Photo: NPS/ Tim Ervin
by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue banner?
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Whose broad stripes and bright stars... were so gallantly streaming...over Fort McHenry! The valiant defense of the fort during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the U.S. national anthem.
The fort's history holds many other stories too, from the Civil War to WWII.
We do not mail Junior Ranger books; please download from site. Completed books may be submitted digitally. Junior Ranger badges may be mailed once per person per calendar year after completion. We do not mail completed books back.
Starting March 18, preservationists restoring the bronze state plaques along the entrance road, and the War of 1812 commemorative markers in the Orpheus Grove. Some of these areas may be temporarily closed while work is in progress.
Traffic in the Baltimore area has increased considerably in recent months due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge which connected the Baltimore beltway. Please check the latest traffic conditions to plan your travel accordingly.
For the safety and protection of visitors and park resources, motorized scooters are not permitted within the park. Any vehicles (scooters, bicycles, etc.) that are part of a ride-share program may not be left behind for pick up inside the park
23 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
Information on how to become a Fort McHenry Junior Ranger!
Learn more about Become a Fort McHenry Jr. Ranger on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Kids of all ages can participate in the Star-Spangled Banner Trail Junior Ranger program. The Junior Ranger booklet is full of activities that can be completed to earn a Junior Ranger badge.
Learn more about Become a Junior Ranger for the Star-Spangled Banner Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)Showing 2 of 2
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Find visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Visitor Center
The Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:45 pm. Inside the visitor center is an introductory museum, a movie (plays every 30…
Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Park registers for purchasing Star Fort Historic Zone entry or America the Beautiful Passes are open from 9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Star Fort, Visitor Center, gift shop, and restrooms close 15 minutes before the park closes. Closing times indicate when the gates will be closed; all visitors must exit by this time. Last entry into the park is at 4:45 p.m.
| Monday | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Thursday | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Friday | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Saturday | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Sunday | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
Access to the historic zone (where the star fort is located) requires an entrance fee.
There is no group rate for the entrance fee. All groups must pay $15 per adult. Children in the groups are free, however, they must be accompanied by an adult in the historic zone. Interagency passes are allowed to be used to assist with group entry fees.
All commercial groups wishing to visitor Fort McHenry NM&HS must first obtain a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA). Groups with an active CUA are subject to the same $15 per person fee to enter the historic zone, however their employees conducting business (tour guides, bus drivers, etc.) are not subject to the entrance fee. Interagency passes may be used to assist with fee payment.
The Fort McHenry Annual Pass covers the pass holder plus three adults to enter the Fort McHenry NM & HS Historic Zone for 12 months. The pass is both available at the park visitor center, or a digital version is available on recreation.gov. In order for the pass to work, it must be physically on the passholder with a valid photo ID. To purchase the pass, visit the visitor center desk which is open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on weekdays, or 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekends during the summer.
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Temperatures and weather in the spring and fall months tend to be mild. Ice, snow, and freezing temperatures can occur during winter. Extreme heat can occur during the summer months. Inclement weather may impact park hours of operation year round. Refer to the park alerts or call ahead to confirm operating hours.
Fort McHenry holds a unique honor as the very first site to receive a presidential proclamation requiring the U.S. flag to fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Each day, you’re invited to join park staff for our morning and evening flag‑changing traditions. Discover why the flag became a powerful symbol during the Battle of Baltimore and how it became deeply tied to the nation’s story as the inspiration behind the Star-Spangled Banner. In the mornings, we raise a replica of a historic flag. In the evenings, we lift an all‑weather flag that proudly flies through the night.
Don’t just read about history—experience it!
Plan your visit, join a flag program, and be part of a tradition that connects us to the nation’s story.
*Flag changes are weather dependent.
Fort McHenry holds a unique honor as the very first site to receive a presidential proclamation requiring the U.S. flag to fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Each day, you’re invited to join park staff for our morning and evening flag‑changing traditions. Discover why the flag became a powerful symbol during the Battle of Baltimore and how it became deeply tied to the nation’s story as the inspiration behind the Star-Spangled Banner. In the mornings, we raise a replica of a historic flag. In the evenings, we lift an all‑weather flag that proudly flies through the night.
Don’t just read about history—experience it!
Plan your visit, join a flag program, and be part of a tradition that connects us to the nation’s story.
*Flag changes are weather dependent.
With stories from the War of 1812 through the Second World War, Fort McHenry allows for a wide variety of history and subjects to be the topic of the park's ranger programs. Join rangers as they present pre-established programs that help orient visitors to the park's amazing stories!
Fort McHenry holds a unique honor as the very first site to receive a presidential proclamation requiring the U.S. flag to fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Each day, you’re invited to join park staff for our morning and evening flag‑changing traditions. Discover why the flag became a powerful symbol during the Battle of Baltimore and how it became deeply tied to the nation’s story as the inspiration behind the Star-Spangled Banner. In the mornings, we raise a replica of a historic flag. In the evenings, we lift an all‑weather flag that proudly flies through the night.
Don’t just read about history—experience it!
Plan your visit, join a flag program, and be part of a tradition that connects us to the nation’s story.
*Flag changes are weather dependent.
The park is three miles southeast of the Baltimore Inner Harbor and just off I-95. Follow the brown Fort McHenry directional signs along all major routes to the park.
From I-95 northbound, take Exit 55 Key Highway and follow Fort McHenry signs.
Mailing address: 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230
Ask about trails, fees, weather, events, or planning your visit.
AI answers can be wrong. Check official NPS info before you go.
