Before you or your family can get onto Redstone Arsenal, you'll need to know which gates are open, how visitor registration works, and which ID to bring. Everything below comes from the installation's official pages, so check them again before you go.[1,2]
Redstone Arsenal gate hours
| Gate | Hours |
|---|---|
| Gate 9, Rideout Road (main gate) | Open 24/7 |
| Visitor Control Center (on the way to Gate 9) | 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Mon-Fri; closed federal holidays |
| Gate 1, Martin Road (East) | 5:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; outbound only 1:30-9 p.m., Mon-Fri; closed federal holidays. Truck lane 5:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Mon-Fri |
| Gate 3, Redstone Road | 6-9 a.m., Mon-Fri; closed federal holidays |
| Gate 7, Martin Road (West) | 5:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; outbound only 1:30-9 p.m., Mon-Fri; closed federal holidays |
| Gate 8, Goss Road (corner of Drake Ave. & Patton Rd.) | 1:45-9 p.m. Mon-Fri; 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat-Sun |
| Gate 10, Patton Road | 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Mon-Fri; closed federal holidays |
Hours were copied from the official visitor information page on October 24, 2026.[1]
How to get a Redstone Arsenal visitor pass
- Everyone entering must have a valid reason to be there and be registered in the Automated Installation Entry (AIE) system.[1]
- DoD ID / CAC holders are registered in AIE automatically the first time their card is scanned at a gate.[1]
- Everyone else registers at the Visitor Control Center outside Gate 9. Staff check your state or federal photo ID, run a background check, and take your photo.[1]
- The official page lists background-check results that will get you denied, including current warrants, felony convictions within the last 10 years, and registered sex offender status. Read the full list before you go.[1]
- For sponsorship, contractor access, and background-check details, see the installation's access control pages.[2]
REAL ID requirement
First-time visitors and employees must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card. Without one, you'll need an acceptable secondary ID, such as a certified birth certificate or a Permanent Resident Card. The official page lists the full set of acceptable documents.[1]
First-week logistics for new arrivals
- Check in with your unit or employer and confirm which gate and building you'll use.
- Visit Army Community Service (3443 Aerobee Road; Mon 1-4 p.m., Tue-Fri 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; 256-876-5397). Ask about relocation help, the household-goods lending closet, and the school liaison.[3]
- Get family members who don't have DoD IDs registered at the Visitor Control Center if they need access.[1]
- Book your ALEA driver license appointment and plan your county vehicle registration (both have 30-day deadlines). See the move guide.
- Continue with the first-90-days checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Which Redstone Arsenal gate is open 24/7?
Where is the Redstone Arsenal Visitor Control Center and what are its hours?
Do I need a REAL ID to get on Redstone Arsenal?
Do CAC holders need a visitor pass?
What can get a visitor denied at Redstone?
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 24, 2026. Rules, hours and figures change, so confirm with the official source before you act.