NPS The rolling hills and narrow valleys of East Tennessee proved to be the ideal location for the top-secret atomic weapons program developed here beginning in 1942. Oak Ridge, Tennessee was home to several massive Manhattan Project facilities employing thousands of workers during and after World War II and was the headquarters for the project after relocating from New York City. These facilities in Oak Ridge operated with one goal in mind—enriching uranium for use in the world’s first atomic bomb. Today the city is home to a wealth of historic sites that tell the remarkable story of the Manhattan Project and the dawn of the atomic age. Drop by our visitor center to speak with park rangers, stamp your passport book, pick up a junior ranger book, and learn about ranger programs.
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Basic Information We offer a traditional passport stamp as well as a unique three-part stamp. Travel to our visitor centers in Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, and the Tri-Cities to receive one-third of a stamp. When all three pieces are put together, they make a whole stamp.
Many of the park’s historic properties are located “behind the fence” on secure Department of Energy facilities. Public access is only permitted though public tours facilitated by the Department of Energy.
If you are planning to explore areas of the park that are closed to pets, we recommend that you contact a local pet care provider. Commercial kennels and pet sitters are available in surrounding communities. Please check local listings. Reservations are strongly advised and may be required. The National Park Service has a national policy on service animals that applies to all parks which can be found here: Service Animals - Accessibility (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). For more information about pets in parks, visit the National Park Pets website.
WiFi service is currently not available. However, cellular service is excellent throughout Oak Ridge.
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Last updated: August 14, 2025