Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
National Monument and Historic Shrine · MD
4 noticesfrom the National Park Service
Information · Baltimore Area Traffic Advisory
Traffic in the Baltimore area has increased considerably in recent months due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge which connected the Baltimore beltway. Please check the latest traffic conditions to plan your travel accordingly.
Information · Motorized Recreational Scooters Not Permitted in Park
For the safety and protection of visitors and park resources, motorized scooters are not permitted within the park. Any vehicles (scooters, bicycles, etc.) that are part of a ride-share program may not be left behind for pick up inside the park
Information · Preservation Work Along Trails
Starting March 18, preservationists restoring the bronze state plaques along the entrance road, and the War of 1812 commemorative markers in the Orpheus Grove. Some of these areas may be temporarily closed while work is in progress.
Information · We cannot mail out at this time
We do not mail Junior Ranger books; please download from site. Completed books may be submitted digitally. Junior Ranger badges may be mailed once per person per calendar year after completion. We do not mail completed books back.
More information
by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars... were so gallantly streaming...over Fort McHenry! The valiant defense of the fort during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the U.S. national anthem. The fort's history holds many other stories too, from the Civil War to WWII.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/fomc
- Location
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (39.264, -76.580)
Track your visit to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center
Hours
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrinetoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sat Oct 39:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sun Oct 49:00AM - 5:00PM
- Mon Oct 59:00AM - 5:00PM
- Tue Oct 69:00AM - 5:00PM
- Wed Oct 79:00AM - 5:00PM
- Thu Oct 89:00AM - 5:00PM
- Fri Oct 99:00AM - 5:00PM
Upcoming closures: Nov 26 (Thanksgiving)
Park Grounds and Parking Lot Fall Hours (Labor Day to September 30): 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park registers for purchasing Star Fort Historic Zone entry or America the Beautiful Passes are open from 9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Star Fort, Visitor Center, gift shop, and restrooms close 15 minutes before the park closes. Closing times indicate when the gates will be closed; all visitors must exit by this time.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
1
- Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Centertoday: 9:00AM - 5:45PMDirections
Self-guided tours
2
"Bombs Bursting in Air" War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner45–90 minutes · 11 stops
Learn how the bombardment of Fort McHenry in September of 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner, today's National Anthem, making Baltimore and Fort McHenry the original "Home of the Brave."
"The American Bastille" The Civil War at Fort McHenry45–90 minutes · 9 stops
Fort McHenry served three major roles during the American Civil War: an active garrison, a hospital, and a prison. Learn the many stories that happened at Fort McHenry during the most devastating war in American history.
Entrance fees
3
- Per Person — $15.00
Access to the historic zone (where the star fort is located) requires an entrance fee.
- Non-commercial Groups — $15.00
There is no group rate for the entrance fee. All groups must pay $15 per adult. Children in the groups are free, however, they must be accompanied by an adult in the historic zone. Interagency passes are allowed to be used to assist with group entry fees.
- Annual Entrance - Park — $45.00
The Fort McHenry Annual Pass covers the pass holder plus three adults to enter the Fort McHenry NM & HS Historic Zone for 12 months. The pass is both available at the park visitor center, or a digital version is available on recreation.gov. In order for the pass to work, it must be physically on the passholder with a valid photo ID. To purchase the pass, visit the visitor center desk which is open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on weekdays, or 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekends during the summer.
Commercial rates1
- Per Person — $15.00
All commercial groups wishing to visitor Fort McHenry NM&HS must first obtain a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA). Groups with an active CUA are subject to the same $15 per person fee to enter the historic zone, however their employees conducting business (tour guides, bus drivers, etc.) are not subject to the entrance fee. Interagency passes may be used to assist with fee payment.