Fort Sumter National Monument Custom Search The first engagement of the Civil War took place at Fort Sumter on April 12 and 13, 1861. After 34 hours of fighting, the Union surrendered the fort to the Confederates. From 1863 to 1865, the Confederates at Fort Sumter withstood a 22 month siege by Union forces. During this time, most of the fort was reduced to brick rubble. Fort Sumter became a national monument in 1948.     CONTACTS Email - FOSU_Ranger_Activities@nps.gov Fax- 843-883-3910 Write to 1214 Middle Street Sullivan's Island, SC 29482 Phone Visitor Information - 843-883-3123 Headquarters - 843-883-3124 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Daily, except January 1 and December 25. Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April through Labor Day, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. March and September through November. Hours vary otherwise and can be determined by contacting the park. Getting There PLANE - The concession tour boats leave from Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, or the City Marina on Lockwood Blvd., just south of US-17 in Charleston. For visitors to the City Marina, parking at the Charleston Visitor Center (on Meeting Street) and using the DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) service is recommended. For private boats, Fort Sumter is 3.33 miles from Charleston at the harbor entrance. If traveling on the tour boat, allow 2 hours and 15 minutes for the trip (35-minute boat ride each way, and 1 hour at the fort). CAR - See above. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - See above. Weather & Climate Summers are extremely hot and humid. Light clothing. Winters very mild. Wear a light jacket. Accessibility Limited. Wheelchair accessibility is from the City Marina. At Fort Sumter, three elevators give access to the upper levels of the fort. A wheelchair is available at the fort. FACILITIES FORT SUMTER MUSEUM SHOP Open All Year Same as Park Closures - Closed January 1 and December 25. Available Facilities - A small museum shop is operated at the fort. Snacks and drinks are available on tour boat. Museums FORT SUMTER MUSEUM Open All Year Same as Park Phone - None Closures - Closed January 1 and December 25. Special Programs - Special programs are usually done for April 12 and 13. For more information call (843) 883-3123. Available Facilities - No visitor center is at the fort. An extensive renovation was completed on the museum in 1995. Interpretive waysides are found throughout the fort for self-guided tours.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Fort Sumter National Monument.   Campgrounds Near Fort Sumter National Monument: No 1 Camps, Isle Of Palms, 4 miles away KOA Kampgrounds, Mt Pleasant, 7 miles away The Campground at James Island, Charleston, 10 miles away Campground At James Island, Charleston, 10 miles away Charles Towne Landing state Historic Site, Charleston, 12 miles away Fain's RV Park, North Charleston, 18 miles away Oak Plantation Campground, Johns Island, 18 miles away   Marinas Near Fort Sumter National Monument: Tolers Cove Marina, Mount Pleasant , 1 miles away Marina MGA, Mount Pleasant , 4 miles away Isle of Palms Marina, Isle Of Palms , 6 miles away Charlestown Marina, Charlestown , 6 miles away Charleston Maritime Center, Charleston , 6 miles away   Hotels Near Fort Sumter National Monument: Plantation Oaks Inn, Mount Pleasant , 3 miles away Shem Creek Inn, Mount Pleasant , 3 miles away Courtyard Charleston Mt. Pleasant, Mount Pleasant , 4 miles away The Palms Hotel, Isle Of Palms , 4 miles away Homewood Stes Mt Pleasant, Mount Pleasant , 4 miles away Hampton Inn Suites Charleston/MtPleasantIsle Of Palms, Mt. Pleasant , 4 miles away Isle of Palms and Wild Dunes by ResortQuest, Isle Of Palms , 4 miles away   Trails Near Fort Sumter National Monument: Turkey Walk Trail, Charleston County , 18 miles away   Beaches Near Fort Sumter National Monument: Folly Beach, Charleston County , 8 miles away   Whitewater Near Fort Sumter National Monument: Whitewater Outfitter - Lesesne Tour Company - The Original Pub Tour of Charleston, Charleston County , 6 miles away, Whitewater outfitter   Public Lands Near Fort Sumter National Monument: Fort Moultrie National Monument, Sullivan's Island - SC , 0 miles away Devils Fork State Park, South Carolina , 29 miles away Edisto Beach State Park, South Carolina , 35 miles away Hampton Plantation State Park, South Carolina , 38 miles away   Golf Courses Near Fort Sumter National Monument: Patriots Pointe Golf Course, Mount Pleasant , 4 miles away Snee Farm Country Club, Mount Pleasant , 5 miles away Leonard Golf, Mount Pleasant , 6 miles away Rivertowne Country Club, Mount Pleasant , 7 miles away Charleston National Country Club Golf, Mount Pleasant , 8 miles away   Lakes Near Fort Sumter National Monument Colonial Lake, Charleston County , 7 miles away