Fort Sumter National Monument - Directions to Fort Sumter (U.S. National Park Service)

You cannot get to Fort Sumter from Sullivan's Island and Fort Moultrie. Sullivan's Island is the mailing address of the park and the location of Fort Moultrie and Park Headquarters.

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. For departure schedules and fees, visit the .

The secondary departure site is located at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Visitors with large vehicles such as buses and RVs should plan on using the departure site.

Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center
340 Concord Street
Charleston, South Carolina

From I-26

Take I-26 E to Charleston.
Take the Meeting Street exit.
Turn right onto Meeting Street.
Pass the Charleston Visitor Center on the right.
Proceed through one traffic light at John Street.
Turn left at next light onto Calhoun Street.
Proceed through two traffic lights at East Bay Street and Washington Street.
The visitor center is straight ahead.
Parking is on the left in the garage (7' clearance) or on Concord Street by meter. (Note: Most meters have a two-hour limit. The trip to Fort Sumter takes at least 2.5 hours.)

From points North on US-17

Traveling south on US-17, take the Meeting Street exit.
Turn left on Meeting Street.
Pass the Charleston Visitor Center on the right.
Proceed through one traffic light at John Street.
Turn left at next light onto Calhoun Street.
Proceed through two traffic lights at East Bay Street and Washington Street.
The visitor center is straight ahead.
Parking is on the left in the garage (7' clearance) or on Concord Street by meter. (Note: Most meters have a two-hour limit. The trip to Fort Sumter takes at least 2.5 hours.)

From points South on US-17

Traveling North on US-17, take the Lockwood Blvd/Lockwood Drive exit toward Calhoun Street.
Turn right on Lockwood Drive. Stay in the left lane.
Turn left on Calhoun Street.
Proceed about 1.5 miles until you cross East Bay Street and Washington Street.
The visitor center is straight ahead.
Parking is on the left in the garage (7' clearance) or on Concord Street by meter. (Note: Most meters have a two-hour limit. The trip to Fort Sumter takes at least 2.5 hours.)