Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
SC
Park Alerts (2)
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.
Available Activities
Weather
Mild winters. Hot and humid during the summer.
Getting There
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.
Plan Your Visit
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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.
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.
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.
