FAQs

General

Capitol Campus' grounds are open to the public dawn to dusk every day.

The Legislative Building is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and most holidays. The building is closed on Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Learn more about visiting hours.

Exploring Capitol Campus can take 30 minutes up to three hours or more. Check out a few sample itineraries to see our recommendations on how to spend your next visit!

Capitol Campus does not have any entry fees, but you must pay to park on campus.

Visit the Washington State Legislature for information regarding the Legislative Session calendar.

Legislative Building

The Legislative Building is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and most holidays. The building is closed on Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Learn more about visiting hours.

Yes! You are free to walk right into the Legislative Building during visiting hours. However, some rooms have restricted access, and others can only be accessed during Legislative Building tours.

Yes. Backpacks, bags, and purses are allowed in the Legislative Building.

Yes. You're allowed to take photos on Capitol Campus grounds and inside the Legislative Building. However, tripods and other large equipment are not allowed.

Learn more about Capitol Campus photography policies.

Parking

If you're visiting Capitol Campus for a tour, event, or hearing, you can park in our visitor parking lots. Visitor parking is available at the:

Learn more about directions and parking.

Most of the time, yes. Visitor parking costs $2 per hour weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but is free on evenings and weekends. Parking meters accept credit and debit cards.

Learn more about parking on Capitol Campus.

Yes. Parking for visitors or employees with disabilities is available in all lots and garages on Capitol Campus.

Check out the ADA parking map (PDF 246 KB) and get information on accessible doors and parking for the Legislative Building.

Yes. Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are available for visitors at Capitol Gateway Park, the Natural Resources Building, and on level A of the Plaza Garage.

Charging costs:

  • $0.25 per kWh at Capitol Gateway Park (four-hour limit). After four hours, you must pay $5 per hour to park here.
  • $0.39 per kWh at the Natural Resources Building (30-minute limit), plus $1 per hour to park here from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • No charging fee in the Plaza Garage (four-hour limit). You must pay $2 per hour to park here from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Intercity Transit buses make multiple stops along Capitol Way. The stops closest to the Legislative Building are located at the intersections of 11th Avenue Southeast and 14th Avenue Southeast.

Tours

We offer guided Legislative Building tours, Governor's Mansion tours, and botanical tours. If you prefer to explore Capitol Campus on your own, consider a self-guided or virtual tour.

We also offer school field trips for teachers interesting in bringing their students to campus.

If you're touring the Legislative Building with a group of less than 10 people, you do not have to reserve a spot for a tour. However, this tour is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are a group of 10 or more, please reserve space in advance by calling the State Capitol Tour Office at 360-902-8880. Advance reservations are limited to 20 spaces per tour.

You must reserve a spot in advance for all other Capitol Campus tours.

Guided tours are currently unavailable in other languages, but we do offer translated self-guided materials.

We make every effort to accommodate American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation needs, but we do require at least a two-week notice to ensure we can get an interpreter in time for your tour. 

Please contact the State Capitol Tour Office for more information.

Events

Yes! Learn more about the types of events you can hold on campus. You should also know what events require a permit.

You need to pay for event permits and other services as needed. Visit our event and use fees page to find out how much your event will cost.

Yes. You can set up display tables, tents, and booths, but these items require a permit.

Learn more about Capitol Campus rules and safety.

You can use sound-amplifying equipment outside. Sound amplification is not allowed inside any buildings. Your volume cannot violate Olympia city ordinances or disrupt the work happening inside nearby buildings.

Learn more about Capitol Campus rules and safety.

Rules

Yes. Dogs and other pets are welcome on campus grounds, but they are not allowed inside buildings. For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, pets must always be under your physical control and cleaned up after. Service animals can be dogs of any breed and size that are trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability. 

Learn more about service animals and pets on campus.

No. Drones are not allowed at Capitol Campus unless otherwise approved.

Learn more about Capitol Campus drone policies.

Food and drinks are allowed on Capitol Campus grounds as long as waste is disposed of properly. Food and drinks may be prohibited in buildings on campus. Alcohol is not allowed anywhere on campus.

WAC Chapter 200-220 outlines the rules direct the use of public areas of Capitol Campus buildings and grounds for free speech, assembly, commercial, and private activities.

To learn more, visit DES.wa.gov and view the Campus User Guide.