Visitors Center Closed Until Further Notice Due to Sequestration

About the National Center:

The National Center is the headquarters of the USGS, which serves as the Nation’s premier earth and biological science agency. The USGS works in cooperation with more than 2,000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is used to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters; safeguard the nation’s natural resources and enhance the quality of life through the careful monitoring of our water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.

Visiting USGS in Reston - Address and Directions to the USGS

Address: USGS Headquarters 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, VA 20192

Directions to the USGS from the Beltway (I-495): Take the Dulles Toll Road west to exit 12, Reston Parkway. Turn left (south) onto Reston Parkway. At second light, turn right onto Sunrise Valley Drive and at second light, turn left at USGS Drive. A sign will indicate visitor parking.

To get to the USGS by Metrobus and Metrorail: A bus comes to the USGS from the West Falls Church Metro Station (Orange Line). For exact information regarding bus number, fares, and times of departure, call 202-637-7000.

Admission to the USGS building:

Follow signs from the Visitors Parking. All visitors must enter at the Visitors Entrance and pass through a security screening process. All packages, briefcases, handbags, etc. will be scanned. Visitors must sign in and present a picture identification, such as a State driver’s license. The guard will then issue a visitor’s badge that must be worn at all times.

Note: Children under the age of 16 accompanied by a parent or sponsor (such as a teacher or counselor) are not subject to the entry screening process.

Visitors bringing laptop computers into the building are required to write the word “laptop” and the serial number on the sign-in beneath their printed name.