Fort Fisher State Historic Site is a civil War state historic site in Kure Beach, New Hanover County, in North Carolina's Coast. Admission: from $5. Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m; Closed Sunday, Monday and designated state holidays; 2026 Sunday hours pilot program has ended. Facts read from the official site on October 27, 2026.
- Hours9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Tue–Sat)official hours below
- AdmissionFrom $5
- WhereKure BeachNew Hanover County, Coast
- DogsNot allowed
About Fort Fisher State Historic Site
Site of the Confederate earthwork fort that kept Wilmington open to blockade-runners until its fall on January 15, 1865.
- 20,000 square-foot visitor center opened October 30, 2024, with exhibit galleries and gift shop
- About half-mile Tour Trail around the fort remains
- Enterable Bombproof Shelter Exhibit and reconstructed Center Sallyport
- Battle Acre Monument and trails on the ocean side of U.S. 421
Size and length: Tour Trail about one-half mile; visitor center 20,000 sq ft
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Admission: from $5.
9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Tue–Sat)Bring The Dog?
State Historic Sites rule: animals not allowed in visitor centers, museums or historic structures unless a service animal; outdoor-grounds pet policy not stated on the…
Full rule belowMake It a Day
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is about 1 mile away (straight line).
4 places within 30 miles
Fort Fisher State Historic Site Hours
Hours in a day
- OpenTue–Sat9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Days of the week today is outlined
- Closed Sunday, Monday and designated state holidays
Bars that fade start at sunrise or end at sunset or dark, which move with the season. The full hours, word for word, are in the list below.
- Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Closed Sunday, Monday and designated state holidays
- 2026 Sunday hours pilot program has ended
Hours source: official site, read October 27, 2026.
Admission and Parking
- Above the Scenes Tour (90 min, includes climb)$10.00
- Standard Tour (45 min outdoor)$5.00
The first price on each official line (where online and gate prices differ, the line below says which). Read October 27, 2026.
- General admission is free; donations welcome
- Standard Tour (45 min outdoor): $5 adult, $4 seniors 65+ and military, $1 children 3-17, plus sales tax
- Above the Scenes Tour (90 min, includes climb): $10 per person plus sales tax
- Tours bought on-site at the first-floor Information Desk; no advance booking; depend on staffing and weather (call 910-251-7351)
Directions and Contact
- Address: 1610 Ft. Fisher Blvd. South
- Phone: 910-251-7351
- Map point: 33.97226,-77.91666, from the US Census geocoder on the official address. Directions in Google Maps
- Official site: historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/fort-fisher/plan-your-visit
Dogs and Accessibility
- Dogs: State Historic Sites rule: animals not allowed in visitor centers, museums or historic structures unless a service animal; outdoor-grounds pet policy not stated on the Fort Fisher page.
- Accessibility: Visitor center and restrooms fully ADA-compliant; tour trail is handicapped-accessible except the restored gun emplacements.
Near Fort Fisher State Historic Site
- 1North Carolina Aquarium at Fort FisherAquarium (Closed for Renovation)under 1 mi
- 2Fort Fisher State Recreation AreaState Recreation Areaabout 1 mi
- 3Carolina Beach State ParkState Parkabout 5 mi
- 4Battleship North CarolinaMuseum Ship and Memorialabout 18 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Coming Up in Kure Beach
None of the events on our checked calendar name Kure Beach right now. The venue's own site lists every show. See every North Carolina event we have checked.
Also see Coast events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Fort Fisher State Historic Site cost?
From $5. General admission is free; donations welcome; Standard Tour (45 min outdoor): $5 adult, $4 seniors 65+ and military, $1 children 3-17, plus sales tax; Above the Scenes Tour (90 min, includes climb): $10 per person plus sales tax
What are the hours at Fort Fisher State Historic Site?
Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Closed Sunday, Monday and designated state holidays.
Can I bring a dog to Fort Fisher State Historic Site?
State Historic Sites rule: animals not allowed in visitor centers, museums or historic structures unless a service animal; outdoor-grounds pet policy not stated on the Fort Fisher page.
What We Could Not Verify
- Parking details not published on pages read
- Outdoor pet policy specific to Fort Fisher not published (statewide site rules cover indoor spaces)
- Hours and prices change; check the official site the day you go.
Sources
Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Fort Fisher State Historic Site”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places-to-go-in-north-carolina/fort-fisher-state-historic-site/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.