Plan Your Visit

We're excited to welcome you to NCTC! Below is everything you need to know before you arrive for your training or event.

Information You Need to Know

Current Rates and Costs

NCTC has a meals and lodging package that is based on the GSA per diem rates. All course and event participants who stay onsite must participate in the meal plan. Guests, regardless of organizational affiliation, who do not wish to comply, must stay offsite at their own expense. GSA updates the per diem rates annually; NCTC uses the per diem rates for zip code 25443 (Jefferson County, WV). Current rates can be found on the GSA website at https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates

The current meal and lodging package rates can be found at https://www.fws.gov/page/current-rates.

Confirm Your Lodging Reservation

Once officially notified you have been accepted for class enrollment, call NCTC Hotel Reservations at 877-706-6282 or 304-876-7900 to confirm your lodging room. Individual reservations should be made no later than 60 days prior to the start of your event to guarantee your onsite room. Rooms that have not been confirmed within six weeks will be released. If no rooms are available when you call, you will need to find a room at a local hotel (and your station will be responsible for costs) or you will have to cancel out of the class.

When calling to reserve your lodging, please communicate to hotel reservations any special needs or accommodations. This includes dietary restrictions, special requests (e.g. family attendees, special deliveries, service animals, etc.). If you require a mobility scooter, wheel chair, or other accessibility accommodations during your visit, please let hotel reservations know in advance.

          Check-in/Check-out: You may check-in on your scheduled arrival date at any time after 1:00pm. at the Confluence Center. Check-out time is 12:00noon on your scheduled departure date.

If your event does not have an onsite guestroom block for you, then you are considered a commuter. If you need cancel your reservation or need assistance finding local accommodations, please contact the Scheduling and Event Management Team at (304)876-7220 or contact them at nctc_semteam@fws.gov. 

No pets are allowed on the NCTC grounds; only service animals and animals specifically designated for training and education purposes are authorized on NCTC grounds. For more information, please see our Facility Rules and Policy at https://www.fws.gov/nctc/visit-us/rules-policies. 

Before You Leave Home

What to Bring 

NCTC is a training facility for conservation professionals. General attire for NCTC training courses is casual dress. The NCTC is a walking campus, so sturdy, comfortable shoes are strongly recommended. Suitable clothing should be brought if you wish to participate in recreational activities. There are walking trails and a gym on-site. We recommend appropriate seasonal clothing and personal health items (e.g. sunblock, bug spray, etc.).

Note: As of June 2026, it is recommended that you bring personal entertainment devices (Roku, Firesticks, etc.) as our campus does not currently support cable services. 

Getting Here 

Address: 698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV 25443

Shuttle to/from Dulles Airport

Standard shuttle service is available only from Dulles International Airport. The fee is $100.00 per person for round trip and is payable at the NCTC Front Desk upon checkout; there is no discount for a one-way trip. 

There is no shuttle charge for children under 2 years of age.

If you want to use the shuttle you MUST make a reservation through the Hotel Reservations office at 304-876-7900. Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 

Sunday Arrivals (or Monday Federal Holiday)

          Depart Dulles: 1:00 PM ET - Arrive NCTC: 3:00 PM ET

          Depart Dulles: 4:00 PM ET - Arrive NCTC: 6:00 PM ET

          Depart Dulles: 7:00 PM ET - Arrive NCTC: 9:00 PM ET 

Friday Departures

          Depart NCTC: 1:30 PM ET - Arrive Dulles: 3:30 PM ET

In the event that a federal holiday weekend either precedes or follows your class dates, special shuttle times may be in effect. Shuttle schedules are based on participation and occasionally may be canceled, additionally, special shuttles that do not align with this schedule may have been added based on program events and needs. Please contact the Hotel Reservations office to confirm shuttle dates/times.

Shuttle Pickup

From the main terminal, follow the signs to baggage pickup and proceed to the appropriate baggage carousel to claim your luggage. Once you have claimed your luggage, proceed to exit door 7, directly across from the luggage carousels 2 and 3. Proceed Up Stairs to the shuttle pickup location.  (DO NOT GO DOWNSTAIRS AS THE DULLES SIGNAGE INDICATES). The bus is identified as 'Reston Limousine Service' along with an 'NCTC placard'. Picture ID is required to board the shuttle. The shuttle departs on time. 

Return Shuttle to Dulles Airport: The night before your departure, you will receive your shuttle boarding instructions, which will include the time of departure and location.  If you have any questions, please contact the Front Desk at 7403, or by dialing 0 from any phone on campus.

Shuttle Cancellations

All guests must cancel their shuttle reservations no later than 48 hours prior to the start of their event. Please call (877) 706-6282 to cancel your reservation. If a reservation is not canceled prior to this deadline, the credit card used by the guest to confirm their reservation will be debited for the full amount of the shuttle cost.

While You're Here 

Dining

Dining services are available on the second floor of the Headwaters Lodge. A wide variety of menu items are offered, including vegetarian and vegan diets; allergens for menu items are available in the servery during mealtimes. For special requests or restrictions (e.g., allergies), contact hotel reservations. Food and beverage services and hours may vary on weekends, based upon occupancy. 

Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Late Arrivals/Early Departures. Guests are responsible for informing the Front Desk if they anticipate arriving after 7:30pm on the date of check-in or if they anticipate leaving earlier than lunch on their day of checkout. Late arrivals can request a boxed dinner and early departures can request a bagged lunch; boxed dinners can be picked up at the front desk at check-in and bagged lunches can be picked up at breakfast in the dining hall on your day of checkout.  Guests may request to cancel this meal by submitting a Meal Waiver form two weeks in advance of their arrival. Guests who do not submit a Meal Waiver form two weeks in advance of their arrival will be charged upon checkout. In cases of inclement weather or missed travel connections, guests must still request and complete this Meal Waiver form so they will not be charged for the meal.

Meal Waiver Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/qvnJk3HzH5 

Lodging 

All lodge rooms include a private guest room with a full-size bed and private bath, extra blankets, towels, toiletries, hair dryers in each unit, and first floor
community laundry facilities. For additional amenities, contact the front desk. 

Lodges: Kitchenettes are located on the first floor of each lodge for your convenience, with a microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, and ice machine. Kitchenettes are supplied with coffee packets, sugar, sweetener, and half-and-half. Lodges also include a communal seating area for informal gatherings. 

Guest Amenities on Campus

Gift Shop: The Gift Shop is located on the first floor of the Headwaters Lodge and sells gifts, toiletries, basic medications, maps, books, cards and NCTC souvenirs. Store hours are based on weekly attendance.

Gym: The gym is a complete health and fitness facility with a full-size gymnasium and weight room.

Social Lounge: The Social Lounge is located in the Headwaters Lodge. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are available. Only alcohol purchased at the NCTC Lounge is permitted in the Headwaters Lodge and adjacent patios.

           Hours: Sunday - Thursday 5:30PM - 11:00PM ET and on occupied weekends. Hours are subject to change during low-attendance periods. 

Comfort Room: NCTC offers private, comfortable wellness rooms equipped with seating and electrical outlets for nursing parents and families.

Early Childhood Education Center: NCTC has an on-site early childhood education center for children up to the kindergarten age. You will need to register at least 2 weeks in advance. Spaces are first come first serve. Contact the Children's Tree House Director Nickie Haynes via email nickie@childrenstreehouse.org or by calling at 304-876-7354. 

For additional information: The Front Desk is staffed 24 hours a day when there are students on campus. You can reach the Front Desk by dialing 304-876-1600.

Additional Resources

A list of our Frequently Asked Questions are available at https://www.fws.gov/question-answer/nctc-freqently-asked-questions. 

If you have a question that is not on this list, please send it in an email to nctc_semteam@fws.gov. We will respond to you as soon as we are able.