Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
National Historical Park · SC
4 noticesfrom the National Park Service
Information · Accessibility Lifts Out of Service at Fort Sumter
The mobility lifts at Fort Sumter are currently out of order. The parade ground (ground level) of the fort remains wheelchair accessible.
Information · Fort Moultrie Fishing Dock Closure
The Fort Moultrie Fishing Dock is currently under construction and closed to the public.
Information · Patriots Point Ferries Accessibility Information
Ferries to Fort Sumter from Patriots Point are not always accessible for individuals who use mobility assistance devices or have trouble navigating stairs. The Fort Sumter Visitor Center departure location is fully accessible or visitors can call Fort Sumter Tours (843-722-2628) for current Patriots Point accessibility conditions.
Information · Scam Warning: Book Ferry Tickets Through Authorized Concessioner Only
The National Park Service is aware of fraudulent websites selling invalid ferry tickets to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. Valid ferry tickets can only be purchased through the park's authorized concessioner at www.fortsumtertours.com. Visitors should carefully verify the website address before purchasing tickets. Tickets purchased through unauthorized websites are not valid and will not be honored.
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.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/fosu
- Location
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park (32.757, -79.871)
Track your visit to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
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
- Fort Moultrie Visitor Center
- Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square
Hours
Fort Moultrietoday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Sat Oct 39:00AM - 4:30PM
- Sun Oct 49:00AM - 4:30PM
- Mon Oct 59:00AM - 4:30PM
- Tue Oct 69:00AM - 4:30PM
- Wed Oct 79:00AM - 4:30PM
- Thu Oct 89:00AM - 4:30PM
- Fri Oct 99:00AM - 4:30PM
Upcoming closures: Nov 26 (Thanksgiving Day)
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.
Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Squaretoday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Visitor centers
2
- Fort Moultrie Visitor Centertoday: 9:00AM - 4:30PMDirections
- Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Squaretoday: 9:00AM - 4:30PMDirections
Entrance fees
2
- Per Person — $10.00
Fort Moultrie charges a per person entrance fee for adults. Anyone 16 years old or older is considered an adult.
- 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.