Maryland's Abandoned Military Fort Is Now An Urban Park With Fishing, Graffiti, & Eerie Tunnels

Although the United States may be barely a preteen compared to its European counterparts, it's still rich with lots of interesting history. One of those places is in Baltimore, Maryland, and is the former home of Fort Armistead. Now an urban park with fishing, graffiti, and dark, underground tunnels that just might make your skin crawl if you forget a flashlight, Fort Armistead is over 100 years old, and it certainly looks the part. 

Construction on the fort began in 1897 and wrapped up in 1901. While the fort never saw any military action, it mostly served as a storage area for artillery during World War I. After the war, the fort closed, but it reopened from 1942 to 1944 during World War II. Again, it was used for storage, as the Axis powers never advanced beyond Europe's borders. However, it was built as a coastal defense base, not merely a place to store ammunition and artillery.

Similar to so many former military bases, like California's Fort Ord and its 86 miles of trails, Fort Armistead was repurposed after the war. While it may not have miles upon miles of trails, it's a great spot for a variety of activities, with scenic views, and it's fairly easy to get to. The fort is about a 20-minute drive from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, depending on traffic. It's also easily accessible by car from Washington, D.C., about an hour's drive away, and from Philadelphia, it's just over two hours to reach Fort Armistead. 

Located on Baltimore's waterfront, Fort Armistead Park offers a great view of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the haunting remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge — you know, that fella who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" — that collapsed on March 26, 2024, after being hit by a container ship. The park has lots of open spaces, some trails, and according to the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, it has a tree canopy of 39% — something to consider on sunny summer days. Although there are no food vendors on the grounds, there are picnic tables if you bring your own lunch or snacks.

If you're a fishing enthusiast, you'll find many species in the waters here, including striped bass and channel catfish. You can fish from the shore, boat, or kayak, and because this is Maryland, it's also a good place for crabbing.

One of the big selling points (depending on who you ask) at Fort Armistead is its graffiti and tunnels. While the fort may not be one of the best state parks to visit for pristine hiking adventures, its underground passageways may be even more exciting for some people. Its network of tunnels branches out, connecting old gun batteries: Battery Winchester, Battery McFarland, Battery Irons, and Battery Mudge. If you love a bit of fright, stay aware of your surroundings at all times to avoid getting lost, and don't go alone.

Although Fort Armistead was home to Starscape, an annual electronic music festival from 1999 to 2012, the park fell into further disrepair after city officials canceled the event. Because of this, it's developed a somewhat shady reputation, so don't be surprised to see lots of trash (or feral cats chasing rats) across the grounds.

It's also worth noting that while views from the park of the bay are indeed scenic, visitors report that you should exercise a good bit of caution if you choose to wander around at night. Some railings along the water and on the pier are missing, and beyond the potential for debris, there are probably better options for a night outing. 

Even if you go during the day, make sure you bring a flashlight to navigate the tunnels and keep your wits about you. As much as Fort Armistead can be a fun place to explore and certainly one of the chilling abandoned places in the U.S., if you do choose to go, have a plan in place and avoid being reckless.