Aerial View of Fort Monroe Photo: NPS Photo

Fort Monroe National Monument

National Monument · Virginia

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s.

  • LocationFort Monroe, VA
  • Entrance No fee listed
  • HoursDaily, 5:00AM - 11:59PM
  • Weather now88°F Cloudy
  • Alerts 2 active alerts

Overview

Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619.

Those escaping slavery sought their freedom at the fort during the Civil War. The fort remained bastion of national defense until 2011, when it became a national park.

Topics
  • Animals
  • Archeology
  • Architecture and Building
  • Artillery
  • Astronomy
  • Birds
  • Civil War
  • Coastal Defenses
18 more topics
  • Colonial/European Contact Conflicts
  • Colonization and Settlement
  • Explorers and Expeditions
  • Hospital
  • Lighthouses
  • Maritime
  • Maritime - Military
  • Medicine
  • Military
  • Monuments and Memorials
  • Night Sky
  • Presidents
  • US Army
  • US Marines
  • US Navy
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • Women's History
  • World War II
Fort Monroe in foreground with USS Kearsarge in background.
Fort Monroe's Flagstaff is the first US flag the sailors of the USS Kearsage see when returning to the waters of Hampton Roads. — NPS Photo/Aaron Firth

Alerts (2)

Park ClosureRoad Closure and Fishing Pier Impact The Engineer Wharf, one of two fishing piers at Fort Monroe is temporarily closed. The Finger Pier remains open. Also cl… Read more

The Engineer Wharf, one of two fishing piers at Fort Monroe is temporarily closed. The Finger Pier remains open. Also closed is the section of Fenwick Road between Ingalls and the East Gate of the fort. Detour signs will aid travelers around the closure.

InformationReminder: Look Before Parking Visitors are reminded to park in marked parking spaces. Parking in the grass or other alternative areas is unauthorized.… Read more

Visitors are reminded to park in marked parking spaces. Parking in the grass or other alternative areas is unauthorized. Please help us #KeepFortMonroeBeautiful.

Things to Do

17 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.

Show 5 more activities
sun setting over the moat of Fort Monroe
Brilliant colors of the setting sun offer unique views of the largest stone fortification ever built in the United States. — NPS Photo/Aaron Firth

Facilities & Services

Find visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.

Visitor Centers

  • Casemate Museum

    Visitor Center

    Located within the fort walls, the museum highlights a topical history of Point Comfort and Fort Monroe. The museum showcases the unique purposes of the casemates…

    Details
    Located within the fort walls, the museum highlights a topical history of Point Comfort and Fort Monroe. The museum showcases the unique purposes of the casemates through time and the important role Fort Monroe played during the Civil War through the 21st century. Learn about the importance of tourism and hospitality during the turn of the 20th century, the importance of Fort Monroe as school starting per-Civil War, and other interesting uses of the casemates over time.
  • Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center

    Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center

    Visitor Center

    Start your visit at Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center. Get oriented, see exhibits, and pick up visitor guides. Find national park passport cancellation stamps. Kids…

    Details
    Start your visit at Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center. Get oriented, see exhibits, and pick up visitor guides. Find national park passport cancellation stamps. Kids can ask for Junior Ranger Activity Books, and dog owners for BARK Ranger programs. The building has public restrooms and a water filling station. Admission is free. Park in the rear.

Other Visitor Services

  • Aerial view of Colonies RV and Travel Park

    The Colonies RV Travel Park & Country Store

    Facility

    The Colonies RV & Travel Park is at historic and scenic Fort Monroe National Monument. The Colonies offers RV and tent camping sites. The country store sells gifts…

    Details
    The Colonies RV & Travel Park is at historic and scenic Fort Monroe National Monument. The Colonies offers RV and tent camping sites. The country store sells gifts, beach necessities, and RV supplies. The campground has picnic tables and pavilion rentals. Colonies rents pits and charcoal grills for use in the campground. The clubhouse has television and a full kitchen. The bath house has restrooms and showers. There is a 24-hour laundry.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Daily, 5:00AM - 11:59PM · Fort Monroe

Hours by area (2)
  • Fort MonroeDaily, 5:00AM - 11:59PM

    Fort Monroe National Monument is open year-round for outdoor activities like walking and exploring the historic grounds. Residents occupy many of the buildings. Respect their privacy by not peering into windows or opening gates.

    Monday5:00AM - 11:59PM
    Tuesday5:00AM - 11:59PM
    Wednesday5:00AM - 11:59PM
    Thursday5:00AM - 11:59PM
    Friday5:00AM - 11:59PM
    Saturday5:00AM - 11:59PM
    Sunday5:00AM - 11:59PM
  • BeachesDaily, Sunrise to Sunset

    The beaches at Fort Monroe are open to the public all year from sunrise to sunset. Only the first two coves at Outlook Beach have Life guards. Please use caution when entering the water. September 16 - May 14: Dogs allowed on the beach with 6 foot leash May 15 - September 15: Dogs not allowed on the beach

    MondaySunrise to Sunset
    TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
    WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
    ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
    FridaySunrise to Sunset
    SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
    SundaySunrise to Sunset

Entrance fees

No entrance fees listed.

Weather

88°F
Cloudy · feels like 95°
  • Today 89° 65°
    Overcast
    11% rain
  • Tomorrow 82° 70°
    Overcast
    14% rain
  • Saturday 75° 63°
    Patchy rain nearby
    58% rain

Updated 3 hr ago

What to expect by season

Spring: Temperatures range from 40 F to 70 F with rain being common. Summer: Temperatures range from 75 F to 100 F with rain and sun equally common. On very sunny days, be prepared with plenty of water. Fall: Temperatures usually range from 40 F to 65 F. Hurricanes are more likely to threaten the are at this time of year. If planning a visit during this time, please be mindful of the storm activity. Winter: Temperatures range from 40 F to 50 F on average with snow being uncommon.

Upcoming Events

9 coming up
  • From the Ground Up

    Oct 1, 2026 · 01:00 PM–02:00 PM · through Oct 29 Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center 30 Ingalls Road Fort Monroe, VA 23651 Free

  • Gibraltar of the Chesapeake and the Building of a Nation

    Oct 1, 2026 · 11:00 AM–11:45 AM · through Oct 31 Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center 30 Ingalls Road Fort Monroe, VA 23651 Free

  • Finding "Freedom's Fortress"

    Oct 2, 2026 · 01:00 PM–02:00 PM · through Oct 31 Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center 30 Ingalls Road Fort Monroe, VA 23651 Free

  • Night Sky: Galaxies and Star Clusters

    Oct 16, 2026 · 07:00 PM–10:00 PM Walker Airfield near the Colonies RV and Travel Park Free

Show 5 more events
  • Tree Tour of Fort Monroe: Seeing Trees Through Bark and Wood

    Oct 17, 2026 · 10:00 AM–10:45 AM Fort Monroe Visitor and Education Center plaza Free

  • Fort Monroe Bird Walk

    Oct 23, 2026 · 08:00 AM–11:00 AM Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center 30 Ingalls Road Fort Monroe, VA 23651 Free

  • Night Sky: Galaxies and Star Clusters

    Nov 20, 2026 · 05:30 PM–08:30 PM Walker Airfield near the Colonies RV and Travel Park Free

  • Tree Tour of Fort Monroe: Searching High and Low - (Two-hour Special)

    Nov 21, 2026 · 10:00 AM–10:45 AM Fort Monroe Visitor and Education Center plaza Free

  • Fort Monroe Bird Walk

    Nov 27, 2026 · 08:00 AM–11:00 AM Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center 30 Ingalls Road Fort Monroe, VA 23651 Free

Photos

Getting There

30 Ingalls Road
Fort Monroe, VA 23651-1001

Take exit 268 from Interstate 64 (I-64) in Hampton, Virginia toward Fort Monroe. Turn left from the exit ramp onto South Mallory Street.

Full directions

Turn right at the second light onto East Mellen Street. Cross the bridge and turn left at the light onto Ingalls Road. The Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center is on the left after about two-thirds of a mile. Park on Ingalls Road or in the lot behind the building.

Mailing address: 41 Bernard Road, Fort Monroe, VA 23651-1001

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