Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry is a historical American coastal pentagonal bastion fort on Locust Point, now a neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. It is best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British Royal Navy from Chesapeake Bay on September 13–14, 1814. The fort was built in 1798 and was used continuously by U.S. armed forces through World War I and by the United States Coast Guard in World War II.

It was designated a national park in 1925, and, in 1939, was redesignated a U.S. National Monument. During the War of 1812, an American storm flag, 17 by 25 feet (5.2 m × 7.6 m), was flown over Fort McHenry during the British bombardment of the fort.

The flag was replaced early on the morning of September 14, 1814, with a larger American garrison flag, 30 by 42 feet (9.1 m × 12.8 m). The flag's continued flying signaled that the fort continued to remain in American hands, leading British forces to withdraw and ending the Battle of Baltimore in an American victory. The sight of the ensign inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry" that was later set to music in the song "To Anacreon in Heaven", which was later known and designated as "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the United States.

Fort McHenry occupies a particular place in the imagination of American public lands. As a Park Unit in Maryland, it represents a deliberate choice — by the people who advocated for its protection, and by the National Park Service rangers who maintain it — to keep this landscape available to anyone willing to make the trip. That accessibility is the quiet miracle of the park system.

The pages linked below break the visit down into the four practical questions every traveler asks: where can I hike, where can I sleep, what else is worth seeing while I'm in the area, and what should I know before I show up. Each one is written from the perspective of someone planning their first trip — assume nothing, explain what's worth explaining, and skip the marketing language. If you've been here before, treat these guides as a refresher and a way to discover the corners you missed last time.

What this guide covers

Over the next four pages, this field guide breaks Fort McHenry into the practical questions every traveler asks: which trails are worth the effort, where to sleep both inside and outside the park boundary, what else is worth a stop in the surrounding region, and the small-but-essential tips that make the difference between a stressful first day and a smooth one. Use the navigation above to jump between sections, or read them in order — they're written to flow.

• Hikes — short loops, half-day trails, and backcountry routes
• Camping — drive-in campgrounds, RV sites, and backcountry permits
• Nearby attractions — gateway towns and adjacent public lands
• Visitor tips — timing, fees, weather, and what to skip

Logistics at a glance

Use this quick reference when you're putting together your itinerary. The figures below are the most-asked questions every visitor needs answered before arrival, summarized in one place.

Designation	Park Unit
State	Maryland
Entrance fee	Varies — check the official park site below for current rates.
Visitor center hours	Most open daily 8–9am to 4:30–6pm. Reduced winter hours common.
Best months	Plan around the weather notes above.
Camping inside park	See the camping guide for campground details, fees, and reservation windows.
Nearby gateway towns	See nearby attractions for lodging and supply stops.