Last Updated on January 7, 2026 by PorchLightReading
Exploring Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. Family travel guide to visiting this National Park with exhibits, bunkers, and more!
Bunkers, exhibits, tunnels and beach. We love exploring the Charleston area and that includes Fort Moultrie National Historical Park on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina.
We moved here just a short year and a half ago and in that time we have been busy! Beaches, downtown, church ruins, plantations and of course visiting Fort Moultrie. This wasn’t our first visit and we’ve been back several times bringing extended family and friends who make there way down south to pay us a visit. And we’re so glad when they do!
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- Table of contents: Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
- A brief history
- Visitors center and museum
- Bunkers and tunnels
- Beach access
- Hours, admission, and free days to visit!
- Things to do in the area
The first time we visited we were happily surprised to find that we could visit this fort free using the America the Beautiful Park Pass. The self guided tour is filled with bunkers and underground tunnels kids and adults alike will love exploring.
Did I just say that there was a really cool activity that’s free in the Charleston area? Yes, I did. Well I said that it’s free for pass holders, military, 4th graders, and others that qualify, but we’ll talk a bit more about that later.
Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, SC
Fort Moultrie National Historical Park is located on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. It’s just a short 10 miles from downtown Charleston but let’s remember that even though 10 miles should only take 22 minutes, traffic downtown can be tough and can take 30-40 minutes, easy, if you hit rush hour.
As you make your way there keep your eyes open for Muddock Castle on Sullivan’s Island. It’s located on the lefthand side right before your reach the fort, and is a pretty fun find to have the kids look out for.
A Brief History
Fort Moultrie was first constructed in 1786 on Sullivan’s Island, just outside of Charleston. It was mostly made from palmetto logs and sand since those materials were readily available. It turned out that the soft palmetto wood would actually absorb the shock of the British cannonballs, making the fort surprisingly tough.
Before the fort was finished it encountered its first attack against the British and the battle was won under the commander Colonel William Moultrie.
It eventually became neglected until 1793 when Great Britain and France were at war. Congress wanted to keep the shorelines safe and Fort Moultrie was rebuilt and new forts were added. It was later destroyed by a hurricane in 1804 and by 1809 was rebuilt for a third time.
Later, the South wanted to expand slavery over to the Western territories. However, President Abraham Lincoln was opposed to slavery and in the 1860s South Carolina and several other states seceded from the Union. Union troops decided to move their forces to Fort Sumter and the Confederacy took over Fort Moultrie. Shots were fired from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter and Civil War began on April 12 1861.
The fort was officially closed in 1947 and later became part of the National Park Service.
Fort Moultrie Visitors Center
Inside the visitors center you can purchase tickets to see the fort. If you happen to be military, you can also apply for a National Parks Pass- making your visit free and the pass good for an entire year here and National Parks throughout the United States.
Once inside you can decided if you’d like to do a self guided tour, or sign up for a tour from one of their knowledgeable staff members.
The museum inside the vistors center is a great place to learn more about Fort Moultrie and the role in history it played. They also have a 20 minute informational movie in their theater that will go over dates and take you though the timeline of the fort.
Become a Junior Ranger- Be sure to ask the front desk about becoming a junior ranger! To become a junior ranger you will need to complete a booklet with activities and information about Fort Moultrie. Once completed, hand it in to one of the park rangers where you will be sworn in.
Bunkers and Tunnels
Across the street from the visitors center is the entrance to the fort. Walking through the underground bunker you can either go straight through to the other side, or turn left and explore the long tunnels that snake their way underground.
Long passages and skinny tunnels twist into different rooms once used for storage. The tunnel will eventually bring you back up the the surface where you can decided if you’re going up to the tower, or down the stairs to another bunker.
Taking the door to the right under the tower will lead you down a steep staircase with a heavy metal door at the bottom. It creeks open and inside you are now in front of a long hall filled with offices staged to what this fort would look like during the wars it once faced.
Coffee cups line the tables. Radios sit to the side. Ashtrays, maps, posters, newspapers. Everything is frozen in time and for a moment you forget you are underground.
Outside, from the top of the tower, you can see Fort Sumter in the distance on a clear day. A battery to the left and the quiet beach ahead of you. Be sure to walk the remainder of the fort, reading the informational plaques as you go.
As you head back though the tunnel you first entered, be sure to turn right towards the battery where you can also go inside and see where they use to store gunpowder and other military supplies. Cannons line the path and to the side is a white sandy path that leads to the ocean.
The Beach Path
Leave your bathing suits at home because this is a no swimming beach. You can, however, enjoy a stroll along the water. Take off your shoes, sit for a while, and watch the ships come in and out of the harbor. In the distance you can see the Author Ravenel Bridge and the buildings of downtown Charleston. You can even see Fort Sumter on a clear day.
Keep your eyes open because we’ve spotted dolphins! It was only once in our few times of visiting since then, but once has given us enough hope that we might see them again.
Hours Admission and Free Days for 2026!
Fort Moultrie is located at 1214 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482, and is open daily from 9am-4:30pm. They are closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. There is a per person admission to enter, however, there are a few discounts you might be interested in. So be sure to check the National Park Pass website to see if you qualify.
- $10 per person age 16 and older
- Free with America The Beautiful Pass
- Pass free to current US military and dependents
- Pass free to Gold Star families and veterans
- Apply for 4th graders pass!
- Access pass for US citizens with permanent disability
- Pass discounted for Seniors
Did you know there are certain times of the year that you can visit National Parks for free? That includes Fort Moultrie, so be sure to mark your calendar and visit on one of these days.
- 2026 Free Entry Days
- February 16: Presidents Day
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day
- July 3-5 Independence Day weekend
- August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
Things To Do In The Area
Now that we’ve explored the fort and become a Jr. Ranger, it’s time to see what else we can do in the area. It’s easy to suggest to you places to dine or shop, but that’s not really what I’m looking for. I’m looking for swim beaches, walking paths, and something unique to see in the area.
- Beach!
- Isle of Palms County Park- Free with Charleston County Park Pass or per person to visit. Sandy beach, playground, changing area, snacks, and restrooms.
- Shem Creek Boardwalk
- Beautiful boardwalk with limited free parking. There are also great restaurants lining the water.
- Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum- Submarine tour
- Mount Pleasant Pier
- Boardwalk, playground, cafe, visitors center
- Pitt Street Bridge
- Fun fact- Jay Jay from Outter Banks rode his dirt bike down this boardwalk.
Sullivan’s Island does also have a beach area but the reason I’m not suggesting it is because the current can be very strong and there are dips under the waters surface. I wouldn’t call it a very kid friendly beach unless you plan on walking the shore only.
Mount Pleasant Pier
Shem Creek Boardwalk
Fort Moultrie has quickly become one of our favorite places to take extended family visiting the area. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring the fort, bunkers, and tunnels, while wondering what lies around the dark corner ahead.
The museum gives an in depth look into the history of our country, while the battery, cannons, and nearby beach give this museum and landmark a hands on personal experience.
Personal note- Even on warm summer mornings you can still enjoy walking the fort and surrounding area. Although Charleston is hot and humid, the underground bunkers give you a break from the sun and stay a bit cooler since they are underground. The visitor center gives you a moments relief from the heat with its fabulous modern air conditioning, and the 20 minute educational movie allows you to sit in the cool air and relax in the dark theater while learning a bit more about the fort.
We’ll see you on our next adventure! And possibly on our next visit to Fort Moultrie.
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