Getting to Fort McHenry

How far is Fort McHenry from the Inner Harbor?

About 3 miles, at the end of the Locust Point peninsula. That is 10 to 15 minutes by car without traffic, a short ride on the free Circulator, or roughly an hour on foot.

Every way in, with 2026 prices:

Walking is fine if you like a city hike: the route follows Key Highway past the marinas, then through the Locust Point rowhouses. On a hot day, take the bus one way at least.

How do you drive to Fort McHenry?

Take I-95 to Exit 55 (Key Highway) and follow the brown Fort McHenry signs: left on Lawrence Street, then left on Fort Avenue. Use Lawrence Street, not Woodall Street, even if your GPS says otherwise.

• From the south (Washington, BWI), on I-95 north: take Exit 55 to Key Highway. You leave the highway before the tunnel, so there is no toll.
• From the north (Philadelphia), on I-95 south: you go through the Fort McHenry Tunnel. Keep to the far-right toll lanes, then take Exit 55.
• On Key Highway: at the third light, turn left onto Lawrence Street, then left onto Fort Avenue, which ends at the gate.
• From the Inner Harbor: Light Street south, left on Key Highway, right on Lawrence Street, left on Fort Avenue.

Type the street address into your phone, not just "Fort McHenry". The name alone can send you to the tunnel, and the Park Service itself warns that your GPS may pick Woodall Street.

Is parking free at Fort McHenry?

Yes. The main lot by the visitor center and the overflow lot are free for cars and buses, with ADA spaces first come, first served.

The accessibility page says it plainly: "Parking at Fort McHenry is free." The lots sit inside the gates, so they open at 9:00 a.m. and close with the park at 5:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. in summer).

Two exceptions. On big event days such as Defenders' Day parking stays free but fills up, and the lots close to cars whose passengers leave the grounds for more than an hour, so don't park at the fort to go out in Locust Point. And for a few events, like Sail250 in June 2026, the park closed to vehicles altogether.

Is the Fort McHenry Tunnel the same as Fort McHenry?

No. The Fort McHenry Tunnel is the I-95 toll tunnel under the harbor, just south of the fort, run by the Maryland Transportation Authority. A car pays $3 to $6 to drive through it, and it does not lead into the park.

It opened in November 1985, runs nearly 1.4 miles in four tubes with eight lanes, dips to 107 feet below the water at its lowest point and cost $750 million (MDTA). Tolls are collected in both directions, and since 2020 they are all-electronic: no cash and no booth to stop at. Two-axle rates, unchanged since April 2021:

You only pay if you come from the north. Drivers from Washington or BWI leave I-95 at Exit 55 before the tunnel. The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel on I-895 charges the same. Trucks and RVs: both tunnels ban bulk gasoline, explosives and propane over 10 pounds per container; check the MDTA restrictions before you come with gas bottles on board.

Can you take a bus to Fort McHenry?

Yes, and for free. The Charm City Circulator's Banner Route runs from the Inner Harbor to the Fort McHenry gate every 40 minutes. MTA's LocalLink 94 also ends at the fort, for a $2 fare.

• Where to catch it: the Banner Route's Inner Harbor stop is on Pratt Street (stop 420), with more stops on Light Street and Key Highway. At the fort it stops on Fort Avenue at the gate (stop 411).
• Hours: Monday to Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday 7:00 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 9:00 a.m. to midnight, Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. No service on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Day (city schedule).
• Our tip: with 40 minutes between buses, check the next departure before you leave the fort. Missing one by a minute is a long wait.
• LocalLink 94 runs from Sinai Hospital in northwest Baltimore through downtown to the fort. Fare $2.00, day pass $4.60 (MTA fares).

Can you take the Water Taxi to Fort McHenry?

Yes, on weekends until 31 October 2026. The Baltimore Water Taxi's Outer Harbor Route stops at the fort; an all-day adult pass is $18 online, and there are no pickups at the fort after 5:00 p.m.

The Outer Harbor Route loops Fell's Point, Locust Point, Fort McHenry, Canton Park and Lighthouse. From Harborplace you ride the Inner Harbor Route to Fell's Point and change there on the same pass. Fares bought online: adults 13 to 61 $18, seniors $16, military, veterans and first responders $13, children 3 to 12 $8, under 2 free; $1 more on board. Leashed dogs ride free.

Two rules trip people up. You can't buy Water Taxi tickets at the fort, and the Park Service says you can only leave by boat if you arrived by boat. From November to March there is no boat to the fort; it returns on weekends in April. Every boat option, including the ones that only pass the fort, is in Fort McHenry by boat.

Can you get to Fort McHenry by Uber, bike or scooter?

Uber, Lyft and bikes, yes. Ride shares drop off in the main parking lot, and bikes have racks near it. Motorized scooters are banned in the park.

• Ride share: drop-off and pick-up in the main lot by the visitor center.
• Bikes: pedal and e-assist bikes are allowed in designated areas, including the seawall trail, at up to 10 mph. Not in the historic zone or any building. Racks are near the main lot.
• Scooters and share bikes: rideshare scooters and bikes must not be left inside the park. There is a scooter rack outside the main gate.
• Skates and boards: skateboards, inline skates and roller skates are not allowed.

How do you get to Fort McHenry from BWI or Washington, DC?

By car, take I-95 north to Exit 55: no tunnel and no toll. BWI Airport is 11 miles away, Reagan National 46 and Dulles 56.

Without a car, the Light RailLink runs from BWI Marshall to downtown Baltimore, and from there the Circulator or a ride share covers the last stretch. From Washington, MARC and Amtrak trains reach Baltimore; then continue by Circulator from the Inner Harbor or by ride share.

Day-trippers without a car can also let someone else drive. The small-group neighborhoods tour leaves the Baltimore Visitor Center at 401 Light Street and stops 20 minutes at the fort; the private tour can pick you up. Neither includes the $15 fort entry, and 20 minutes is enough for the grounds, not the fort.

Arriving without a car? A local guide drives you through Fell's Point, Mount Vernon and Federal Hill, with 20 minutes at Fort McHenry.

★ 4.6 · 1.5 hours · from $48

Explore the neighborhoods tour with a fort stop → Tour details

Frequently asked questions