Fort Pulaski National Monument

P. O. Box 30757
Savannah, GA 31410

Phone
Visitor Information
(912) 786-5787

Explore A Turning Point in Military History

The Battle of Fort Pulaski in April 1862 marked a turning point in military history. It featured the first significant use of rifled cannons in combat. These accurate, long-range weapons shattered Fort Pulaski's walls from over a mile away. After thirty-hours of bombardment, the fort surrendered. The battle surprised military strategists worldwide, signaling the end of masonry fortifications.

Directions:

From I- 95, take exit for I-16 about 15 miles west of Savannah. From I-16, take U.S. Highway 80 East. Follow signs for Fort Pulaski, Tybee Island and beaches. Fort Pulaski National Monument entrance is approximately 15 miles east of Savannah.

Things to Do

Fort Pulaski National Monument offers visitors the chance to experience many interesting and exciting activities year-round. Fort Pulaski itself is a large-scale outdoor exhibit. The main structure, together with outlying works including demilune, drawbridges, ditches, and dikes, is a fine example of historic military architecture.

Indoor exhibits highlight the history of Fort Pulaski from the fort's construction, to its eventual fall due to advancing military technology.

Places to Go

Picnic Area
Come enjoy Fort Pulaski National Monument's picnic grounds. Both covered and outdoor area let you and your family sit back and relax on beautiful Cockspur Island.

Battery Hambright
Explore Battery Hambright, built to protect the entrance of the Savannah River in the late 19th century during the Spanish-American War

John Wesley Memorial
Landing on Cockspur Island in 1736, John Wesley is said to have preached his first sermon in the new world nearby. Today, a monument stands to honor his passing through Cockspur Island.

Visitor Center
Start your visit at the park visitor center. See the park film "The Battle for Fort Pulaski," and learn more about Fort Pulaski through the park's displays and collections.

Construction Village
Look closely for remnants of Fort Pulaski's construction village used from the late 1820s through the 1880s. You can view the ruins of ovens, cisterns, and other stonework dispersed along the park trails.

Cemetery
View the small cemetery located next to Fort Pulaski. The final resting spot of several soldiers from the early to mid-19th century.

Outdoor Activities

We hope your visit is the experience of a lifetime. Whatever your interest—sight­seeing, hiking, kayaking, bicycling, exploring, history, nature study, or photography— you will find Fort Pulaski National Monument like no other place.

Fort Pulaski offers an abundance of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and bird watching. Fishing is allowed along the banks of the Savannah River on and around Cockspur Island, including the use of the Cockspur Island Bridge after hours. You must possess a valid fishing license issued by the State of Georgia.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy exploring several nature trails throughout Fort Pulaski National Monument. Selected trails include:

North Pier Trail
This trail guides visitors through a scenic wooded environment and passes through remnants of Fort Pulaski's original construction village. Battery Hambright, built in the late 19th Century, and the historic north pier highlight this 1/4 mile trail.

Lighthouse Overlook Trail
The Lighthouse Overlook Trail guides visitors along open marsh as well as a forested environment offering views of the Savannah River, and Tybee Island. The 3/4 mile trail also offers the island's best views of the historic Cockspur Island Lighthouse.

Historic Dike System
Designed by Lt. Robert E. Lee, the historic dike system allowed for tide control and drainage which aided in the construction of Fort Pulaski. The two mile length trail circles Fort Pulaski, offering visitors unparalleled views of Cockspur Island and the Savannah River.

McQueens Island Rails to Trails
Located on McQueens Island at the entrance to Fort Pulaski National Monument, this six- mile trail follows the path of the old Tybee rail line that once connected Savannah to the beaches of Tybee Island. The packed-gravel trail is open to bikers, runners, and walkers.

Did You Know?
A young Robert E. Lee worked as a member of the United States Army Corps of Engineers upon graduation from West Point, and was instrumental in planning and preparing for the construction of Fort Pulaski.