Fort Sumter
National Monument

VISITATION:

Highest in April and July; lowest in December and January. In 1996--223,000 visitors.

.

LOCATION:

Sullivan's Island, SC

ADDRESS:

1214 Middle St.
Sullivan's Island, SC 29482

TELEPHONE:

(843) 883-3123

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Daily, except Christmas: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April through Labor Day, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. September through November and March. Hours vary otherwise and can be determined by calling (843) 883-3123.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Summers hot and humid. Light clothing. Winters mild. Wear a light jacket.

DIRECTIONS:

The concessionaire's tour boats leave from Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, or the City Marina on Lockwood Blvd., just south of US-17 in Charleston. For visitors to the City Marina, parking at the Charleston Visitor Center (on Meeting Street) and using the DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) service is recommended. View the tour boat schedule. For private boats, Fort Sumter is 3.33 miles from Charleston at the harbor entrance.

Transportation:

To Park: tour boats operated by a concessionaire, or private boats.
In Park: none.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

Concession fee for the boat ride: $10.50; children under twelve $5.50; children under 6 free. This fee is subject to change. For more information call Fort Sumter Tours at (843) 722-2628.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:

No visitor center is at the fort. An extensive museum is on sight (renovated April 1995). Interpretive waysides are found throughout the fort for self-guided tours. View our online site bulletins.

Trails, Roads:

None.

Programs/Activities:

A history tape is played during the tour boat ride to Fort Sumter. Ranger orientations are given for every tour boat.

Lodging and camping facilities:

None in park.

Food/supplies:

Snacks and drinks are available on tour boat.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

A small museum shop is operated at the fort. Visit the Eastern National online catalog or call the bookstore manager at (843) 883-9783.

Accessibility:

Limited. Wheelchair accessibility is from the City Marina. At Fort Sumter, three elevators give access to the upper levels of the fort. A wheelchair is available at the fort. For other services, please call ahead at (843) 883-3123.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Listen to the history tape played on the tour boat and read the park brochure before reaching Fort Sumter. Attend the ranger orientation program and visit the museum.

For information on archeology, visit SEAC

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

School groups and tour groups should contact the concessionaire to make reservations, (843) 722-1691. Commercial filming and after hours use require a Special Use Permit issued in advance. For more information call (843) 883-3123.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

If travelling on the tour boat, allow 2-hours-and-15 minutes for the trip (35 minute boat ride each way, and 1 hour at the fort).

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Special programs are usually done for April 12 and 13. For more information call (843) 883-3123.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island, is also a unit of Fort Sumter National Monument. Charles Pinckney National Historic Site is located in Mount Pleasant.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write Superintendent, Fort Sumter National Monument, 1214 Middle St., Sullivan's Island, SC 29482, call (843) 883-3123, or see our information requests page. Also visit the Charleston County Library web site for information including graphics of Fort Sumter.

ADDITIONAL LINKS: