Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
National Monument and Historic Shrine ยท Maryland
Tim Ervin
United States fort in Baltimore, Maryland
Fort McHenry is a historical American coastal pentagonal bastion fort on Locust Point, now a neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. It is best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British Royal Navy from Chesapeake Bay on September 13โ14, 1814.
About Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars... were so gallantly streaming...over Fort McHenry! The valiant defense of the fort during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the U.S. national anthem. The fort's history holds many other stories too, from the Civil War to WWII.
Activities
Operating Hours
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Park Grounds and Parking lot: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Park registers for purchasing Star Fort Historic Zone entry or America The Beautiful Passes are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Star Fort, Visitor Center, gift shop, and restrooms close 15 minutes before the park closes. Closing times indicate when the gates will be close; all visitors must exit by this time.
| mon | tue | wed | thu | fri | sat | sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00AM - 5:00PM | 9:00AM - 5:00PM | 9:00AM - 5:00PM | 9:00AM - 5:00PM | 9:00AM - 5:00PM | 9:00AM - 5:00PM | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?
Entrance - Per Person: $15.00. Access to the historic zone (where the star fort is located) requires an entrance fee. Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: $15.00. There is no group rate for the entrance fee. All groups must pay $15 per adult. Children in the groups are free, however, they must be accompanied by an adult in the historic zone. Interagency passes are allowed to be used to assist with group entry fees. Commercial Entrance - Per Person: $15.00. All commercial groups wishing to visitor Fort McHenry NM&HS must first obtain a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA). Groups with an active CUA are subject to the same $15 per person fee to enter the historic zone, however their employees conducting business (tour guides, bus drivers, etc.) are not subject to the entrance fee. Interagency passes may be used to assist with fee payment.
What are the best activities at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?
Popular activities at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine include: Arts and Culture, Craft Demonstrations, Cultural Demonstrations, Live Music, Theater, Biking, Road Biking, Compass and GPS.
What is the weather like at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?
Temperatures and weather in the spring and fall months tend to be mild. Ice, snow, and freezing temperatures can occur during winter. Extreme heat can occur during the summer months. Inclement weather may impact park hours of operation year round. Refer to the park alerts or call ahead to confirm operating hours.
How do I get to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?
The park is three miles southeast of the Baltimore Inner Harbor and just off I-95. Follow the brown Fort McHenry directional signs along all major routes to the park. From I-95 northbound, take Exit 55 Key Highway and follow Fort McHenry signs.
Entrance Fees
Access to the historic zone (where the star fort is located) requires an entrance fee.
There is no group rate for the entrance fee. All groups must pay $15 per adult. Children in the groups are free, however, they must be accompanied by an adult in the historic zone. Interagency passes are allowed to be used to assist with group entry fees.
All commercial groups wishing to visitor Fort McHenry NM&HS must first obtain a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA). Groups with an active CUA are subject to the same $15 per person fee to enter the historic zone, however their employees conducting business (tour guides, bus drivers, etc.) are not subject to the entrance fee. Interagency passes may be used to assist with fee payment.
Weather
Temperatures and weather in the spring and fall months tend to be mild. Ice, snow, and freezing temperatures can occur during winter. Extreme heat can occur during the summer months. Inclement weather may impact park hours of operation year round. Refer to the park alerts or call ahead to confirm operating hours.
Directions
The park is three miles southeast of the Baltimore Inner Harbor and just off I-95. Follow the brown Fort McHenry directional signs along all major routes to the park. From I-95 northbound, take Exit 55 Key Highway and follow Fort McHenry signs.
๐ View on Google Maps โLocation
Official Resources
NPS Official WebsiteMore Parks in Maryland
Other national park sites you might enjoy
