Directions to Fort Sumter

You cannot get to Fort Sumter from Sullivan's Island or Fort Moultrie.


Sullivan's Island is the park's mailing address. Fort Sumter is located on an island in Charleston harbor and is only accessible by boat.

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Visiting Fort Sumter by Ferry

There are two departure locations for the ferry to Fort Sumter:

1. The Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center is located at 340 Concord Street in downtown Charleston. Parking for regular passenger vehicles is available in an adjacent parking garage.
2. Patriots Point is located at 40 Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant. Visitors with large vehicles such as buses and RVs should plan on departing from Patriots Point.

See the concessioner page for departure schedules and ticket prices.

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Visiting Fort Sumter by Private Boat

If you own your own boat you can visit Fort Sumter at no charge. Please use caution when tying to our dock and do not use space reserved for the ferry or the National Park Service boat. We also recommend timing your visit to coincide with high tide as much as possible.

Check the fort's hours of operation before visiting. Use these GPS coordinates to help you navigate to Fort Sumter.

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Directions to the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center

340 Concord Street
Charleston, South Carolina

From I-26

1. Take I-26 E to Charleston.
2. Take exit 221B on the left for Meeting Street.
3. Turn right onto Meeting Street.
4. Turn left onto Calhoun Street.
5. Proceed across East Bay Street and Washington Street.
6. The Fort Sumter Visitor Education 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 US-17 north of Charleston

1. Take US-17 S.
2. Take the Morrison Drive/East Bay Street exit.
3. Turn left on Morrison Drive. Morrison Drive becomes East Bay Street.
4. Turn left onto Calhoun Street.
5. Proceed across Washington Street.
6. The Fort Sumter Visitor Education 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 US-17 south of Charleston

1. Take US-17 N toward Charleston.
2. Take the Lockwood Drive exit toward the Visitor Center.
3. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Lockwood Drive South and merge onto Lockwood Drive.
4. Turn left on Calhoun Street.
5. Proceed across Washington Street.
6. The Fort Sumter Visitor Education 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.)

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Directions to Patriots Point
40 Patriots Point Road
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

From I-26

1. Take I-26 East toward Charleston.
2. Take exit 220 to merge onto US-17 N toward Mount Pleasant.
3. Merge onto SC 703 E / Coleman Boulevard toward Sullivan's Island
4. Turn right onto Patriots Point Road
5. Follow Patriots Point Road to the Patriots Point parking area on the right.

From US-17 north of Charleston

1. Go west on US-17 S toward Charleston.
2. Turn left on Magrath Darby Boulevard.
3. Continue through the intersection onto Patriots Point Road.
4. Follow Patriots Point Road to the Patriots Point parking area on the right.

From US-17 south of Charleston

1. Go east on US-17 N.
2. Continue onto I-26 W.
3. Take exit 220B to merge onto US-17 N toward Mount Pleasant and stay in the right lane.
4. Merge onto SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard via the ramp to Sullivan's Island.
5. Turn right onto Patriots Point Road.
6. Follow Patriots Point road to the Patriots Point parking area on the right.