Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is a 43-acre National Park Service site in the Locust Point neighbourhood of Baltimore, Maryland. It’s where the 1814 Battle of Baltimore inspired the writing of the US national anthem. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
Last updated: May 2026. The park operates a cashless payment system — cash is not accepted for admission or passes. Many guides pre-date this policy. In 2026, the National Park Service has also added Flag Day (14 June) as a fee-free admission day, which is not listed in older guides.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine |
| Address | 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230 |
| Phone | (410) 962-4290 x250 |
| Summer hours (Memorial Day–Labor Day), Mon–Fri | 7am–5pm (last entry 4:45pm) |
| Summer hours (Memorial Day–Labor Day), Sat–Sun | 7am–6pm (last entry 5:45pm) |
| Non-summer hours (year-round) | 7am–5pm daily (last entry 4:45pm) |
| Closed | Thanksgiving Day, 25 December, 1 January |
| Park grounds and visitor centre | Free |
| Historic Zone entry (star fort, ages 16+) | $15 per person |
| Children under 16 | Free |
| Annual park pass | $45 (covers pass holder plus 3 adults) |
| Parking | Free on-site |
| Public transit | Baltimore Water Taxi; MTA bus |
| Typical visit length | 2 hours |
Fort McHenry opening hours
The park is open year-round, every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. During summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day), grounds and parking are open Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 7am to 6pm. Outside summer, the park is open 7am to 5pm daily.
The Visitor Center, Star Fort (Historic Zone), gift shop, and restrooms all close 15 minutes before the park gates close. Last entry on weekdays is 4:45pm; on summer weekends it is 5:45pm. The pass-purchase registers inside the Visitor Center open at 9am and close one hour before the park closes.
Seasonal ranger programs, living history events, and special events run throughout the year. Check the park calendar for dates.
Fort McHenry ticket prices
Entering the Historic Zone — the area containing the star-shaped fort and outer battery — costs $15 per adult (aged 16 and over). The rest of the park is free, including the park grounds, the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center, the orientation film, and the museum.
Children under 16 enter free. The $15 pass is valid for 7 days from date of purchase, with a valid receipt.
A park-specific Annual Pass ($45) covers the pass holder plus up to three additional adults for 12 months. The America the Beautiful — National Parks Pass is also accepted and covers the pass holder plus up to three adults. Passes for seniors (62+), active military, visitors with permanent disabilities, and 4th-grade students are available at reduced cost or free; see the full list at recreation.gov/pass.
The park is entirely cashless. Only credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments are accepted. This applies to pass purchases at the Visitor Center. Passes can also be purchased online in advance at recreation.gov to avoid queuing at the Visitor Center.
2026 free entrance days (Historic Zone fee waived for all visitors): 16 February (Presidents’ Day), 25 May (Memorial Day), 14 June (Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday), 3–5 July (Independence Day weekend), 25 August (National Park Service birthday), 17 September (Constitution Day), 27 October (Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday), 11 November (Veterans Day).
Fort McHenry is not currently included in any Baltimore city pass scheme such as Go City.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official NPS website for Fort McHenry and last updated in May 2026.
How to get to Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry is at 2400 East Fort Avenue, in the Locust Point neighbourhood of south Baltimore, approximately 3.5 miles from downtown. The park is accessible by road, water taxi, and bus.
By water taxi: The Baltimore Water Taxi provides a direct and practical route from the Inner Harbor to Fort McHenry. Check the Water Taxi schedule for current seasonal services and pricing before travelling.
By bus: MTA bus services reach Locust Point from central Baltimore. Check the Maryland Transit Administration for current routes and schedules.
By car: From downtown Baltimore, take I-95 south and exit at Key Highway or Fort Avenue. Follow signs to Fort McHenry. A sat-nav routing to 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230 will take you to the main entrance. Free parking is on-site.
Parking at Fort McHenry
Parking at Fort McHenry is free. A car park is available on-site at the park entrance. There are no time limits or charges. On busy summer weekends and during special events, the car park can fill up; arriving early or using the Water Taxi avoids this.
How long to spend at Fort McHenry
Most visitors spend around two hours at Fort McHenry. The NPS suggests one hour for the fort itself (all self-guided). Allow additional time for the orientation film (shown every 30 minutes from 9am in the Visitor Center), the museum, and the Sea Wall Trail around the peninsula. Summer visitors attending ranger programmes or musket and cannon demonstrations should allow additional time. Check today at the park for scheduled programmes on the day of your visit.
Accessibility at Fort McHenry
The Visitor Center, park grounds, and most areas of the fort are accessible. The grounds are largely flat with paved paths connecting the main areas. The Visitor Center is step-free throughout.
The fort’s interior historic structures involve some uneven surfaces typical of a 19th-century fortification. Contact the park in advance at (410) 962-4290 x250 for a full description of accessible routes and current conditions.
Additional provision includes a Junior Ranger programme adapted for visitors of all abilities. Large-print and alternative-format materials are available at the Visitor Center. Service animals trained to assist individuals with disabilities are welcome throughout the site.
For accessibility queries before your visit, contact the park at (410) 962-4290 x250 or through the NPS contact form.
Inside Fort McHenry: what to see
The Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center is free to enter and is the recommended starting point. It houses a museum with three main sections covering Francis Scott Key, the Star-Spangled Banner flag, and the Battle of Baltimore. A 10-minute orientation film combining live action and CGI battle maps runs on the hour and half-hour from 9am; it contains some intense battle scenes but no graphic content. Admission to the Visitor Center and film is free.
The Historic Star Fort is the centrepiece of the site and requires the $15 admission fee. The distinctive five-pointed star-shaped structure dates from the early 19th century. It can be explored entirely at your own pace; no guided tour is needed. A self-guided tour leaflet is available from the Visitor Center. The outer battery is also within the Historic Zone.
The Sea Wall Trail runs around the entire Fort McHenry peninsula and is free to walk. It provides views across Baltimore Harbour and is accessible from the park grounds without the Historic Zone fee.
Ranger programmes are scheduled throughout the year and include flag-change ceremonies, educational talks, and special holiday events. In summer, the Fort McHenry Guard conducts cannon and musket demonstrations. Check the park calendar for current dates and times.
Junior Rangers: Children can pick up a free activity booklet at the Visitor Center and earn a Fort McHenry Junior Ranger badge by completing it and being sworn in by a park ranger.
There is no café or restaurant at Fort McHenry. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and eat on the park grounds; there are picnic areas on site.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| The park is cashless | No cash is accepted anywhere in the park for admission or passes. Bring a credit or debit card. Passes can also be purchased online at recreation.gov before you arrive to avoid queuing at the Visitor Center. |
| Check free entrance days before booking | The Historic Zone entry fee is waived on eight days in 2026 (see ticket section above). If your visit falls on one of these dates, no pass is required for any visitor regardless of age. |
| Arrive early on summer weekends | The car park fills on busy weekend mornings. The Baltimore Water Taxi from the Inner Harbor is a practical alternative that also avoids city-centre traffic. |
| The orientation film is worth watching first | It provides useful context before entering the Historic Zone. It runs every 30 minutes from 9am and is free. The Visitor Center is also air-conditioned, which matters on hot Baltimore summer days. |
| Allow time for the Sea Wall Trail | The trail around the peninsula is free, accessible without a pass, and provides the best views of the fort from the outside and of Baltimore Harbour. It adds around 30 minutes to your visit. |
Frequently asked questions about Fort McHenry
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Fort McHenry suitable for children? | Yes. Children under 16 enter free everywhere, including the Historic Zone. A Junior Ranger programme is available: pick up the free activity booklet at the Visitor Center. The orientation film contains some battle scenes but no graphic content. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Fort McHenry? | Advance booking is not required. The $15 Historic Zone pass can be purchased at the Visitor Center (card payment only) or online at recreation.gov. Buying online avoids potential queuing at the Visitor Center on busy days. |
| Is Fort McHenry open on Sundays? | Yes. The park is open daily (7am to 5pm standard; 6pm on summer Sundays). It is closed only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. |
| Is there parking at Fort McHenry? | Yes. Free on-site parking is available at the main entrance. The car park can fill on busy summer weekends; the Baltimore Water Taxi is an alternative route from the Inner Harbor. |
| Does the America the Beautiful Pass cover Fort McHenry? | Yes. The America the Beautiful — National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass covers the Historic Zone entry fee for the pass holder plus up to three additional adults. The pass must be physically present with valid photo ID. |
Things to do near Fort McHenry
Baltimore Inner Harbor – Around 10 minutes by Water Taxi from Fort McHenry, the Inner Harbor is the centre of Baltimore’s waterfront, with walking routes, restaurants, and access to nearby attractions.
National Aquarium – Located at the Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium is a large public aquarium housing thousands of animals across freshwater and marine exhibits.
Maryland Science Center – Also at the Inner Harbor, the Maryland Science Center includes hands-on science exhibits and a planetarium.
Historic Ships in Baltimore – At Pier 1 in the Inner Harbor, a collection of historic vessels includes the USS Constellation (1854), a US Coast Guard cutter, a submarine, and a lightship.
Fells Point – Around 15 minutes east of Fort McHenry by car or water taxi, Fells Point is a historic waterfront neighbourhood with cobblestone streets, independent restaurants, and 18th-century architecture.
What to visit tomorrow: historic forts and battlefields within two hours of Baltimore
Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, Maryland – Around 1 hour 30 minutes west of Baltimore, Antietam was the site of the bloodiest single day of the American Civil War (17 September 1862). The battlefield is preserved with a visitor centre, museum, and self-guided driving tour. NPS site; entry fees apply.
Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania – Around 1 hour 30 minutes north-west of Baltimore, Gettysburg is one of the most significant Civil War battlefield sites, with an extensive museum, cyclorama, and guided and self-guided tours. NPS site; entry fees apply.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, West Virginia – Around 1 hour 15 minutes west of Baltimore, Harpers Ferry preserves the 19th-century town and federal arsenal that were the site of John Brown’s 1859 raid. The site includes multiple museums and walking trails. NPS site; entry fees apply.
Manassas National Battlefield Park, Virginia – Around 1 hour 30 minutes south-west of Baltimore, Manassas (also known as Bull Run) was the site of two major Civil War battles in 1861 and 1862. The visitor centre and self-guided trail are accessible year-round. NPS site; entry fees apply.
Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania – Around 2 hours north of Baltimore, Valley Forge preserves the 1777–78 winter encampment of the Continental Army. It includes a visitor centre, Washington’s Headquarters, and miles of walking trails. NPS site; entry is free.
