Fort Monroe National Monument has a varied environment. There are historic structures, urban areas, and beaches. Pay attention to safety for an enjoyable visit.
Precautions
Watch your step.
- Much of Fort Monroe is on level ground with sidewalks. Still look out for uneven or loose pavement, tree roots, stumps, and other tripping hazards.
- Visitor may go to the upper tier of the stone fort. Stay off the very top parts of the fort walls. Tall grasses make trip hazards hard to see. The walls drop off sharply into the moat.
- Use care crossing streets and intersections. Use crosswalks and crossing signals. Look both ways even on one-way streets.
Keep your car locked with valuables out of sight.Stay out of areas boarded up, fenced off, or marked off limits.
Do not feed animals. If you see a sick or dead animal, do not touch it. Contact City of Hampton's Animal Response Team.
Ticks and mosquitoes are abundant. Use insect repellent.
Beaches
- Be alert for strong currents, riptides, powerful waves, and underwater obstacles.
- Only Outlook Beach has lifeguards. They are duty only from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- When wading it is advised to never turn your back to the bay.
- Be wary of too much sun exposure and to remember to use sunscreen.
- Glass containers and metal detectors are prohibited.
- Sand collapses easily. Digging holes deeper than knee deep are prohibited.
- Rock jetties are dangerous. The rocks are jagged, slippery, have big gaps, and may shift. Avoid the rocks. Do not climb on or around them.
Roads & Traffic
- Entrance gates to the stone fort are one lane only. Follow the traffic signals to avoid accidents.
- Dim lighting inside the gates makes pedestrians and bicyclists difficult to see.
Bicycles
- The City of Hampton requires every person under 14 years of age to wear a helmet while on a bicycle.
- Bicycle only on public roadways or designated bicycle paths. Follow all traffic rules.
