Easy Handicap Access at the Lincoln Memorial
There is excellent handicap access at the Lincoln Memorial. The National Park Service has done a good job to make the Lincoln Memorial accessible to disabled visitors. There are ramps, elevators, free wheelchair rentals, handicap parking spots nearby, and even specialized private tours that provide easy access to visitors with limited mobility.
UPDATE: The Lincoln Memorial is undergoing major renovation to get ready for July 4, 2026 celebrations. Part of this project is to replace the the old elevator with a new one. As of May 2, 2024, the old elevator is not functioning. Instead, a large ramp has been built from the lower plaza all the way up to the main sanctum of the Lincoln Memorial. It’s a fairly long walk, but it is wheelchair accessible. It’s a poor situation for people with limited mobility. If you have a motorized wheelchair or someone to push you up the ramp, it won’t be a problem. But, if you walk on your own with limited mobility, then you will face a difficult endeavor to reach the top. Furthermore, the National Park Service doesn’t seem to frequently maintain wheelchairs at the information kiosks on either side of the Lincoln Memorial as they once did. We hope this situation will be resolved soon, as it makes it very difficult for anyone with limited mobility to access the inner sanctum of the Lincoln Memorial.
Ramps and Elevators for Disabled Visitors at the Lincoln Memorial
Facing the Lincoln Memorial, you will see a ramp that leads up to the left side of the staircase. This leads to a doorway. Go straight back to access the elevator to the upper chamber where you will see the Lincoln statue and get a view down the Reflecting Pool towards the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. There are also restrooms near the elevator. Once up to the inner chamber, you can walk around the entire Lincoln Memorial between the columns without encountering any steps at all.
Are There Any Private Tours Specifically Designed for Handicap Visitors at the Lincoln Memorial?
Nonpartisan Pedicab operates tours of Washington DC for handicapped and senior visitors. Whether you are disabled or senior, you will find a private tour of the monuments the easiest and most enjoyable way to see all the memorials in Washington DC. Our tours make the Lincoln Memorial and all the monuments easily accessible to anyone with limited mobility.
Parking for Handicapped Visitors at the Lincoln Memorial
There are two streets that access the Lincoln Memorial, but only one of them has handicap parking available. To the south of the Lincoln Memorial, look for Daniel French Drive, which you can access from Independence Avenue. Daniel French Drive is restricted to taxis, buses and vehicles with handicapped tags. There are several spaces reserved for vehicles with handicapped tags between the Lincoln Memorial and the nearby Korean War Memorial. There is no legal parking on Henry Bacon Drive to the north of the Lincoln Memorial. Look for our specific recommendations on handicap parking at the Lincoln Memorial.
On-street parking on the National Mall is no longer free of charge. Three hour parking is available at $2 per hour. Parking meters only accept credit cards.
Handicap Accessible Tours of the National Mall
Accessible Public Transportation to the Lincoln Memorial
Metro
There is no convenient Metro station to the Lincoln Memorial. The nearest are at Foggy Bottom and Smithsonian about a mile away. Metro has facilities for handicapped passengers. Although every Metro station has an elevator, there are frequent problems with elevator outages.
Pedicabs
Pedicabs provide very convenient handicap access to the Lincoln Memorial and around the National Mall.
- It is much easier to get in and out of a pedicab than out of a motor vehicle.
- Pedicabs have a handrail and a foot step and can get right up to the curb.
- A folding wheelchair can be taken along with you in the pedicab
- Pedicab drivers are friendly and will always assist you in getting in and out of the pedicab
There is a pedicab stand on Daniel French Drive close very close to the entrance to the ramp to go up to the top of the Lincoln Memorial. Try a Washington DC Monuments tour from Nonpartisan Pedicab to see all the monuments in 2-3 hours at your own pace.
Taxis and Uber
There is a taxi stand on Daniel French Drive close to Independence Avenue. It is a bit of a walk from the Lincoln Memorial itself. Uber is not permitted on Daniel French Drive and the Uber drivers risk a ticket if they enter. Some will risk the ticket, though.
City Buses
The National Mall Circulator Bus operates from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekends. The fare is $1.
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Wheelchairs at the Lincoln Memorial
The National Park Service operates an information kiosk near the Lincoln Memorial on Daniel French Drive. They will lend you a free wheelchair to use for the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial. You must leave a drivers license as deposit.
More information about Handicap Access at the Lincoln Memorial and around the National Mall
National Park Service Information on the Lincoln Memorial
Washington DC Disability Information — General Information for Handicapped visitors