Nationals Park Parking Tips Guide for the Washing Nationals

The Washington Nationals play their home games at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. If you plan to see a Nationals game sometime soon, it’s best to plan your parking strategy in advance. 

This detailed National Park parking tips guide offers detailed parking information, including:

• The best official National Park parking lots
• Third-party parking lots near National Park you can book in advance
• Areas to look for free parking in Washington D.C.
• Handicap parking solutions
• Public transit options for Washington Nationals events
• Other valuable National Park parking tips to save time and money

Along with venues like Fenway Park and Kauffman Stadium, Nationals Park is one of the few MLB stadiums that does not bear the name of a corporate sponsor. Use this guide to figure out your parking plan, and look forward to a great outing with family or friends.

Official Nationals Park Parking Lots

Nationals Park is located near the Navy yard in Washington. It is nearby all United States government attractions, which means that traffic in the area can be heavy.

There are a few official parking options associated with National Park. Like many other parks, the Nationals use the MLB Ballpark app to manage parking passes, so you can purchase a spot in advance and then show your parking pass on your phone when you arrive at the appropriate garage.

Securing a convenient parking spot is essential When planning a trip to Nationals Park for a baseball game. The official parking lots offer several options, balancing proximity to the stadium and cost. Let’s examine some of the main parking options available to you.

Premier Parking Options

If you prefer parking near the stadium, the GEICO Garage and Garage C should be your top picks. Both garages are located right next to the stadium, adjacent to the centerfield entrance. This proximity makes them the most convenient options, particularly if you’d like to minimize walking distance.

Value Parking Options

Lots T, U, and W near Nationals Park are excellent choices for fans looking for more budget-friendly parking alternatives. These parking lots are a few blocks from the stadium but offer pre-purchasable parking slots. Additionally, after the game, you may find that exiting these lots is faster due to lesser congestion around the stadium area.

Parking Prices

The cost of parking varies significantly depending on the lot’s location. Below is a general indication of the pricing you can expect:

Remember, Lot W is the most affordable option, given its further distance from the stadium. On the other hand, expect to pay up to $50 for the premium convenience of parking in the GEICO Garage or Garage C.

Considering your convenience and budget preferences, you can make the most suitable parking choice to ensure a smooth experience at Nationals Park.

EV Parking at Nationals Park

There are a few different EV charging stations in the area around Nationals Park. While charging up in the area is possible, we’d recommend taking care of your charging ahead of time, if at all possible.

This area can be quite busy and congested leading up to a game, so trying to secure a spot at a charger is a headache you don’t need. Charge up the night before if you can and enjoy the event. 

Accessible Parking Spaces

If you require ADA-accessible parking, select that designation when purchasing your parking in advance. You can choose that option when picking out and paying for the parking lot you select, so there should be a suitable spot available for you upon arrival. 

Third-Party Parking Options at Nationals Park

Reserving third-party parking is a great way to ensure you have a spot when you show up for a Nationals game. To make that task easy, we have included a SpotHero widget below that you can use to pick out the ideal parking location for your needs.

My favorite third-party option for Nationals games is the garage at 1160 1st Street SE. This location offers reasonable rates, a short walk to the venue, and parking indoors and out of the weather. 

In addition to this garage, some personal parking spots are offered on SpotHero just to the west of the stadium near Capitol Street SW. These individual spots fill up quickly, but you can’t beat the proximity they offer to the gates. 

Free Parking at Nationals Park

It will be very difficult to secure any free parking in the area around Nationals Park. Given the park’s location just blocks from the United States Capitol and other prominent landmarks, this is an extremely popular area, and parking is always at a premium.

To avoid paying for parking, you’ll want to use public transit, a rideshare service, ride a bike, or even walk to the game. 

Nationals Park Public Transportation

When planning your trip to Nationals Park, Washington D.C.’s efficient public transportation network offers a variety of convenient and affordable options. Let’s delve into some of the best ones.

Metro Service

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, commonly known as Metro, provides a swift and reliable means to reach the park. The Navy Yard-Ballpark station on the Green Line is the closest Metro station to Nationals Park. This station is just a short walk away from the stadium, making it a fantastic choice if accessible to you.

Alternatively, you can alight at the Capitol South Station, served by the Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines. While this station is a bit further from the park, it connects to more lines, offering greater flexibility for fans from different parts of the city.

DC Circulator

The DC Circulator is another convenient and cost-effective choice to reach Nationals Park. At just $1 per ride, this bus service is a real bargain. The bus arrives at the Navy Yard every 10 minutes, making it a great option for quick, hassle-free travel to the park.

Travel Planning Tips

Before setting off, check the Metro or DC Circulator’s schedule and route map online to plan your journey efficiently. This way, you’ll avoid any unexpected surprises on the event day and ensure a seamless transit experience.

Enjoy your visit to Nationals Park and the thrilling baseball action it promises!

Ridesharing to Nationals Park

If you use a rideshare service to get to and from the venue, avoid using South Capitol Street for your pickup or drop-off location. The busyness of this street makes stopping to get in or out a dangerous activity for everyone on the road.

Plenty of other surface streets near Nationals Park other than South Capitol Street that will work nicely for pickup or drop-off. 

Nationals Park Stadium Events

Whether you’d like to watch a baseball game in the nation’s capital or catch one of the other events in the park, the table below will help you find great seats.

Bars & Restaurants near Nationals Park

Plenty of good dining options are available within close proximity of the park. If you’d like to be able to walk around and pick from several different establishments, look to the area north of the stadium.

Here, you’ll find businesses like:

• Tap99
• the Silver Diner
• GATSBY

and a bunch of other favorites.

When your meal is over, and your drink is finished, you’ll be just a short walk across the street from entering the venue and finding your seat. 

Nationals Park Parking Tips for a Great Outing

Everyone who attends big events has a horror story about a parking nightmare that caused them to miss the start of the game or concert. Or, if you got in on time, it might have taken you hours to leave after it was over. 

Let’s review some basic parking tips to ensure that doesn’t happen to you at National Park.

Arrive Early and Beat Traffic

To say that traffic in and around Washington, D.C. can get crowded would be an incredible understatement. Plan your day to get to the stadium early and secure parking before it gets crazy. 

Check to see when the gates will open, and you can arrive early to enjoy as much time inside the facility as possible. 

Know What You Can Bring

National Park has specific policies regarding what can and can’t come into the building like all other stadiums. Check these rules in advance so you don’t have to leave things in the car. 

Remember Where You Parked!

There are many parking spaces available around National Park. You don’t want to be searching for your vehicle at the end of the day. Consider snapping a quick picture of your car’s location on your phone so you can get back to it easily. 

Don’t Leave Things in Your Vehicle

With so many vehicles left unattended for hours, there is always the threat of criminal activity while an event is going on. To reduce the chances of theft, leave any valuable items at home, or at least tuck them away out of sight in your car or truck. And, of course, remember to lock up! 

Pick a Gate

Entering the park through a gate close to your seats makes a lot of sense. With that in mind, consider trying to park on the same side of the stadium as the gate you’d like to use so that the whole experience can be simple and streamlined. Look at a map of the venue in advance to chart out your path from parking to take your seat. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, planning your parking strategy in advance is essential when attending a Washington Nationals game at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. This comprehensive Nationals Park parking tips guide provides valuable information on official parking lots, third-party options, free parking areas, handicap parking solutions, public transit alternatives, and other useful tips to save time and money.

Remember to arrive early to beat traffic, familiarize yourself with the park’s policies, keep track of your parking location, avoid leaving valuable items in your vehicle, and choose a gate close to your seats for easy access.

Proper planning lets you make the most of your visit to Nationals Park and have a fantastic experience.

Frequently Asked Questions for Parking at Nationals Park (FAQs)