Fort McHenry National Monument

Fort McHenry National Monument

2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 962-4290 ext. 250

Alert from the National Park Service as of Feb. 20, 2024: Recent storms have damaged portions of the historic granite seawall along the park’s river boundary. When visiting, please stay on the paved trail for your safety and do not walk, sit, or climb on the seawall.

The Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, administered by the National Park Service, commemorates the writing of the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. The Fort is located on a tip of land at the junction of the Baltimore Harbor and the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River. The strategic location of the Fort allowed the U.S. forces to successfully withstand a sustained siege by the British Navy in September of 1814; the words of the Star Spangled Banner immortalize the victory. The grounds include the historic star-shaped fort and surrounding areas, totaling 43 acres.

Fort McHenry grounds are extraordinarily productive for an urban setting, with 265+ species identified as of summer 2024. Located in the heart of bustling Baltimore, the Fort’s grounds provide a handy birding stop for visitors and local birders alike. The Fort’s Seawall Trail enables easy birding of the park: the paved sidewalk of the trail circles the outer edge of the grounds, paralleling the seawall. The Seawall Trail loop is about 1 mile in length.

After entering the Fort through the main gate, take the trail to the right. You will soon come to a spot where you have a view of a thriving urban wetlands area at the southwest corner of the grounds, adjacent to the Fort. The wetland, originally established as a mitigation site when the nearby Fort McHenry Tunnel was built, has been enhanced by National Park Service volunteer Jim Peters, who has added native plants and bird boxes and a butterfly garden in this area. The wetland is now maintained by staff and volunteers from the National Aquarium. The wetlands area is off-limits to entry by the general public, but a walk through the grounds may be included during some of the Baltimore Bird Club’s scheduled bird walks. Prior to entering the wetlands on such a walk, birders must complete and submit a waiver and release form to the National Aquarium.

Continue your walk at Fort McHenry on the sidewalk that circles the grounds, going counter-clockwise. As you walk, scan the open waters, looking southeast down the Patapsco River toward Dundalk and Sparrow’s Point, where the Francis Scott Key Bridge used to span the river. (The Key Bridge collapsed when struck by a cargo ship in March 2024; plans are underway to replace the bridge and reopen it by Fall 2028.) As you continue on the sidewalk loop, you’ll eventually be facing north, with a view into the neck of Baltimore Harbor. After scanning the water of the Harbor, continue following the sidewalk and keeping an eye on the water as well as the interior of the grounds as you go. The sidewalk will pass a number of historical features and will return you to the Main Gate.

The Baltimore Bird Club’s regularly scheduled bird walks at Fort McHenry are currently on the first Wednesday and the third Saturday of each month. The bird walks are free and open to the public; see Baltimore Bird Club for details. The out-of-print Birder’s Guide to Baltimore and Baltimore County, Maryland suggests

Birdlife:

As of summer 2024, 265 species have been reported at the eBird hotspot for Fort McHenry.

Waterbirds are the main attraction in winter. A large selection of ducks is usually present from November through March or April, as well as occasional loons and grebes. Wintering land birds include Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, kinglets and various sparrows.

Species present in the warm months and breeding here or nearby include herons and egrets, Osprey, Spotted Sandpiper, various terns, Chimney Swift, flycatchers, vireos, swallows, Marsh Wren, Yellow Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat.

Migrants found in spring and/or fall include Laughing Gull, thrushes, vireos, warblers, and sparrows.

Year-round birds include Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Fish Crow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, and American Goldfinch. Rarities have included Snowy Owl, Brown Pelican, American White Pelican, and Brown Booby.

Wheelchair Access:

The Seawall Trail is paved and ADA accessible. The lawns and picnic areas are also accessible. Restrooms inside the Visitor and Education Center and Star Fort are ADA accessible. Family style restrooms are located inside the Visitor and Education Center.

Pet Policy:

From the National Park Service website:

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is a pet-friendly park. Visitors are welcome to bring their pets to certain areas of the park, but please be mindful of the following regulations and limitations:

• Leaving pets unattended in a vehicle is prohibited. If you see an unattended pet please notify park staff immediately.
• Pets may be walked in designated areas of the park, but must be on a leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length at all times. Leaving a pet unattended and tied to an object at any time is prohibited.
• Pets are not permitted in the Historic Zone (area within the split-rail fence), Star Fort, and any other buildings, including the Visitor and Education Center.
• Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Garbage cans are available throughout the park for disposal of pet waste. It is unlawful to abandon waste bags in the park. Please bring your own supplies as the park is not responsible for providing clean up bags to visitors.
• It is unlawful to allow pets to harass and/or chase the wildlife. Visitors must maintain control of their pet and keep a safe distance from any other animals.
• These regulations and laws exist to keep pets, visitors, and park resources safe. There are no exceptions to the regulations for carried pets (in arms, carriers, strollers, backpacks, etc.) in restricted areas of the park. For more information, please consult the Superintendent’s Compendium.
• Please be mindful of weather conditions when bringing your pet to the park. Extremes in hot and cold tempatures can sometimes be harmful to pets. Water fountains are available throughout the park but visitors should bring their own containers in order to provide water to their pets.
• During the summer season, park programming includes artillery firing at scheduled times. Visitors with pets that are sensitive to sudden and loud noises are encouraged to take considerations when planning their visit during the summer season.
• Service Animals: Qualified service animals assisting visitors with disabilities are permitted throughout the park and in all park facilities, including the Historic Zone and Visitor and Education Center. However, they must be on a leash.

Special Designation:

Fort McHenry National Monument is a part of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network of the National Park Service.

Special Features:

• For families, it might be fun to combine a morning visit to Fort McHenry with an afternoon visit to the nearby National Aquarium, or perhaps the Maryland Zoo in Druid Hill Park.
• The excellent Visitor and Education Center at the Fort has a video and numerous exhibits about the history of the fort, where our national anthem was written.
• If you are interested in exploring the historical features of the Fort, several virtual tours are available, and could serve as the basis for an in-person on-site exploration.
• The Friends of Fort McHenry is the recognized non-profit fundraising partner for Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

Local MOS Chapter:

The Baltimore Bird Club is the founding chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, and remains an important hub of birding activity in the state. The club offers monthly meetings with informative presentations and a full schedule of field trips and bird walks, all free and open to the public.

Lights Out Baltimore is a project of the Baltimore Bird Club and the Maryland Ornithological Society that works toward making Baltimore safe for migratory birds by advocating for turning out decorative nighttime lighting in the city during peak migration seasons, as well as advocating for bird-safe building design that makes glass and windows visible to birds. Volunteers are needed to scout for birds killed or injured by hitting buildings during migration. See the Lights Out Baltimore website for ways you can help.

For a whimsical look at birding activities in Baltimore, check out the graphic arts booklet, “Birdland,” created by local artist and Baltimore Bird Club member Book Karnjanakit.

Multimedia:

• You can watch a short video “A Stroll through the Fort McHenry Wetlands” featuring National Park Service volunteer Jim Peters, who planned and enhanced the wetland.
• Several short National Park Service videos on the historical aspects of the Fort are available, including the 10-minute film shown at the Visitor Center, which focuses on the War of 1812 leading up the bombardment of Fort McHenry and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner.

Parking:

Free parking. Park in the large grassy unpaved roped-off parking lot on the north side of Constellation Plaza and just past Wallace Street. This parking area is outside the entrance gate.

Directions:

From I-95 going through downtown Baltimore, take Exit 55 for Hanover Street (last exit before the Fort McHenry Tunnel eastbound, first exit after the Tunnel westbound), then go east on McComas Street. Turn north (left) onto Key Highway which soon turns west; then take the first left (south) onto Lawrence Street. Next, turn left (east) onto East Fort Avenue, and continue east to the grassy unpaved parking lot on the north side of Constellation Plaza jus past Wallace Street, to the left of the gate into the main parking area for Fort McHenry. Birders usually park in this lot for bird walks.

Fort McHenry can also be reached from downtown Baltimore by local buses or from spring through fall by the Baltimore Water Taxi, which has stops all around Baltimore Harbor.

Nearby Sites:

Baltimore City: Cylburn Arboretum ■ Druid Hill Park ■ Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center ■ Patterson Park

Baltimore County: Cromwell Valley Park ■ Fort Howard Park ■ Gunpowder Falls State Park – Hammerman Area & Dundee Creek Marina ■ Hart-Miller Island State Park ■ Holt Park ■ Irvine Nature Center ■ Lake Roland ■ Liberty Reservoir – Baltimore County ■ Loch Raven Reservoir ■ Marshy Point Nature Center ■ Milford Mill aka Villa Nova Park ■ North Point State Park ■ Northern Central Rail Trail (NCRT) ■ Oregon Ridge Park ■ Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area

Habitats:

Garden or ArboretumLawn, Ballfields, Golf CourseUrban or Small Town Landscape Freshwater Marsh or FloodplainJetties & SeawallsMud Flats (Tidal or Non-Tidal)Open Ocean, Bay, or Estuary

Features:

BeginnersEntry Fee (for Some Areas, Other Areas Free)Gift Shop or BookstoreHabitat Restoration ProjectHistorical FeaturesParkingPicnic AreaRestroomsVisitor Center, Interpretive Displays, ExhibitsWater ViewWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / Families

Type:

#1 Hotspot in County or CityChesapeake Bay Gateways NetworkChesapeake Bay Western ShoreHistorical SitesNational Parks & MonumentsThe Rivers of the Western Shore