Entrance Fee
$15.00
/ Entrance - Per Person
Park Hours (Today)
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center: 9:00AM - 5:45PM
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About the Park
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.
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What to See & Do
Fort McHenry's Defenders
On this program we'll explore the generations of defenders of Fort McHenry, from those who protected Baltimore and inspired the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812, to the U.S. soldiers who preserved the Union during the Civil War, to those who led the movement to preserve Fort McHenry as a national park in the early 20th century.
Flag Change Programs
Join the park for its morning or evening flag change programs!
War in the Chesapeake
This free 45-minute ranger program focuses on the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812. Follow a dramatic story of devastating British raids and the American response, culminating in Baltimore at North Point, Hampstead Hill and Fort McHenry. Discover how Chesapeake victories ignited a surge of national pride, making Fort McHenry an enduring symbol of American resilience.
American Anthem: 250 Years at the Home of the Brave
Join a ranger for a 45-minute walking program exploring Fort McHenry’s history of service, community, and defense, from the Revolutionary War to the present day.
Ranger's Choice Programs
Daily programs being offered at Fort McHenry NM&HS!
Fort McHenry Movie
Fort McHenry's introductory film is one of the most popular activities at the park.
Self-Guided Tours
"Bombs Bursting in Air" War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner
Learn how the bombardment of Fort McHenry in September of 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner, today's National Anthem, making Baltimore and Fort McHenry the original "Home of the Brave."
"The American Bastille" The Civil War at Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry served three major roles during the American Civil War: an active garrison, a hospital, and a prison. Learn the many stories that happened at Fort McHenry during the most devastating war in American history.
Visitor Centers
Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center
The Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:45 pm. Inside the visitor center is an introductory museum, a movie (plays every 30 minutes), the park bookstore, restrooms, and water bottle filling station. The visitor center and museum are free to visit. Visitors interested in purchasing entrance passes to the Star Fort Historic Zone or an America the Beautiful pass can do so here.
Parking & Access
Getting Here
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.
Official NPS directionsParking Lots
Visitor Center Parking Lot
The park's main parking lot is located directly next to the visitor center. The lot has 90 parking spaces as well as six Bus/RV parking spaces. The park also has an additional overflow parking area with gravel and grass area parking. Parking is available 9am - 5pm. Parking spaces are only available to visitors to the park, cars can not be left on site if the owner leaves the park. Cars cannot be left over night.
Open in MapsGetting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Access to the historic zone (where the star fort is located) requires an entrance fee.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$15.00There 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
$15.00All 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.
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00The Fort McHenry Annual Pass covers the pass holder plus three adults to enter the Fort McHenry NM & HS Historic Zone for 12 months. The pass is both available at the park visitor center, or a digital version is available on recreation.gov. In order for the pass to work, it must be physically on the passholder with a valid photo ID. To purchase the pass, visit the visitor center desk which is open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on weekdays, or 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekends during the summer.
Operating Hours
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Park registers for purchasing Star Fort Historic Zone entry or America the Beautiful Passes are open from 9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Star Fort, Visitor Center, gift shop, and restrooms close 15 minutes before the park closes. Closing times indicate when the gates will be closed; all visitors must exit by this time. Last entry into the park is at 4:45 p.m.
- Monday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Tuesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Wednesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Thursday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Friday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Saturday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sunday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Photos
Men in War of 1812 era uniforms pull a cannon over grass outside of a brick fort.
Visitors hold the edges of a large American flag as it is raised on to a large flagpole
Two young visitors with their right hands in the air as they are sworn in as Junior Rangers
Man in brought yellow shirt with a blue bicycle standing in front of a Fort McHenry identifier sign.
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
1 day
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