Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

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A row of cannon with Fort Moultrie in the background. A US flag is flying in the fort.
Fort Moultrie spans 171 years from 1776-1947
Fort Sumter with a US flag flying above the fort with dock in the foreground
Fort Sumter is located on an island in Charleston Harbor and is only accessible by boat.
Civil War cannon sitting on carriage pointing towards firing hole in brick wall
Fort Sumter cannon sitting on cannon carriage under a brick casemate
Center of image is round metal and glass signal light with grassy hills hills in background
Interior View of Fort Moultrie featuring the World War II signal light with grass hills and black concrete gun bateries
A three-story brick structure with a staircase in front and water in the background
The Fort Sumter Visitor Center is the primary departure point for the ferries to Fort Sumter.
Photos: National Park Service

About Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to preserve slavery, construction on a new fort, Fort Sumter, proceeded. The Confederacy fired on the US garrison of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861 opening the Civil War, which redefined American freedom.

Quick Facts

State South Carolina
Designation National Historical Park
State Code SC
Weather Mild winters. Hot and humid during the summer.

Location & Map

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park is located in South Carolina.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person $10.00

Fort Moultrie charges a per person entrance fee for adults. Anyone 16 years old or older is considered an adult.

Operating Hours

Fort Moultrie represents the entire history of static seacoast defenses in the United States, from the American Revolution through World War II. The site includes a visitor center with museum exhibits. The Fort Moultrie Visitor Center is open daily 9:00 am-4:30 pm. The fort itself is open until 4:30 pm all year. There is an entrance fee for the park.

Wednesday 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Monday 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday 9:00AM - 4:30PM

Activities

Astronomy Stargazing Boating Boat Tour Fishing Saltwater Fishing Food Dining Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Boat Tour Hands-On Citizen Science Living History Reenactments Historic Weapons Demonstration Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

Fort Sumter is accessible by ferry boat. Boats depart at scheduled times from two sites. The primary departure point is the Fort Sumter Visitor Center, 340 Concord Street, Charleston. Boats also depart from Patriots Point, 40 Patriots Point Boulevard, Mount Pleasant. There is a fee for the concession-operated ferry. Fort Moultrie is accessible by car at 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island. A park entrance fee is charged for the park. Details at: https://www.nps.gov/fosu/planyourvisit/directions.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 340 Concord Street, Charleston, SC, 29401
Phone (843) 883-3123
Email fosu_information@nps.gov

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park $35.00

The Fort Moultrie Annual Park Pass provides entry into Fort Moultrie for the pass holder and 3 other adults. The pass is valid for a year from the date of purchase. Each Fort Moultrie Annual Park Pass may have 2 separate passholders.

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building African American Heritage American Revolution Archeology Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite Colonization and Settlement Engineering Enslavement Farming and Agriculture Plantations Forts Incarceration Jails and Prisons Immigration Maritime Coastal Defenses Maritime - Military Lighthouses Piracy and Privateering Medicine Hospital Military Infantry and Militia Artillery US Army US Navy US Coast Guard Indigenous and Native Warrior Battlefields Monuments and Memorials Native American Heritage Reconstruction Schools and Education Social Movements Abolition Movement Civil Rights Wars and Conflicts Tribal Conflicts Colonial/European Contact Conflicts American Revolutionary War War of 1812 Civil War Spanish-American War World War I World War II Animals Birds Fish Tortoises and Turtles Night Sky Astronomy Scenic Views Wetlands Marshes Swamps

Visitor Centers

Fort Moultrie Visitor Center

The Fort Moultrie Visitor Center is located at 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC. Inside are museum exhibits, a 22-minute orientation film and a museum…

Hours: The Fort Moultrie Visitor Center and Fort are open daily 9:00 am-4:30 pm. Park is closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, and open all other federal holidays. There is an entrance fee for the park.

Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square

The primary departure point for Fort Sumter is the Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square, located at 340 Concord Street, in downtown Charleston. Visitors…

Hours: The Fort Sumter Visitor Center is open daily all year from 9:00 am- 4:30 pm except for New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. This visitor center is free. There is a fee for the concession-operated ferry to Fort Sumter.

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