Fort Pulaski National Monument
Protected park · GA, USA
Fort Pulaski National Monument in GA, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Quick answers
- When is Fort Pulaski National Monument open?
- Usually Mon–Sun 9:00–17:00. Details
- When is the best time to visit Fort Pulaski National Monument?
- By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, October, and November. Details
- How much does it cost to get in?
- Published entrance fee: $10 per person. Details
When is Fort Pulaski National Monument open?
- Mon–Sun 9:00–17:00
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’ main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority over these forts. Using rifled cannons, the U.S. Army compelled the Confederate garrison inside Fort Pulaski to surrender. The siege was a landmark experiment in the history of military science and invention.
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions, Visitor center.
When is the best time to visit Fort Pulaski National Monument?
By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, October, and November.
The weather works against it in June, July, and August.
The warmest month is July, with average highs near 92°F (33°C); the coolest is January, near 61°F (16°C).
June is the wettest month, with about 6.7 in (170 mm) of precipitation in a typical June.
Getting in to Fort Pulaski National Monument: fees and parking
Published entrance fee: $10 per person.
Official facts
The nearest live USGS river gauge to Fort Pulaski National Monument is Savannah River At Fort Pulaski, GA (02198980), 2.7 km away.
Protected waters: 21.9 km². None of it is no-take.
Boating: Vessel use restricted; anchoring restricted.
Fishing: Commercial and Recreational Fishing Restricted.
Conservation focus: Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage. Protects the whole ecosystem. Site-Specific Management Plan.
IUCN category: V (Protected landscape or seascape).
Protection level: Uniform Multiple Use.
Marine protection: National Monument. Listed as "Fort Pulaski National Monument" in NOAA's Marine Protected Areas Inventory, managed by National Park Service, established 1924.
Public access: Open access.
Protected area: 5,132 acres (2,077 ha).
Designation: National Monument. Listed as "Fort Pulaski National Monument" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: protected from conversion, multiple uses allowed (GAP 3).
Established: 1924.
Managed by: NPS.
At the park
- Exhibits
- Biking
- Beaches
- Wildlife & bird watching
- Hiking trails
- Fishing
What's on at Fort Pulaski National Monument
The park's own calendar lists four dated events from October 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
November 2026 is the busiest month, with two events.
By kind, the calendar holds two regular events.
Start times are spread through the day, from 9 am to 6 pm.
Two events need a separate ticket.
Events
- Ranger Talk at Fort Pulaski
- Free Entry at Fort Pulaski!
- Musket Demonstrations at Fort Pulaski
- Candle Lantern
Before you go
- Mobility
- Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.
- First aid
- 2 first-aid locations mapped in-park — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.
- Limits
- Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go
- Park alert: The North Shoreline is Closed
- The shoreline is closed permanently for resource protection and visitor safety.
- Park alert: Gorge Wall Preservation Closures Begin Fall 2026
- Fort Pulaski's Gorge Wall interiors will undergo preservation work beginning September 2026. For your safety, follow signage and do not cross any barricades.
- Park alert: McQueen's Island Trail Closed Beginning August 3, 2026
- The McQueen's Island Trail will close for a Chatham County restoration project beginning August 3, 2026.
- Getting there
- From Interstate I-95, take Exit 99 onto Interstate I-16 East (James L Gillis Memorial Hwy) for 7 miles. Take Exit 164A onto Interstate I-516 East toward US-80 East. Take Exit 3 (US-17 S/US-80 E) toward US-80 East. Turn left onto Ocean Highway, Ogeechee Rd (US-17 N, US-80 East). Bear right onto West Victory Drive (US-80 East). Continue on US-80 East for 13 miles. GPS Coordinates for Fort Pulaski National Monument: N32° 01.680 W080° 53.525
- Weather & when to go
- Savannah has a humid sub tropical climate with over two hundred days of sunshine each year. Summers are typically hot, bright and humid with afternoon thunderstorms common. Temperatures often range from the lower 70s to the mid 90s F. Spring and autumn can be quite pleasant with temperatures ranging from the upper 50s into the 80s F. The winter months are usually dry. Temperatures can be cooler than one would expect, ranging from the upper 30s through the 60s F generally, though sudden cold snaps can occur.
- Visitor center
- Cockspur Island
- Visitor center
- Fort Pulaski
- Visitor center
- Fort Pulaski
- Visitor center
- Fort Pulaski
- Visitor center
- Fort Pulaski Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Fort Pulaski Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Fort Pulaski Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Fort Pulaski Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Fort Pulaski Visitor Center — While the Visitor Center is now open, the park film is not being shown. Please visit www.nps.gov/fopu to view the film online. — From Interstate I-95, take Exit 99 onto Interstate I-16 East (James L Gillis Memorial Hwy) for 7 miles. Take Exit 164A onto Interstate I-516 East toward US-80 East. Take Exit 3 (US-17 S/US-80 E) toward US-80 East. Turn left onto Ocean Highway, Ogeechee Rd (US-17 N, US-80 East). Bear right onto West Victory Drive (US-80 East). Continue on US-80 East for 13 miles. Fort Pulaski National Monument…
Facilities on the park map
2 benches, 2 first aid stations, 1 mobility rental, 2 picnic areas, 4 restrooms, 9 visitor information, 1 water fountain.
History
- Opened
- 1829
- Heritage status
- Listed heritage / protected status
- Park opened