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National Monument

Fort Monroe National Monument

  • Mid-Atlantic

Plan a Fort Monroe trip

About Fort Monroe

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escaping slavery sought their freedom at the fort during the Civil War. The fort remained bastion of national defense until 2011, when it became a national park.

From the National Park Service.

Region
Mid-Atlantic
State
Virginia
Designation
National Monument
Entrance fee
None listed
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Fort Monroe.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Fort Monroe

Mon
5:00AM - 11:59PM
Tue
5:00AM - 11:59PM
Wed
5:00AM - 11:59PM
Thu
5:00AM - 11:59PM
Fri
5:00AM - 11:59PM
Sat
5:00AM - 11:59PM
Sun
5:00AM - 11:59PM

Fort Monroe National Monument is open year-round for outdoor activities like walking and exploring the historic grounds. Residents occupy many of the buildings. Respect their privacy by not peering into windows or opening gates.

Weather and when to go

Spring: Temperatures range from 40 F to 70 F with rain being common. Summer: Temperatures range from 75 F to 100 F with rain and sun equally common. On very sunny days, be prepared with plenty of water. Fall: Temperatures usually range from 40 F to 65 F. Hurricanes are more likely to threaten the are at this time of year. If planning a visit during this time, please be mindful of the storm activity. Winter: Temperatures range from 40 F to 50 F on average with snow being uncommon.

Getting there

Take exit 268 from Interstate 64 (I-64) in Hampton, Virginia toward Fort Monroe. Turn left from the exit ramp onto South Mallory Street. Turn right at the second light onto East Mellen Street. Cross the bridge and turn left at the light onto Ingalls Road. The Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center is on the left after about two-thirds of a mile. Park on Ingalls Road or in the lot behind the building.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
30 Ingalls Road, Fort Monroe, VA 23651-1001
Official site
nps.gov/fomr

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Fort Monroe

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

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Things to do in Fort Monroe

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

  • Commemorate the First African Landing

    Cultural Demonstrations · about 45 min

    Come together at Fort Monroe each August to commemorate the landing of the first enslaved Africans in Virginia. Their historic arrival still has a profound impact on the United St…

  • Discover Fort Monroe's African American Heritage

    Self-Guided Tours - Walking · about 45 min

    Immerse yourself in over four hundred years of African American history. That story begins in 1619 with the arrival of the first enslaved Africans at Old Point Comfort. It continu…

  • Join a Guided Tour of Fort Monroe

    Guided Tours · about 50 min

    National Park Service and the Fort Monroe Authority offer guided walking tours year-round. Tours may answer questions about different aspects of Fort Monroe's history. What people…

  • Start at the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center

    Museum Exhibits · about 30 min

    Start at the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center Pick up a park brochure, ticket for the Casemate Museum, and a self-guiding walking tour. Stamp your Passport to Your National…

  • See Exhibits at the Casemate Museum

    Museum Exhibits · about 40 min · Reservation required

    Exhibits at the Casemate Museum chronicle the military history of Fort Monroe. Get your free museum ticket Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center. The Casemate Museum is within th…

  • Take a Self-Guiding Walking Tour

    Self-Guided Tours - Walking · about 1.2 hours

    Start by getting a self-guiding walking tour brochure outside the Visitor & Education Center at 30 Ingalls Road, Fort Monroe, Virginia.

Campgrounds in Fort Monroe

Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.

  • The Colonies RV Travel Park & Country Store

    35 reservable sites

    The Colonies RV & Travel Park is at historic and scenic Fort Monroe National Monument. The Colonies offers RV and tent camping sites. The country store sells g…

What to pack for Fort Monroe

Gear & Essentials

Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:

The basics

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For this trip

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