The U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is pleased to invite the public back to the Batavia, Illinois, site, beginning March 28. With the arrival of spring, the lab grounds will again be open to the public for outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, running and viewing the bison herd. There will be only limited access to indoor areas at this time, as most public events and lectures will continue to be held virtually. All events are listed on Fermilab’s calendar of events.
As we reopen to the public, we have new visiting hours and access requirements in place, outlined below. We value our strong relationship with our community and look forward to welcoming everyone back with these new requirements in place.
Hours and access
- Two site entrances are open to the public: Pine Street and Batavia Road. The Wilson Road entrance is closed to the public.
Fermilab will reopen to the public and visitors on March 28. The outside recreation areas will be open daily from dawn to dusk including the areas to view the bison herd. Photo: Ryan Postel, Fermilab
- Hours for outdoor visitors are dawn to dusk every day.
- The Lederman Science Center (LSC) is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; the center is closed Sundays and Fermilab holidays. The LSC restrooms and drinking water will be available for the public on these days and times.
- Wilson Hall is currently closed to the public. It will be available for scheduled public tours, which will be posted at ed.fnal.gov.
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. 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.
- Prohibited public use of the Fermilab site includes operations of drones. Fishing, ice skating and dog-walking/dog run are currently not allowed. All outdoor activities must take place on designated site paths, trails or roads.
ID requirements
- All visitors 18 and older, including those on foot or on bicycle, as well as all adult passengers in vehicles, will be asked to show a government-issued photo ID to access the site. Those who have not yet obtained a REAL ID-compliant ID (REAL ID drivers’ license or passport) are encouraged to obtain one. Only REAL ID-compliant IDs will be accepted after May 3, 2023.
- After IDs are checked at the entrance gate, public visitors will receive a red sticker that must be visible all times when on the Fermilab site.
- Minors (children under age 18) must be accompanied by an adult.
COVID-19 protocols
The public is welcomed to visit the Lederman Science Center to interact with science exhibits and to participate in education and public engagement programs and events. It is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.– 3 p.m. Saturday; the center is closed Sundays and Fermilab holidays. Photo: Ryan Postel, Fermilab
- We recommend that you bring a face mask with you when visiting the lab. Visit https://www.fnal.gov/pub/visiting/hours/ to learn the current site safety requirements.
- At this time during a Low Community Level, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test are not required for public visitors entering indoor areas, and masks generally are not required except for certain designated spaces.
- If Community Levels rise to Medium or High, attesting for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the past 72 hours will be required to access indoor areas. Please see the Fermilab visitors site for guidance and updates including masking.
Fermilab is pleased to welcome the public once again to enjoy leisure activities on site. The public can provide feedback at Fermilab@fnal.gov. Additional information and details regarding Fermilab site access hours and requirements can be found on the Fermilab visitors site. Fermilab’s schedule and list of education and public engagement offerings can be found on the calendar for upcoming public events.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is America’s premier national laboratory for particle physics research. A U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science laboratory, Fermilab is located near Chicago, Illinois, and operated under contract by the Fermi Research Alliance LLC. Visit Fermilab’s website at https://www.fnal.gov and follow us on Twitter @Fermilab.
The DOE Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov.