Korean War Veterans Memorial

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Parks

District-Of-Columbia

Nearby: Lincoln Memorial Constitution Gardens

Last Updated: December 4, 2025

The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

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Summary

is a tribute to the men and women who served in the Korean War. The memorial features a circular pool surrounded by 19 larger-than-life-size statues of soldiers representing all branches of the U.S. military who served in the Korean War.

Visiting the Korean War Veterans Memorial is a great way to pay tribute to those who served in the Korean War and learn more about this important conflict. Some specific points of interest to see include the statues of soldiers, the "Freedom Is Not Free" inscription, and the nearby Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Interesting facts about the Korean War Veterans Memorial include that the statues were designed to appear as if they are "on patrol," and that the pool represents the "perpetual presence" of those who died in the war. The memorial is also designed to be especially poignant at night, when the statues are illuminated and their shadows are cast onto a nearby wall.

The best time of year to visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and the crowds are less dense. However, the memorial is open year-round and is free to visit at any time.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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