Lincoln reflecting pool

Question

I am planning to visit DC March 24-27 and wanted to ask if the Lincoln Pool will be full? I read it gets drained and cleaned annually around this time of year. Many Thanks!

Answer

The Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial is usually drained once a year for cleaning and maintenance, and this work often happens sometime between late winter and early spring. Because your visit is March 24–27, you’re traveling right in the window when the National Park Service sometimes performs this maintenance—but the exact dates vary year to year, and they do not always drain it in March.

What to Expect for Late March

In many years, the Reflecting Pool is full by mid- to late March, especially if cherry blossom season is approaching and visitor traffic is increasing. However, some years the cleaning does occur in March, leaving the pool empty or partially filled during that time. Unfortunately, the NPS does not announce the dates far in advance.

Most likely scenario: Based on typical maintenance patterns, there is a good chance the Reflecting Pool will be full or refilling by March 24–27, but it is not guaranteed.

What You Can Do

Check NPS alerts for the National Mall about 1–2 weeks before your trip—they update construction/maintenance notices frequently.
Monitor local DC news the week before; they often report when the pool is drained or refilled.
Even if drained, the Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, and Reflecting Pool area are still scenic and fully accessible.

If the pool is empty, here’s what you still get:

A clear, beautiful view from the Lincoln Memorial steps toward the Washington Monument.
Easy walking paths along the pool.
Less crowding around the pool's edges.

Bottom Line

The Reflecting Pool is often full by late March, but because the cleaning schedule varies, there’s a small chance it may still be empty during your dates. Check NPS updates closer to your trip for the most accurate information.

Lincoln reflecting pool

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