National Monument and Historic Shrine · Maryland
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.
Things to do
- Arts and Culture
- Craft Demonstrations
- Cultural Demonstrations
- Live Music
- Theater
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Compass and GPS
- Geocaching
- Food
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Hands-On
- Citizen Science
- Arts and Crafts
- Hiking
- Living History
- Reenactments
- Historic Weapons Demonstration
- First Person Interpretation
- Paddling
- Kayaking
- Junior Ranger Program
Weather & when to go
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.
Entrance fees
Entrance - Per Person
Access to the historic zone (where the star fort is located) requires an entrance fee.
$15.00
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
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.
$15.00
Commercial Entrance - Per Person
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.
$15.00
Operating hours
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Park Grounds and Parking Lot Summer Hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day): Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Park registers for purchasing Star Fort Historic Zone entry or America the Beautiful Passes open at 9:00 a.m. and close one hour before the park closes. The 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.
FAQ
- How much does it cost to visit Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?
- Entrance to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine costs $15.00 (Entrance - Per Person), $15.00 (Entrance - Non-commercial Groups), $15.00 (Commercial Entrance - Per Person). The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entry at every NPS site.
- What are the hours at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?
- Park Grounds and Parking Lot Summer Hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day): Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Park registers for purchasing Star Fort Historic Zone entry or America the Beautiful Passes open at 9:00 a.m. and close one hour before the park closes. The Star Fort…
- Do I need a reservation for Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?
- No timed-entry reservation is currently required to enter Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Campgrounds and permits may still need to be booked separately on Recreation.gov.
Keep exploring
More parks in Maryland.