Facility Overview

Washington Temple Parking serves the iconic Washington D.C. Temple and Visitors\' Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nestled on a picturesque 52-acre wooded hilltop at 9900 Stoneybrook Drive in Kensington, Maryland. The facility features expansive, well-maintained surface parking lots directly adjacent to the temple grounds, the Visitors\' Center, and administrative facilities. Because the primary visitor and patron parking areas are open-air surface lots, there are virtually no vertical height restrictions, making them exceptionally accommodating for standard passenger sedans, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, passenger vans, and motorcoaches or church tour buses.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Instantly recognizable for its soaring marble spires and golden Angel Moroni statue visible from the Capital Beltway (I-495), this destination draws visitors from around the globe. Key nearby attractions and landmarks include:

• Washington D.C. Temple Visitors\' Center & Reflection Gardens: Located directly on site (under a 2-minute walk), offering interactive exhibits, tours, and the annual Festival of Lights during the holiday season.
• Rock Creek Stream Valley Park: Bordering the property along Beach Drive, offering scenic biking and walking trails directly accessible within 5 minutes.
• Historic Kensington Antique Row: Situated approximately 1.5 miles north (a 5-minute drive), featuring vintage boutiques, craft cafes, and antique dealers.
• Downtown Bethesda: Located roughly 4 miles southwest (a 10-minute drive), offering world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) & Walter Reed National Military Medical Center: Roughly 3.5 miles away via MD-185/Connecticut Avenue.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The facility benefits from exceptional regional connectivity. It sits directly off the Capital Beltway (I-495) between Exit 33 (MD-185/Connecticut Ave) and Exit 31 (MD-97/Georgia Ave). Ingress is managed smoothly via dedicated entry drives off Stoneybrook Drive, leading onto Temple Way with clear internal directional signage dividing visitor, patron, and bus traffic. For transit riders, Montgomery County Ride On Bus routes (such as Route 33 and Route 34) provide service along nearby Connecticut Avenue and University Boulevard, with connections to the Medical Center and Forest Glen Metrorail stations on the WMATA Red Line.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Spacious, paved, open-air surface parking lots with wide driving aisles.
• Complimentary parking for all temple patrons, event attendees, and Visitors\' Center guests.
• Designated accessible (ADA) spaces located adjacent to the Visitors\' Center entrance and temple pathways.
• Dedicated stalls and staging loops for chartered tour buses and large group vans.
• High-visibility lighting throughout all walkways and lots for safe evening and night visits.
• Manned greeting booths and on-site staff/volunteers during peak events and holiday exhibitions.

Ideal For

• Patrons, members, and families attending services and ceremonies at the Washington D.C. Temple.
• Tourists and sightseers visiting the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors\' Center, exhibits, and botanical grounds.
• Families and holiday travelers attending the renowned winter Festival of Lights.
• Tour groups arriving via motorcoach or high-roof passenger vans.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking is free of charge year-round; however, during the annual winter Festival of Lights (December through early January), demand peaks dramatically in the late afternoon and evening. During this festival period, advance complimentary parking passes are often required online to manage vehicle queues on Stoneybrook Drive. Drivers should arrive in the early afternoon or during daylight hours to explore the grounds before crowds peak. When entering from I-495, be mindful of local speed limits and residential school zones along Stoneybrook Drive and Beach Drive.