Visit Fermilab

Hours and general public access

Hours

Outdoor visiting hours:

Dawn to dusk every day of the week.

Lederman Science Center:

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturdays; closed Sundays and Fermilab holidays.

Wilson Hall:

The atrium, cafeteria, second floor cross over and ground floor credit union are open to the public Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please visit ed.fnal.gov to learn about available tours.

Activities

Outdoor activities

The public is invited to Fermilab to visit its bison herd and interpretive trails, and to enjoy walking, hiking, bicycling, running, rollerblading, skateboarding, roller-skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, bird watching, photography, and painting. Leashed dogs are permitted in designated outdoor public areas. The public must remain in designated public areas at all times and comply with all site rules and allowed uses in a safe manner, including complying with all traffic laws and driving rules as well as site signage. The public must not pass through Fermilab, but rather leave by the same entrance through which they arrived.

Prohibited public use of the Fermilab site includes operation of drones. Fishing, ice skating and geocaching are not allowed.

Education and public engagement activities

The public is welcome to visit the Lederman Science Center to interact with science exhibits and to participate in education and public engagement programs and events.

To learn more about Fermilab's in-person and virtual education and public engagement activities, please visit ed.fnal.gov.

Public access to the Fermilab site

Identification requirements and scan

All visitors 18 and older, including those on foot or on bicycle, as well as all adult passengers in vehicles, will be asked to present a REAL ID-compliant identification (REAL ID driver's license or passport) to access the site. Only REAL ID-compliant identification documents will be accepted. This requirement is in accordance with the REAL ID Act governing access to U.S. government facilities.

At the security gate, members of the public will have their REAL ID-compliant identification document scanned by the security guards using an IDScan system. The system allows for quicker access and more effective tracking of those entering the site.

Information from the document will be stored for 90 days to adhere to U.S. Department of Energy's guidelines. This data is used for age verification, identity confirmation and visitor check-ins. After 90 days, the information is automatically deleted. Information stored for 90 days will be first name, middle name, last name, age and visit information (such as type of visit, date and time of visit).*

Minors (children under age 18) must be accompanied by an adult. All visitors must remain in public areas.

COVID-19 protocols

Our priority is the health and well-being of the Fermilab community, including our visitors. Please do not visit if you feel unwell or are experiencing symptoms.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place. Those visiting Fermilab do so at their own risk to such exposure.

During a Low and Medium Community Levels, masks are not required on site unless otherwise posted.

During High Community Levels, masks are required to access indoor areas.

Additional general public access information

Public visitors may enter Fermilab through either of two entrances: Pine Street in Batavia, Illinois, or the Batavia Road entrance in Warrenville, Illinois. Delivery trucks must use the Wilson Street entrance in Batavia; the Wilson Street entrance is closed to the public.

Upon presenting your ID at the security gate, you must tell the security officer the purpose of your visit.

Certain areas of the site and roadways are open to the public; others are accessible only with a Fermilab or DOE ID badge. If you need help finding your way around the site, the security officer can provide a map and directions to your destination. Roadways that are off limits to the public are clearly marked with signs.

Members of the public, including unbadged family members of Fermilab employees, users and affiliates, may only access buildings on a scheduled Education and Public Engagement Office tour or planned event, with the exception of the Lederman Science Center and the areas of Wilson Hall listed above.

Business visitors may access the site with a trained escort and following applicable Fermilab policies.

More information regarding access and badging for employees, users, affiliates, business visitors and subcontractors can be found at: get-connected.fnal.gov.

For questions, please contact fermilab@fnal.gov.