Access to view the cherry blossoms on the National Mall will be limited/NPS file

In a bid to reduce the chance of Covid-19 transmission the National Park Service will be limiting all vehicular and pedestrian access to the Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park and West Potomac Park during the peak bloom period of the cherry blossoms as a public health precaution.

The start and end dates of any restrictions are dependent on the bloom cycle of the trees, but are currently projected to fall between approximately March 26 and April 12. Updates will be posted on nps.gov/cherry and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @NationalMallNPS.

Closed roads and areas will include:

• Ohio Drive SW, from Buckeye Drive SW (Washington Channel side) to Independence Avenue SW
• East Basin Drive SW east of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial to Ohio Drive SW
• West Basin Drive SW from Ohio Drive SW to Independence Avenue SW
• Tidal Basin walking trail
• Northbound I-395 ramp to Potomac Park (Exit 2)
• Southbound I-395 ramp to Potomac Park (Exit 2)
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
• Thomas Jefferson Memorial
• Tidal Basin paddle boats
• All curbside parking and parking lots within the closure

The public is reminded that cherry blossom trees can be viewed at sites and parks throughout Washington, D.C., and are encouraged to virtually experience the trees at the Tidal Basin this year through a variety of online opportunities.  

• Virtual visitors will be able to view the blossoms through the Trust for the National Mall’s BloomCam, a 24/7, live, real-time look at the Tidal Basin that allows people from around the world to virtually view the beloved blossoming cherry trees in real time. BloomCam will be streaming live starting March 24 on both the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Trust for the National Mall websites providing live, around-the-clock views of the cherry trees along the Tidal Basin. www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/bloom-watchwww.nationalmall.org/bloomcam
• The National Park Service’s cherry blossom website provides a wealth of virtual peak bloom experiences, including online “Bloomin’ Junior Ranger” activities (complete with a virtual Junior Ranger badge), virtual tours of the Tidal Basin, trivia, games and even a special virtual cherry blossom stamp for the Passport to Your National Parks. www.nps.gov/cherry
• The National Cherry Bloom Festival has reimagined the festival with an innovative format that honors the tradition of the festival, while prioritizing the health and safety of participants amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Popular traditional events such as the opening ceremony, Pink Tie Party, Blossom Kite Festival have been designed for a virtual format, and are joined by new favorites, including the Petal Porch Parade, online gallery groups discussing Japanese art, a nationally televised National Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration Show and much more.www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org