News Release

Charleston Area National Park Sites Close Due to Threat of Hurricane Idalia

The Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square

Nicole Boyd

News Release Date: August 29, 2023

Contact: Brett Spaulding, 843-990-3165

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, SC – On August 29, 2023, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site have temporarily closed in preparation for Hurricane Idalia and the safety of visitors and staff. All concession-operated ferry trips to Fort Sumter have been suspended and no special park use permits will be issued until further notice.      

All closures will remain in place until severe weather passes, and the National Park Service conducts post-storm assessments to determine that employee and visitor facilities are safe. Status of the parks will be posted as an alert on the park’s websites.  

If the storm track changes, the parks may issue a new advisory with updated status, including any lifting of closures. Please check “Alerts” on the park website for current information. The NPS Hurricane and Severe Weather Response has updates for all National Park Service sites.  

For more information about Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, visit www.nps.gov/fosu and www.nps.gov/chpi  or follow the park on Facebook.