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

Fort Sumter Ferry

A ramp system makes access a reality for all who visit Fort Sumter by ferry from the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center in downtown Charleston. Even motorized wheelchairs are no longer a barrier.

While this system offers full accessibility like never before possible, there may be times when routine maintenance or unexpected repairs render the system unavailable. To ensure that your visit will be fully accessible, we recommend that you call ahead on the day of your visit to park headquarters at (843) 883-3123 x 10.

The ferry departing from Patriots Point is not accessible.

Inside Fort Sumter

Elevators inside Fort Sumter give disabled visitors access to all levels of the fort. See a ranger when you arrive on site if you need to use the elevators.

There may be times when one or more elevator is unavailable due to routine maintenance or when unexpected repairs are needed. To ensure that your visit will be fully accessible, we recommend that you call ahead on the day of your visit to park headquarters at (843) 883-3123 x 10.

Please note that the fort's restrooms and water will be shut down beginning September 29, 2009 for up to 150 days. During this time we will be expanding the restrooms and making them more accessible. While the work is underway restrooms and water are available on the ferry boats. However, fully accessible restrooms are only available at the departure locations in Charleston and Mount Pleasant. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this project.

Fort Moultrie

A majority of the visitor center and fort are accessible by wheelchair. A wheelchair is available at no cost and can be checked out at the visitor center.

Park Headquarters

Park Headquarters is fully accessible.