Entrance Fees
The entrance fee to the historic area of the park is $7.00 for adults 16 years of age and older; children 15 and younger are free. This fee provides the visitor with a 7-day entrance permit to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. You must keep your entrance receipt to re-enter the park in the 7-day time period.
Annual or Lifetime Passes are alternatives to the above fees. All passes can be purchased or obtained at the Visitor Center Information Desk.
Park Annual Pass
Frequent visitors to Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine may want to purchase a Fort McHenry Annual Pass. This $30 pass provides entrance to pass owner and any three adults arriving in a single private non-commercial vehicle. The pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Interagency Annual Pass
The $80 Interagency Annual Pass provides entrance or access to pass owner and three (3) accompanying adults arriving in a single, private non-commercial vehicle at most federal recreation sites across the country. These sites are managed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, National Park Service, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Reclamation. It can be purchased at the Visitor Center Information Desk or online at http://store.usgs.gov/pass. The pass is valid for 12 months from date of purchase.
Interagency Senior Pass
The $10 Interagency Senior Pass (for those 62 years of age and older) is a lifetime pass available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The pass is available only in-person at the Visitor Center and from participating Federal recreation sites or offices. It provides entrance or access to pass owner and three (3) accompanying adults arriving in a single, private non-commercial vehicle.
Interagency Access Pass
This is a free lifetime pass available to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities. These activities may include caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, or working. The pass is available only in-person at the Visitor Center and from participating Federal recreation sites or offices. It provides entrance or access to pass owner and three (3) accompanying adults arriving in a single, private non-commercial vehicle.
The above Interagency Passes replace the Golden Age and Golden Access Passports. These passes will remain valid until they are lost or stolen.
Any group entering the park in a bus will be charged the regular fee of $7.00 for any adult on board. Passes may be used for entry as defined on the back of the pass for any non-commercial group visitor (scouts, clubs, churches, etc.) Passes will not be honored for those arriving as part of a commercial group (tour bus).
Academic Fee Waivers
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), Public Law 108-447, provides the National Park Service statutory authority to allow “outings conducted for non-commercial educational purposes by schools or bona fide educational institutions” to obtain a waiver of park entrance fees. A school or educational institution is defined as one which grants some type of educational credit.
In order to qualify for a waiver, a group must meet all of the following criteria:
Educational and scientific groups must submit proof of official recognition as an accredited institution by a federal, state, or local government entity. Private schools or other scientific institutions may submit documentation of tax-exempt status granted for educational purposes.
The intended trip must relate directly to the educational or scientific purpose of the visit and to the unique features and resources of Fort McHenry. The visit “shall not be primarily for recreation purposes”.
Requests from colleges or universities should also include a copy of the course description from the school’s course catalog or handbook.
The proposed trip must be sanctioned as an approved school educational activity by an authorized school official. The form must be signed by the school’s principal, department head, or other appropriate official.
How to apply:
Complete the Application For Waiver of Fees For Educational Study form and mail it, along with the criteria listed above, to:
Fee Waiver Coordinator
Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine
2400 East Fort Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21230
It can also be faxed to 410-962-2500. Either way, the application and documentation must be received at least two weeks in advance of your visit.
Call 410-962-4290, extension 225 for additional information.
