Facility Overview

The Bldg. 57 Garage (Building 57 Parking Facility) is a modern multi-level parking structure located on the grounds of Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Designed to provide dedicated, organized vehicular parking for authorized military personnel, federal civilian staff, contractors, outpatients, and medical visitors, this multi-tier facility offers covered parking bays and well-engineered traffic ramps. The garage comfortably accommodates standard passenger vehicles, compact cars, light trucks, and standard-sized SUVs. However, drivers operating high-roof commercial transport vans, lifted off-road trucks, or vehicles equipped with roof cargo boxes should observe the posted vehicle height clearance limits (typically 7 feet) displayed at the garage entrance portals. Ground-level spaces and perimeter surface stalls handle oversized accessible transportation vans needing extra clearance.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated within the prestigious defense health and biomedical corridor of Montgomery County, Bldg. 57 Garage sits within immediate walking distance of the flagship clinical, academic, and research complexes of Walter Reed. Key destinations directly accessible on campus include the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center hospital wings, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), the Murtha Cancer Center, and Fisher House Bethesda. Directly across Rockville Pike (MD-355) lies the expansive National Institutes of Health (NIH) main campus and the NIH Clinical Center (Building 10). For regional amenities, downtown Bethesda\'s bustling dining and retail scene—featuring Bethesda Row, Woodmont Triangle, and a wide array of international eateries—is located just 1.5 miles south (a 5-minute drive or one stop on the Metro).

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Because Bldg. 57 Garage is positioned on a secure federal military installation, all incoming vehicles and motorists must enter through the designated Naval Support Activity Bethesda access control gates (such as the South Gate on MD-355/Wisconsin Avenue or the Taylor Road Gate). Drivers without an active Common Access Card (CAC) or military credential must register and clear security at the NSAB Visitor Control Center prior to entry. Once through the gate, clear campus signage directs motorists to Palmer Road and the Bldg. 57 parking decks. Egress is efficient, leading quickly onto Rockville Pike (MD-355), with rapid connections to Interstate 495 (the Capital Beltway) located two miles north. Public transit access is outstanding: the Medical Center Metro Station (WMATA Red Line) is located right outside the installation gates, connected via a pedestrian tunnel and high-speed elevators directly to the campus perimeter, alongside numerous Montgomery County Ride On and WMATA bus connections.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Multi-level structured parking with extensive covered protection against rain, heat, and snow.
• Designated accessible parking spaces (ADA/van-accessible) positioned adjacent to pedestrian elevator banks and stairwells.
• High-efficiency LED illumination throughout driving aisles and parking decks for heightened visibility and security.
• Base security monitoring, periodic security patrols, and 24-hour campus emergency call stations.
• Clear directional lane markings, pedestrian crossing paths, and interior wayfinding signage.
• Convenient campus pedestrian connections and shuttle bus stops linking to outpatient clinics and administrative buildings.

Ideal For

• Military servicemembers, clinical specialists, medical residents, and healthcare personnel working at Walter Reed.
• Patients and their families attending scheduled medical consultations, physical therapy, or surgical procedures.
• Students, faculty, and visiting scholars attending the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).
• Official defense, naval, and biomedical contractors conducting authorized business on NSA Bethesda.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Drivers visiting Bldg. 57 Garage should plan for additional transit time to clear mandatory gate security and vehicle inspection lanes, especially during weekday morning rush hours (6:30 AM to 8:30 AM). Always ensure valid government-issued photo identification, vehicle registration, and active vehicle insurance documents are readily available before approaching the gate sentry. Patients with mobility impairments should make note of elevators located on each deck or consider utilizing designated outpatient drop-off loops at main clinical entrances before parking. To avoid parking congestion during midday clinical peak hours, morning arrivals are recommended, and drivers should take a photo of their parking floor and aisle number for an easy return navigation at the end of the day.