Fort Monroe National Monument
Hampton, VA
The largest stone fort built in the US, ringed by a moat at the mouth of Hampton Roads, where enslaved people seeking freedom found refuge in 1861. The Casemate Museum is free; walls and beach are open to walk.
Fort Monroe National Monument is in Hampton, Virginia. The fort covers 63 acres (25 hectares) and is surrounded by a moat; Fodor's calls it the largest stone fort in the country. The moat was about 8 feet (2.4 m) deep and the walls up to 10 feet (3 m) thick. Building began in 1819 and the fort was completed in 1834. The whole site measures 565 acres (229 hectares).
On 27 May 1861 General Benjamin Butler ruled that enslaved people reaching Union lines would be treated as contraband of war and not returned. The fort became known as Freedom's Fortress. President Barack Obama designated parts of the fort a national monument on 1 November 2011.
The Casemate Museum, opened in 1951, covers the fort's history, especially the Civil War, with Jefferson Davis's cell and Robert E. Lee's quarters; Edgar Allan Poe was stationed here in 1828. Fodor's lists admission as free and the museum as closed on Mondays between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Check opening hours in advance.
- Nearest town
- Hampton, VA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 37.0035, -76.3085
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Newport News Park campground - F LoopCampsite18 mi from Fort Monroe National MonumentTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Newport News Park campground - E LoopCampsite18 mi from Fort Monroe National MonumentTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Newport News Park campground - D LoopCampsite18 mi from Fort Monroe National MonumentTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Newport News Park campground - C LoopCampsite18 mi from Fort Monroe National MonumentTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Newport News Park campground - B LoopCampsite19 mi from Fort Monroe National MonumentTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Virginia Beach KOA HolidayCampsite23 mi from Fort Monroe National MonumentTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Virginia · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Fort Monroe National Monument?
Fort Monroe National Monument is in Hampton, VA, at GPS 37.0035, -76.3085. It is about 11 mi from Norfolk.
Can you camp near Fort Monroe National Monument?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Colonies Recreational Vehicle and Travel Park, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 18 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Fort Monroe National Monument?
Fort Monroe National Monument is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Virginia’s Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown.
What is there to see near Fort Monroe National Monument?
Places worth a stop nearby: First Landing State Park (15 mi), Yorktown Battlefield (19 mi), Kiptopeke State Park (21 mi) and Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area (28 mi).
When is the best time to visit Fort Monroe National Monument?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)