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Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Designation: National Historical Park

Location: South Carolina

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

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.

🌤 Weather Information

Mild winters. Hot and humid during the summer.

🚗 Directions

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.

Images

A row of cannon with Fort Moultrie in the background. A US flag is flying in the fort.

Fort Moultrie spans 171 years from 1776-1947

Credit: NPS Photo

Fort Sumter with a US flag flying above the fort with dock in the foreground

Fort Sumter is located on an island in Charleston Harbor and is only accessible by boat.

Credit: NPS Photo

Civil War cannon sitting on carriage pointing towards firing hole in brick wall

Fort Sumter cannon sitting on cannon carriage under a brick casemate

Credit: NPS Photo

Center of image is round metal and glass signal light with grassy hills hills in background

Interior View of Fort Moultrie featuring the World War II signal light with grass hills and black concrete gun bateries

Credit: NPS Photo

A three-story brick structure with a staircase in front and water in the background

The Fort Sumter Visitor Center is the primary departure point for the ferries to Fort Sumter.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
9:00AM - 4:30PM
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

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person
Fort Moultrie charges a per person entrance fee for adults. Anyone 16 years old or older is considered an adult.
$10.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
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.
$35.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Thursday, Jul 23

Sunny

Sunny

High: 94.1°F | Low: 82.2°F

Humidity: 75%

Wind: 17.2 mph

Rain Chance: 8%

UV Index: 11

Sunrise: 06:27 AM

Sunset: 08:24 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (74%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 81.5°F

Cloud Cover: 8%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Jul 24

Sunny

Sunny

High: 87.1°F | Low: 81.3°F

Humidity: 75%

Wind: 15 mph

Rain Chance: 57%

UV Index: 8.4

Sunrise: 06:28 AM

Sunset: 08:23 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (82%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 78.7°F

Cloud Cover: 57%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, Jul 25

Light rain shower

Light rain shower

High: 85.9°F | Low: 78.5°F

Humidity: 79%

Wind: 10.7 mph

Rain Chance: 81%

UV Index: 7

Sunrise: 06:28 AM

Sunset: 08:23 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (90%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 77.8°F

Cloud Cover: 81%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

No Public Beach Access from Fort Moultrie during Carolina Day weekend Park Closure
There will be no public beach access from Fort Moultrie during the Carolina Day weekend (Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28).
All Charleston National Park Sites Closed 1/31-2/2. Park Closure
Due to inclement weather, all Charleston area National Park sites will be closed from Saturday, January 31 through Monday, February 2, 2026. All sites will re-open on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, weather and safe access permitting. This closure includes Fort Sumter, the Fort Sumter Visitor Center, Fort Moultrie, and the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site. All boats to Fort Sumter will be cancelled 1/31-2/2 and will resume operations on Tuesday, February 3, weather permitting.
Patriots Point Ferries Accessibility Information 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.
Ferries to Fort Sumter Canceled Monday March 16, 2026 Park Closure
All ferries to Fort Sumter have been cancelled for Monday, March 16, 2026 due to incoming inclement weather and high winds. For information on tickets, contact Fort Sumter Tours at (843) 722-2628 or www.fortsumtertours.com. All other Charleston national park sites, including Fort Moultrie, the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center and the Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square. For updates, check this website or our Facebook page.
All park sites closing at 2 p.m. on Monday March 16, 2026 Park Closure
Due to incoming inclement weather, all Charleston area national park sites will be closed at 2:00 p.m. This includes Fort Moultrie, the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center and the Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square. Check this website or our Facebook page for updates.
Accessibility Lifts at Fort Sumter Inoperable Until Further Notice Information
The accessibility lifts at Fort Sumter are currently out of order. The only way to access level 2 and level 3 of the Fort is via a staircase until further notice.
12:30 and 2 PM Ferries to Fort Sumter Cancelled, February 23 Park Closure
The 12:30 PM and 2 PM ferries to Fort Sumter on Monday, February 23, are cancelled due to adverse wind and weather conditions. The Fort Sumter Visitor Center and Fort Moultrie are open as scheduled from 9 AM -- 4:30 PM. For further information on Fort Sumter ferries, please visit fortsumtertours.com or call (843) 722-2628.
All Ferries to Fort Sumter Canceled 1/24 -- 1/27 Park Closure
All ferries to Fort Sumter are canceled from Saturday January 24 through Tuesday, January 27 due to inclement weather. All other park sites (Fort Moultrie, the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center and the Fort Sumter Visitor Center) will remain open. For ticket information, contact Fort Sumter Tours at (843) 722-2628 or www.fortsumtertours.com.
Fort Moultrie Fishing Dock Closure Information
The Fort Moultrie Fishing Dock is currently under construction through Spring 2026.
12:30 and 2 PM Boats to Fort Sumter Cancelled, February 22 Park Closure
The 12:30 and 2 PM boats to Fort Sumter are cancelled for Sunday, February 22 due to unsafe weather conditions. The Fort Sumter Visitor Center and Fort Moultrie remain open between 9 AM -- 4:30 PM.

Park Events

Carolina Day 250th Anniversary

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan's Island. Living historians in period clothing will portray both Patriot and British soldiers and civilians to help visitors understand and learn about life in 1776.

Events on Saturday run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
On Sunday, there will be a commemoration ceremony for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan's Island from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Events and activities will resume following the ceremony until 4:00 p.m.

Join living historians for historic musket and artillery firing demonstrations.

Join a park ranger or living historian to learn more about the Battle of Sullivan's Island.

Walk up ranger and historical stations provide hands-on activities for visitors of all ages!

Date: Jun 27, 2026 12:00am to Jun 28, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
340 Concord Street
Charleston, SC 29401

🏤 Mailing Address:
1214 Middle Street
Sullivan's Island, SC 29482

📞 Voice Phone: (843) 883-3123

✉️ Email: fosu_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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