Facility Overview

The MLP-6 Parking Garage (Multi-Level Parking 6) is a vital structured parking facility located along Lincoln Drive within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) main campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Designed to serve medical researchers, administrative staff, patient families, and credentialed visitors, the garage features a modern, multi-tier covered design engineered to maximize vehicle capacity while maintaining smooth campus traffic flow. MLP-6 easily accommodates standard passenger cars, minivans, and compact-to-midsize SUVs. Drivers of full-size pickup trucks, commercial transport, and vehicles equipped with roof racks or cargo carriers should observe the posted vertical clearance height restrictions (typically standard garage clearance of 6 feet 8 inches to 7 feet). Overheight vehicles and oversized vans are directed to designated surface parking lots elsewhere on the perimeter campus grounds.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

MLP-6 occupies a central position on the sprawling 300-plus acre federal biomedical research campus in Bethesda. The garage provides immediate, pedestrian-friendly connectivity to several landmark facilities:

• NIH Building 31 (Claude D. Pepper Building): Situated within a short 3 to 5-minute walk, serving as a primary administrative hub.
• NIH Clinical Center (Building 10 - Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center): Located just minutes away by foot or accessible via the complimentary on-campus NIH shuttle.
• National Library of Medicine (NLM): Walking distance across campus pathways, housing the world\'s largest biomedical library collection.
• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center: Directly opposite Rockville Pike, accessible via short rideshare or direct pedestrian underpass connections.
• Downtown Bethesda: Located approximately 1.5 miles south, offering premier shopping along Bethesda Row, numerous hotel options, and dozens of award-winning restaurants.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Because MLP-6 is situated within the secure federal perimeter of the NIH campus, campus access protocols apply. Visitors arriving by personal vehicle must enter through designated security checkpoints—typically the NIH Gateway Center or Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility located off Rockville Pike (MD-355)—where valid government-issued photo identification and security screenings are conducted. Once inside the perimeter, Lincoln Drive provides direct navigation to MLP-6. Egress during morning and afternoon shift changes is actively managed by NIH transit protocols. The facility offers superb transit connectivity: the Medical Center Metro Station on the Washington Metro Red Line sits right at the campus boundary, complemented by Ride On bus lines, Metrobus, and campus-wide perimeter shuttles that link MLP-6 to all major campus sectors.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Multi-level covered parking providing dependable protection from inclement weather, snow, and summer heat.
• Energy-efficient LED interior lighting, open sightlines, and emergency call boxes located on parking levels.
• Designated ADA accessible parking spaces strategically positioned adjacent to elevator towers and stairwells.
• Dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging stations available for registered staff and visitors.
• Automated ticket dispensers and multi-space pay stations accepting major credit cards and mobile payment solutions.
• Round-the-clock monitoring and patrols coordinated through the NIH Division of Police and security services.

Ideal For

• NIH healthcare providers, scientific researchers, and administrative personnel working on the Bethesda campus.
• Visiting clinical trial participants, patient family members, and invited research seminar guests.
• Federal contractors and collaborating university scholars attending campus conferences and academic symposiums.
• Commuters utilizing designated campus shuttle transfer hubs.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Visitors planning to park at MLP-6 should build in an extra 20 to 30 minutes prior to appointments to complete required federal security screening at the NIH visitor gateways. Ensure you have your driver\'s license or passport accessible before reaching the campus gate. Keep your parking ticket inside your vehicle or wallet out of direct sunlight, and pay at the automated walk-up pay stations before returning to your vehicle to ensure a smooth exit gate departure. During peak arrival hours between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM, parking spaces on the lower tiers fill quickly; proceeding directly to upper levels will save significant search time.