On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two ships loading ammunition for Pacific troops exploded, resulting in the worst home front disaster of WWII. The aftermath i
Free — you won’t need your pass here.
Free entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
- Fee type No fee — No fee is charged here.
- HoursThe Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is located on Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) and is an active base. Due to its location, tours are only available with reservations on a ranger-guided tour. Publ
- Source National Park Service ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Confirmed
- Official pagewww.nps.gov ↗
- Contact 9252288860 · poch_general_info@nps.gov
The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is on an active military base, so it is only accessible by reservation. The shuttle picks up visitors with reservations at the John Muir National Historic Site. Please know that all visitors for the memorial must have a reservation. Please visit our
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
No Is there a fee at Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial?
No — it’s free to enter, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
Depends Can you bring a dog?
Usually only leashed and in developed areas, campgrounds, and paved paths — not on most trails or in buildings. Pet rules vary by park, so check first.
No Are drones allowed?
No — launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited on National Park Service land.
Depends What are the hours?
The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is located on Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) and is an active base. Due to its location, tours are only available with reservations on a ranger-guided tour. Publ
Nearby sites
NPS Photo National Park Service John Muir National Historic Site
ConfirmedFree entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
Mx. Granger / CC0 · Wikimedia Commons Bureau of Reclamation Contra Loma Reservoir
CheckReclamation honors the pass at only a handful of sites — confirm before you rely on it here.
