Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Summer grounds open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. weekdays and 6:00 p.m. weekends; visitor center and Star Fort open at 9:00 a.m. Winter grounds are 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Seasonal transitions and holiday closures apply, so confirm the NPS hours page.

Free parking is available onsite, including accessible spaces, but capacity is limited during peak seasons and major programs. Parking is for park visitors and cannot be used for unrelated all-day waterfront parking.

Enter from East Fort Avenue and begin at the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center for orientation, current program times and Star Fort admission.

Accessible restrooms and water fountains are available at the visitor center during building hours. Facilities outside the staffed area are limited.

Most grounds, trails, visitor center and orientation film are free. Entry to the historic zone and Star Fort is $15 per adult age 16 and older, valid for seven days; the site is cashless and accepts federal passes.

Parking lots, visitor facilities, exhibits, restrooms and many paved routes are accessible. Wheelchairs are available to borrow, and exhibits include captioned and tactile resources.

Leashed pets are allowed on outdoor grounds but not inside buildings or the historic Star Fort. Service animals are permitted in buildings under applicable rules.

The orientation film, ranger talks, flag programs and Junior Ranger activity make this a strong family history visit. Program schedules vary, so check the calendar before arrival.

MTA bus service reaches the Locust Point area, but the final walk can be substantial. Bicycles are allowed on paved park areas but not inside the historic zone.

The Star Fort has shorter hours than the grounds. In summer, last park entry is 4:45 p.m. weekdays and 5:45 p.m. weekends; winter and fall last entry is 4:45 p.m. The park closes Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1. Check NPS alerts before traveling.

Check NPS alerts plus Baltimore heat, lightning, harbor wind, heavy rain, snow and ice. Ranger programs, artillery demonstrations and flag activities can change for weather or staffing even when the grounds remain open.

Start at the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center beside the main lot. The free building has the orientation film, museum exhibits, ranger desk, Junior Ranger booklets, bookstore, restrooms, bottle filling and the desk where Star Fort passes are sold.

NPS describes it as a paved, wheelchair-accessible one-mile loop, with roughly three-quarters of a mile along the Patapsco River. It is free and includes benches, interpretive signs, harbor views and the Orpheus monument.

NPS advertises visitor participation in morning or evening flag-change programs, but programs depend on staffing and weather. Ask at the visitor-center desk on arrival instead of planning around an assumed daily time.

There is no restaurant. The visitor center sells bottled water, exterior vending machines offer snacks and drinks, and picnic tables are available on the west side; picnicking is not allowed inside the Visitor Center or Star Fort.