Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park: Alerts, Map, Weather & Trailie Planner

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.

4 current NPS alerts

Information: Fort Moultrie Fishing Dock Closure
Information: Accessibility Lifts Out of Service at Fort Sumter
Information: Scam Warning: Book Ferry Tickets Through Authorized Concessioner Only
+1 more in the Alerts tab

Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 11, 2026). Official Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park page on nps.gov

Weather Information

Mild winters. Hot and humid during the summer.

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

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.

Monday9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday9:00AM - 4:30PM

Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square

The Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square, 340 Concord Street, Charleston, is the primary departure point for ferry boats to Fort Sumter. This visitor education center is free. There is a fee for the concession-operated ferry to Fort Sumter.

Monday8:30AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday8:30AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday8:30AM - 4:30PM
Thursday8:30AM - 4:30PM
Friday8:30AM - 4:30PM
Saturday8:30AM - 4:30PM
Sunday8:30AM - 4:30PM

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.