor center.
Hours
| Frederick Douglass National Historic Site | Varies by day ▾
|
Hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hours |
|
| Oct 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027NowFall and Winter Hours |
|
| Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving Day | Closed |
| Dec 25, 2026Christmas Day | Closed |
| Jan 1, 2027New Year's Day | Closed |
| Apr 1 to Sep 30, 2027Spring and Summer Hours |
|
When to go
July draws the most visits here and April the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Visitor centers
- Frederick Douglass NHS Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
The Visitor Center of the Frederick Douglass NHS is located at the bottom of the hill near the parking lot. Inside of the Visitor Center you will find staff who can facilitate your visit, a bookstore run by America's National Parks, handicap accessible restrooms, a water fountain, exhibits and…
No campgrounds, no webcams or events in Park Service data. What is here comes from the official page. The rest lives there.
Checked nightly. Modules appear as soon as the Park Service publishes the data.
Explore
Things to do
- Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East30-90 Minutes
Become a Junior Ranger at parks across National Capital Parks – East! Explore, complete a booklet, and earn badges and certificates along the way!
Opens on the Park Service site - Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps5-10 Minutes
Start your stamp collection and celebrate every park you visit! Explore historic sites and scenic parks managed by National Capital Parks - East and collect a unique stamp at each one.
Opens on the Park Service site - Become a Frederick Douglass NHS Junior Ranger30-60 Minutes
To become a Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Junior Ranger, you can either visit the site or download our Junior Ranger Book. Once completed, mail your book to 1411 W Street, S.E., Washington, D.C.
Opens on the Park Service site - Discover Frederick Douglass’s Home30-120 Minutes
Explore the home of Frederick Douglass, a leading voice in the abolitionist movement.
Opens on the Park Service site - Places of Interest Related to Frederick Douglass1-4 Hours
Visitors can explore nearby historical sites and parks in the Washington, D.C. area related to the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass, African American History, and Women's History.
Opens on the Park Service site - Frederick Douglass NHS Bookstore30-60 Minutes
Operated by America's National Parks, the bookstore sells unique educational products and books related to Frederick Douglass and African American History.
Opens on the Park Service site
Show all 7Hide
- Frederick Douglass NHS Visitor Center5-60 Minutes
The Visitor Center at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is a single-level building at street level where you will find an information desk where a ranger or volunteer is stationed, exhibits, restrooms, and other information.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Historic landmarks nearby
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for the Mid-Atlantic
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthRed Fox 58× · Bald Eagle 26× · Peregrine Falcon 9× · Barred Owl 9× · Osprey 9× · Greater Yellowlegs 8× · Belted Kingfisher 6× · Lesser Yellowlegs 5×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 19 birds, 0 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsBald Eagle
WoodpeckersFLICKER · Woodpecker
Also on the checklistBaltimore Oriole · CARDINAL · Cowbird · FINCH · Oriole · STARLING · TOWHEE · Thrasher · Thrush · Warbler · Warbler · Warbler · Warbler · Warbler · Warbler · Warbler
Activities
Weather & climate
Winter: Temperatures usually range from 30 to 50 F. There is occasional snow. Spring: Temperatures usually range widely from 40 to 70 F. Rain is common. Summer: Temperatures usually range from 70 to 90 F. Humidity is usually high. Be prepared and drink plenty of water. There is a water fountain in the visitor center. Fall: Temperatures usually range widely from 40 to 70 F. Humidity can remain high in the earlier part of the season.
Questions people ask
Does Frederick Douglass charge an entrance fee?
No. Frederick Douglass is free to enter, though some tours and ticketed sites inside charge separately.
Source: National Park Service
Do I need a reservation to enter Frederick Douglass?
To tour the home, book a reservation in advance online. Same-day tickets may be available at the visitor center desk.
Source: Timed entry, by park
What are the hours at Frederick Douglass?
Standard hours are 9:00AM - 4:30PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and it is closed on Sunday and Monday. Dated exceptions are listed under Hours.
Source: National Park Service
How busy is Frederick Douglass?
29,378 recreation visits in 2025, number 303 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Frederick Douglass?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is the weather like at Frederick Douglass?
Winter: Temperatures usually range from 30 to 50 F. There is occasional snow.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
