National memorial and World War II historic site

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

About 16 road miles east of the Ewa railway

Plan the National Park Service visitor center, free museums, waterfront grounds, and reservation-controlled USS Arizona Memorial program.

The place

About Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Pearl Harbor National Memorial is an independent National Park Service site about 16 road miles east of the Hawaiian Railway Society's Ewa yard. The visitor center, grounds, and two museums are free and normally open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The USS Arizona Memorial Program is also free, but recreation.gov charges a nonrefundable $1 reservation fee. Programs normally run every 15 minutes from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m., take about 45 minutes, and require check-in no later than 10 minutes before the reserved time. NPS recommends arriving one hour early.

Reservations are strongly recommended and are released at 3 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time both eight weeks and 24 hours in advance. A reservation can cover no more than 10 people, including infants. Weather, harbor conditions, or the U.S. Navy can suspend boat service even when the visitor center remains open.

Parking is $7 per day. The site enforces a no-bag security policy, so review the current official list before arrival. Essential facilities and the memorial are wheelchair accessible, but NPS does not normally loan wheelchairs and notes meaningful walking distances across the site. Contact the park ahead for a specific access or ASL request.

What stands out

Reserve the USS Arizona program

Use the official release windows and protect the arrival deadline for the Navy-operated boat program.

Build context in two museums

Use the free Road to War and Attack galleries before or after the memorial program.

Walk the waterfront interpretation

Explore the visitor-center grounds and shoreline memorial landscape within the site's security rules.

Plan for an operational change

Keep the museums and grounds as a fallback if weather or Navy operations suspend boats.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Hawaiian Railway Society trip

Treat Pearl Harbor as a separate reserved history block, not a casual railway add-on. Allow the drive from Ewa, parking and security time, a one-hour early arrival, and enough margin for the Navy-controlled boat program.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Visitor center hoursDaily 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1
  • Grounds and museumsFree admission
  • USS Arizona programFree; recreation.gov charges a nonrefundable $1 reservation fee
  • Reservation releasesDaily at 3 p.m. HST, eight weeks and 24 hours ahead
  • Program windowNormally every 15 minutes, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-3:30 p.m.; about 45 minutes
  • ArrivalNPS recommends one hour early; check in at least 10 minutes before the reserved time
  • Parking$7 per day
  • SecurityNo-bag policy; review current official permitted-item guidance before arrival
  • Boat conditionsWeather and U.S. Navy operations can suspend memorial access
  • AccessibilityEssential facilities and memorial accessible; no routine wheelchair loans; request ASL at least 14 days ahead

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Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Is Pearl Harbor National Memorial free?

The visitor center, grounds, museums, and USS Arizona Memorial Program are free. Recreation.gov charges a nonrefundable $1 fee per reserved program ticket, and parking is $7 per day.

Do I need a USS Arizona reservation?

Reservations are strongly recommended. NPS releases them at 3 p.m. HST eight weeks and 24 hours before the program date.

How early should I arrive?

NPS recommends arriving one hour before the reserved program and requires check-in at least 10 minutes before its start.

Can the USS Arizona boat be canceled?

Yes. Weather, harbor conditions, or U.S. Navy operations can suspend boat service even while the visitor center remains open.

Can I bring a bag?

The site enforces a no-bag security policy with limited permitted items. Review the current official safety page before arrival rather than relying on an old summary.

Is the memorial wheelchair accessible?

NPS says essential facilities and the memorial are accessible, but it does not normally loan wheelchairs and the site involves meaningful walking distances. Contact the park about a specific need.

When is the site closed?

The visitor center is normally open daily 7 a.m.-5 p.m. and closes on Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.

Can I pair it with the Hawaiian Railway Society?

Yes, but treat it as a separate reserved block about 16 road miles east. Include drive, parking, security, and early-arrival time rather than stacking the two tightly.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-24. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.