Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park is a national historical park in Charleston, Charleston County, in South Carolina's Lowcountry. A $10 per-person entrance pass is required, and the ferry to Fort Sumter is a separate fare. It is open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily. Facts read from the official page on October 25, 2026.
- Hours9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.official hours below
- Admission$10 per person
- WhereCharlestonCharleston County, Lowcountry
- DogsNot at Fort Sumterrules below
About Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie
Two forts guard the mouth of Charleston Harbor. Patriots in the palmetto-log fort later named Fort Moultrie beat the Royal Navy in 1776, and the Confederacy's attack on the U.S. garrison at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861 opened the Civil War; Sumter is reached only by ferry from Liberty Square in Charleston or Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.
Plan It In Three Lines
Getting In
Admission is charged per person; see the fee list.
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.Make It A Day
May Forest State Park is about 2 miles away (straight line).
4 places within 30 miles
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie Hours
Hours in a day
- OpenEvery day9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- OpenEvery day9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Fort Sumter itself is reached only by Fort Sumter Tours ferries
- All park sites are closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Bars that fade start at sunrise or end at sunset or dark, which move with the season. The full hours, word for word, are in the list below.
- Fort Moultrie grounds, parking and restrooms: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., daily
- Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., daily
- Fort Sumter itself is reached only by Fort Sumter Tours ferries; boat times are set by the ferry operator
- All park sites are closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Not confirmed: The NPS hours page says the Liberty Square visitor center opens at 9:00 a.m.; the NPS park data feed lists 8:30 a.m. We show the hours page and flag the difference.
Admission And Passes
- Annual pass$35.00
- Standard entrance (per person)$10.00
From the NPS fees page, read October 25, 2026.
- Standard entrance pass $10.00 per person (per the NPS fees page and NPS data, entrance per person)
- Annual pass $35.00
- America the Beautiful pass accepted (free to $250)
- The park does not accept cash
- The ferry ride to Fort Sumter is a separate fare sold by Fort Sumter Tours (843-722-2628); we did not read the fare
Directions And Contact
- Address: 340 Concord Street, Charleston, SC 29401 (Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square); Fort Moultrie: 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
- Phone: 843.883.3123
- Map point: 32.75654,-79.87069, from NPS park data (park centre point). Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: www.nps.gov/fosu/
- You cannot get to Fort Sumter from Fort Moultrie.
- Parking near Liberty Square: City of Charleston garage at 24 Calhoun Street (fees apply, 7-foot height limit). RVs and large vehicles are encouraged to use the Patriots Point departure.
Dogs And Strollers
- Pets are not permitted at Fort Sumter, and Fort Sumter Tours does not allow pets on its boats.
- Fort Moultrie: pets are not allowed inside the fort or visitor center, but are allowed on the outside paths, trails and grounds on a leash.
- Liberty Square: pets on a leash on the grounds and paths, not inside the visitor center. Leash no longer than 6 feet; do not leave pets unattended.
Not confirmed: stroller rules. The official page we read does not mention strollers; boardwalks and paved paths may suit them, but call ahead.
Near Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie
- 1May Forest State ParkState Parkabout 2 mi
- 2Charles Pinckney National Historic SiteNational Historic Siteabout 7 mi
- 3Charles Towne Landing State Historic SiteState Historic Siteabout 7 mi
- 4Colonial Dorchester State Historic SiteState Historic Siteabout 22 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Coming Up Near Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie
- Through Nov 21Charleston Farmers Market (Marion Square, Saturdays)On nowCharleston · about 8 mi
- Oct 30Halloween Night Climb (Palmetto Peaks Climbing, James Island County Park)Charleston · about 8 mi
- Oct 30McClellanville Fall FestivalMcClellanville · about 33 mi
- Oct 31Charleston Southern football vs. Western Illinois (Homecoming)Charleston · about 8 mi
- Nov 1Scooby Doo Day / Family Sunday (SC Stingrays vs. Savannah)North Charleston · about 16 mi
- Nov 7Airing of the Quilts at MagnoliaCharleston · about 8 mi
62 more on the full events calendar.
Events within 40 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.
FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park?
A $10 per-person entrance pass is required, and the ferry to Fort Sumter is a separate fare.
Are dogs allowed at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie?
Pets are not permitted at Fort Sumter, and Fort Sumter Tours does not allow pets on its boats.
What are the hours at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie?
Fort Moultrie grounds, parking and restrooms: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., daily; Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., daily.
What We Could Not Verify
- Holiday and storm closures change at short notice; check the official page the day you go.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
Sources
- NPS: Operating Hours and Seasons (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS: Fees and Passes (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS: Pets (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS: Directions (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS park data service (hours, contacts, park point) (read 2026-10-25)
Last checked October 25, 2026 by the It’s South Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park”, itssouthcarolina.com/places/fort-sumter-and-fort-moultrie-national-historical-park/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.