Fort Monroe National Monument

Fort Monroe National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Virginia.

In the park service’s words

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 (public domain).

Things to do

• Commemorate the First African Landing: 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 States and its people.
• Discover Fort Monroe's African American Heritage (45 Minutes): 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 continued through the age of slavery and abolition, and into the 2000s.
• Join a Guided Tour of Fort Monroe (45 to 60 Minutes): 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 peoples came to this area and what were their legacies? Who built the fort, why, and how?
• Be a Fort Monroe Junior Ranger: The Junior Ranger program helps kids explore, learn about, and protect Fort Monroe National Monument. Anyone can become a Junior Ranger by completing activities during a visit to the park.
• Start at the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center (15 to 60 Minutes): 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 Parks. Kids can get their Junior Ranger activity book. Plan your visit with the information desk staff. See exhibits to learn about the forti
• See Exhibits at the Casemate Museum (30 to 60 Minutes): 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 the stone fort. Information desk staff will give direction when you get your ticket.
• Take a Self-Guiding Walking Tour (60 to 90 Minutes): Start by getting a self-guiding walking tour brochure outside the Visitor & Education Center at 30 Ingalls Road, Fort Monroe, Virginia.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 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.

Camping

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.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center: Mon Closed; Tue 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Wed 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Thu 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Fri 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Sat 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Sun 9:30AM - 4:30PM. Call 757-690-8181 or e-mail visit@fortmonroe.org to confirm holiday hours at Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center.
• Casemate Museum: Mon Closed; Tue 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Wed 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 10:00AM - 4:00PM. Located within the fort walls, the museum highlights a topical history of Point Comfort and Fort Monroe. The museum showcases the unique purposes of the casemates through time and the important role Fort Monroe played during the Civil War through the 21st century. Learn about the importance of tourism and hospitality during the turn of the 20th century, the importance of Fort Monroe as school starting per-Civil War, and other interesting uses of the casemates over time.

Weather

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 153 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Fort Monroe National Monument (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.