Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Protected park · MD, USA
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in MD, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Quick answers
- Is there a nursing room or baby care at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?
- Mapped for this park: 3 changing tables. Details
- When is Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine open?
- Usually Mon–Sun 9:00–17:00. Details
- When is the best time to visit Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?
- By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, May, and October. Details
- How much does it cost to get in?
- Published entrance fee: $15 per person. Details
- Where do you park?
- Visitor Center Parking Lot has 90 parking spaces. Details
When is Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine open?
- Mon–Sun 9:00–17:00
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
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.
This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed), Store / concessions, Visitor center.
Nursing and baby care
Mapped for this park: 3 changing tables.
- Barracks No. 2
- Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center
- Star Fort Historic Zone
When is the best time to visit Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?
By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, May, and October.
The weather works against it in January, February, March, and December.
The warmest month is July, with average highs near 86°F (30°C); the coolest is January, near 37°F (3°C).
June is the wettest month, with about 4.6 in (117 mm) of precipitation in a typical June.
Getting in to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine: fees and parking
Published entrance fee: $15 per person.
Visitor Center Parking Lot has 90 parking spaces.
13 accessible spaces are marked at Visitor Center Parking Lot.
Official facts
On the Forest Service's 2023 map, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine's mapped point sits in the very low wildfire hazard class; it rates the ground, not the weather.
Public access: Open access.
Protected area: 47 acres (19 ha).
Designation: National Monument. Listed as "Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: protected from conversion, multiple uses allowed (GAP 3).
Established: 1939.
Managed by: NPS.
At the park
- Wildlife & bird watching
Shows and experiences
- Historic sites & museum
- Junior Ranger program
- Ranger & guided programs
What's on at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
The park's own calendar lists five dated events from June 1, 2025 to June 1, 2027.
By kind, the calendar holds three regular events.
Most listed start times are in the morning, from 10 am to 5 pm.
Two events need a separate ticket.
Events
- Evening Flag Change
- Morning Flag Change
- Ranger's Choice Programs
- 250 Years of Service: Armistice Day and the Origins of Veterans Day at Fort McHenry
- 250 Years of Service: Armistice Day and the Origins of Veterans Day
Before you go
- Mobility
- Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.
- Limits
- Are pets permitted in the park?
- Park alert: Preservation Work Along Trails
- Starting March 18, preservationists restoring the bronze state plaques along the entrance road, and the War of 1812 commemorative markers in the Orpheus Grove. Some of these areas may be temporarily closed while work is in progress.
- Park alert: Baltimore Area Traffic Advisory
- Traffic in the Baltimore area has increased considerably in recent months due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge which connected the Baltimore beltway. Please check the latest traffic conditions to plan your travel accordingly.
- Park alert: Motorized Recreational Scooters Not Permitted in Park
- For the safety and protection of visitors and park resources, motorized scooters are not permitted within the park. Any vehicles (scooters, bicycles, etc.) that are part of a ride-share program may not be left behind for pick up inside the park
- Park alert: We cannot mail out at this time
- We do not mail Junior Ranger books; please download from site. Completed books may be submitted digitally. Junior Ranger badges may be mailed once per person per calendar year after completion. We do not mail completed books back.
- Getting there
- 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.
- 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.
- Visitor center
- Chesapeake Map
- Visitor center
- Flag Pole
- Visitor center
- Flag Pole
- Visitor center
- Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center
- Visitor center
- Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center
- Visitor center
- Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center
- Visitor center
- Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center
- Visitor center
- Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center — The 10-minute orientation film plays every half hour with the first showing at 9:00 AM and the last showing at 4:00 PM. Park registers for purchasing Star Fort Historic Zone entry or America The Beautiful Passes are open from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. — 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. Once inside the park gates follow the park road to the main parking lot. The visitor center is located directly adjacent of the main parking lot.
- Visitor center
- Star Fort Historic Zone
- Visitor center
- Star Fort Historic Zone
Facilities on the park map
10 benches, 3 changing tables, 3 first aid kits, 1 mobility rental, 2 picnic areas, 8 restrooms, 10 visitor information, 1 water fountain.
History
- Opened
- 1925
- Heritage status
- Listed heritage / protected status
- Operated by
- National Park Service
- Named after
- Fort McHenry
- Heritage designation
- National Register of Historic Places listed place (from 1966)
- Park opened
- Designated National Register of Historic Places listed place — 1966-10-15