Contact Info
Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
- Phone:
- 843-883-3123
Basics
- Type:
- Monument-Building
Description
Decades of growing strife between North and South erupted in civil war on April 12, 1861, when Confederate artillery opened fire on this Federal fort in Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter surrendered 34 hours later. Union forces would try for nearly four years to take it back.
Hours + Fees
Hours:
Fort Sumter by Ferry Boat
The concession-operated ferry leaves from two locations: Liberty Square (340 Concord Street, Charleston, SC), and Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum (40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC).
Fort Sumter by Private Boat
Fort Sumter is open year round except for New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Hours of operation are: January 2 - February 28: 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM
March 1 - March 14: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
March 15 - August 19: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
August 20 - August 30: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
August 31 - September 2: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
September 3 - November 30: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
December 1 – 24: 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM
December 26 – 31: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving Day, and Dec. 25.
Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square
340 Concord Street, Charleston
The Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.
Fort Moultrie
1214 Middle Street, Sullivan’‘s Island
Fort Moultrie is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for New Year’‘s, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.
Park Headquarters
1214 Middle Street, Sullivan’‘s Island
Park Headquarters is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except for federal holidays.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Fort Sumter is located on an island in Charleston harbor and is only accessible by boat.
If you do not have access to a private boat, a concession-operated ferry is available. The primary departure site is from the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center located in downtown Charleston.
To get to Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center
From I-26
Take I-26 E to Charleston. Exit at Meeting Street. Pass the Charleston Visitor Center on the right. Proceed through one traffic light (John Street). Turn left at next light onto Calhoun Street. Proceed through two traffic lights (East Bay Street and Washington Street). The visitor center is straight ahead.
From points North on US-17
Exit at Meeting Street. Pass the Charleston Visitor Center on the right. Proceed through one traffic light (John Street). Turn left at next light onto Calhoun Street. Proceed through two traffic lights (East Bay Street and Washington Street). The visitor center is straight ahead.
From points South on US-17
Take the Calhoun Street exit. Merge with Lockwood Drive. Stay in the left lane. Turn left on Calhoun Street. Proceed through ten traffic lights until you cross Washington Street. The visitor center is straight ahead.
