From the west: Northwest Washington, D.C.or Northern Virginia coming from American Legion Bridge (across the Potomac River). Examples: Silver Spring, Rockville, Bethesda, Kensington, West Alexandria, Fairfax, or BARC-West (Beltsville)

Follow Beltway 495/I-95 to Exit 25A, Route 1, north to Beltsville. Drive about 2 miles and turn right on Rt. 212 (Power Mill Road). Go over bridge, cross thru light at Edmonston Rd. Into the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC)-East. The ARS National Visitor Center (Log Lodge, Building 302) is approximately 1.5 miles on right.

Telephone: 301-504-9403

From the south: Richmond, Virginia; Southern Maryland; East and Southeast Washington, D.C. or Northern Virginia coming from Woodrow Wilson Bridge (across the Potomac River). St. Mary's County, Upper Marlboro, Forestville, Oxon Hill, Andrews Air Force Base.

Follow Beltway 495/I-95 to Exit 22 (Baltimore Washington Parkway) north. Continue north several miles and look for signs to BARC (clearly marked). At the end of the Exit ramp, turn left on Rt. 212 (Powder Mill Rd.) and continue for 1.5 miles. The ARS National Visitor Center in on the left (Log Lodge, Building 302).

Another route:
Follow Beltway 495/I-95 north to Exit 23 (Kenilworth Avenue) toward Greenbelt. Follow Kenilworth 2 miles (it changes to Edmonston Rd.) and turn right onto Powder Mill Rd. (Rt.212) at the light. This is the entrance to BARC East. The ARS National Visitor Center is 1.5 miles on right.

From the north: Baltimore, Philadelphia, Delaware.

Follow I-95 south to the Baltimore Washington Parkway exit 52, Route 295 south toward BWI airport. The drive takes about 20 minutes from the airport to the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center exit. Turn right on Powder Mill Road (Rt. 212) and continue for 1.5 miles to the ARS National Visitor Center (Building 302, Log Lodge) on the left.

Another route:
Follow I-95 from Baltimore about 18 miles to exit 29 at Rt. 212 (Powder Mill Road). Drive east through 4 traffic lights to the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center entrance. Continue on Powder Mill Rd. for 1.5 miles and turn right to the ARS National Visitor Center (Building 302, Log Lodge).

ARS National Visitor Center Home Page

ARS News and Information Page

ARS Home Page