Photo: NPS Photo
Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor.
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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.
The Fort Moultrie Fishing Dock is currently under construction and closed to the public.
The mobility lifts at Fort Sumter are currently out of order. The parade ground (ground level) of the fort remains wheelchair accessible.
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.
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.
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Facility
The Fort Moultrie Visitor Center is located at 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC. Inside are an information desk, museum exhibits, a museum store. The visitor…
1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC (843) 883-3123 Directions
Facility
The primary departure point for Fort Sumter is the Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square, located at 340 Concord Street, in downtown Charleston. Visitors can find…
340 Concord Street, Charleston, SC (843) 577-0242 Directions
Daily, 9:00AM - 4:30PM · 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.
| Monday | 9:00AM - 4:30PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:00AM - 4:30PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00AM - 4:30PM |
| Thursday | 9:00AM - 4:30PM |
| Friday | 9:00AM - 4:30PM |
| Saturday | 9:00AM - 4:30PM |
| Sunday | 9:00AM - 4:30PM |
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.
| Monday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Thursday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Friday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Saturday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Sunday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
Fort Moultrie charges a per person entrance fee for adults. Anyone 16 years old or older is considered an adult.
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.
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Mild winters. Hot and humid during the summer.
Fort Sumter is accessible by ferry boat. Boats depart at scheduled times from two sites.
The primary departure point is the Fort Sumter Visitor Center, 340 Concord Street, Charleston. Boats also depart from Patriots Point, 40 Patriots Point Boulevard, Mount Pleasant. There is a fee for the concession-operated ferry. Fort Moultrie is accessible by car at 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island. A park entrance fee is charged for the park. Details at: https://www.nps.gov/fosu/planyourvisit/directions.
Mailing address: 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
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