The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is a popular spot for protests, celebrations, and photos. It's known for its peaceful atmosphere but also for its murkiness and gnat-filled air.

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is many things.

Murky. Peaceful. Stinky. The backdrop for protests, vigils, celebrations and stunning sunrise photos. Beset by gnats and algae. Scenery for a run. A key part of the capital’s carefully designed monumental core. The location of an iconic scene in “Forrest Gump.”

One thing it’s generally not: a strictly enforced police zone.