fort-sumter-and-fort-moultrie | SC | Find park

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

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.

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

Fort Sumter cannon sitting on cannon carriage under a brick casemate

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

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.

Physical Address:

340 Concord Street

Charleston, SC 29401

Mailing Address:

1214 Middle Street

Sullivan's Island, SC 29482

contact-details

Phone Number: (843) 883-3123 Voice

Email Address: fosu_information@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

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.

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.

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.

park designation:National Historical Park

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 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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

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.

Exceptions:

Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

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.