Everyone in Maryland Should See What’s Inside the Walls of This Abandoned Fort

One thing I love about Maryland is that the state is brimming with abandoned places. Over the years, we have introduced you to many of these dilapidated locations, including spooky mansions, creepy state parks, terrifying hospitals, and ghost towns, just to name a few. But did you know that an abandoned fort in Maryland can be found in the middle of the Patapsco River?

You may have spotted Fort Carroll from the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and many passersby wonder what this hexagonal structure is, including me. After some research, I discovered that it was originally a fort, built in 1848. Once the fort was no longer deemed necessary as a defense spot for Baltimore, it was left abandoned. Today, the only inhabitants of the Historic Fort Carroll near Baltimore are migratory birds and overgrown plant life. 

Fort Carroll is a 3.4-acre man-made island designed by Brevet-Colonel Robert E. Lee and constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Its impressive architecture includes granite stairways, brick arches, 350 cannon ports, blacksmith and carpentry shops, and a house for a caretaker. And if you're wondering where the fort's name came from, here's a fun fact: It was named after Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

There's only one way to reach the area around Fort Carroll these days, and that's by kayak or canoe. However, do not attempt to reach the island by any means; instead, enjoy the views from a safe distance, as this area is the main route for large ships. Going onto the island is also considered trespassing as it's privately owned, on undeveloped land, and not open to the public.

Paddling up to the fort, the sight is surreal, as it's completely surrounded by water and offers a great view of the historic Francis Scott Key Bridge. (If you didn't know, a portion of this bridge collapsed after a cargo ship collided with it in March 2024, and reconstruction is expected to be complete in 2028.)

While most of Fort Carroll crumbles away, many of the walls and archways are in surprisingly good shape. If you can get close enough to the fort, you'll see that trees and vines have overtaken this structure, claiming it as their own. I find it quite beautiful when nature reclaims abandoned places. This neglected and historic place is a far cry from what it once was, yet somehow, there's something eerily peaceful in it all.

Abandoned places can be fascinating because they show us a slice of history. What are your thoughts on this abandoned fort in Maryland? Have you seen it before? What other abandoned places would you like us to feature? Please fill out our nomination form and let us know.

Are you fascinated by abandoned places like Historic Fort Carroll in Baltimore? Then, check out these photos of the abandoned Crownsville Hospital Center, as well as these abandoned places in Maryland And, if you'd like to read more about the most fascinating abandoned places, check out this book: Atlas of Abandoned Places: A Journey Through the World's Forgotten Wonders.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own road trip to abandoned places in Maryland using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.