Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
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Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- Half day–1 day
- Don't miss
- Flag Change Programs
- Nearby city
- Baltimore, MD
Explore this park
Alerts(5)
Building Closed for Preservation Maintenance
As the result of a comprehensive porch preservation effort, the Commanding Officers Quarters (immediately to the right upon entering the historic star fort) will be closed to visitors until work is complete. Please respect the boundaries created by construction fencing and do not enter the work site. All other exhibit spaces remain open for visitors to explore.
We cannot mail out at this time
NPS detailsWe 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.
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.
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.
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
Common questions
Planning Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
