Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was designated as the nation's first
national marine sanctuary. It protects the wreck of the famed Civil War
ironclad USS Monitor, and the sanctuary works with partners to honor and
interpret it for the American people. Although the wreckage is not easily
accessible, visitors can still enjoy this historical site by diving below the
surface (must have a permit) or interacting with exhibits related to this time
in history.

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was designated as the nation's first national marine sanctuary. It protects the wreck of the famed Civil War ironclad USS Monitor, and the sanctuary works with partners to honor and interpret it for the American people. Although the wreckage is not easily accessible, visitors can still enjoy this historical site by diving below the surface (must have a permit) or interacting with exhibits related to this time in history.

A full-sized replica of the USS Monitor can be seen at the The Mariners' Museum, the official visitor center for Monitor NMS, in Newport News, Virginia.

The Monitor's turret breaks the surface of the water for the first time in 140 years.

NOAA diver on the wreck site of the USS Monitor

A diver explores Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

Historic image of the USS Monitor crew taken July 9, 1862, while the ship was docked on the James River in Virginia. The Monitor, a Civil War ironclad, is famous for fighting the CSS Virginia in the Battle of Hampton Road and for changing naval warfare forever.

The remains of two Monitor sailors found inside the turret in 2002 were buried at Arlington National Cemetery on March 8, 2013.

In 2002, U.S. Navy divers prepared the turret for lift. As the turret was excavated, the remains of two sailors were found inside.

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians
occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first
enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escaping slavery sought their freedom
at the fort during the Civil War. The fort remained bastion of national
defense until 2011, when it became a national park.

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escaping slavery sought their freedom at the fort during the Civil War. The fort remained bastion of national defense until 2011, when it became a national park.

Bird's eye view of the park

Fort Monroe National Monument

Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge encompasses the largest contiguous
salt marsh ecosystem in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Located along the Atlantic
Flyway, the refuge offers diverse salt marshes, tidal streams, and wooded
ridges that support fish, waterfowl, marsh and wading birds, and shorebirds.
Serene shorelines offer secluded habitat for breeding and nesting wildlife,
including the northern diamondback terrapin.

The refuge offers a rare opportunity for residents and visitors of the Hampton
Roads area to safely enjoy expansive views of abundant wildlife thriving in
these important, vulnerable, and scarce salt marshes. In partnership with
others, the refuge’s wildlife habitats support the rich traditions of hunting,
fishing, and boating in the Chesapeake Bay.

Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge encompasses the largest contiguous salt marsh ecosystem in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Located along the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge offers diverse salt marshes, tidal streams, and wooded ridges that support fish, waterfowl, marsh and wading birds, and shorebirds. Serene shorelines offer secluded habitat for breeding and nesting wildlife, including the northern diamondback terrapin.The refuge offers a rare opportunity for residents and visitors of the Hampton Roads area to safely enjoy expansive views of abundant wildlife thriving in these important, vulnerable, and scarce salt marshes. In partnership with others, the refuge’s wildlife habitats support the rich traditions of hunting, fishing, and boating in the Chesapeake Bay.

Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge

Discover what it took for the United States to be independent as you explore
the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Here at Yorktown,
in the fall of 1781, General George Washington, with allied American and
French forces, besieged General Charles Lord Cornwallis’s British army. On
October 19, Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the war and ensuring
independence.

Discover what it took for the United States to be independent as you explore the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.  Here at Yorktown, in the fall of 1781, General George Washington, with allied American and French forces, besieged General Charles Lord Cornwallis’s British army.  On October 19, Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the war and ensuring independence.

Yorktown Battlefield Part of Colonial National Historical Park

On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English
settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia
Indian and African–to create a new society that would eventually seek
independence from Great Britain. On October 19, 1781, American and French
troops defeated the British at Yorktown in the last major battle of the
American Revolutionary War.

On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that would eventually seek independence from Great Britain. On October 19, 1781, American and French troops defeated the British at Yorktown in the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Colonial National Historical Park

Bird's eye view of the campground

Cabins

Campground A

Campground B

Campground B - Yurts

Hunts

Shelters

Chippokes State Park

Walk in the steps of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas where a successful
English colonization of North America began. Despite early struggles to
survive, the 1607 settlement evolved into a prosperous colony. As the colony
expanded, the Virginia Indians were pushed out of their homeland. In 1619, the
arrival of Africans was recorded, marking the origin of slavery in English
North America.

Walk in the steps of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas where a successful English colonization of North America began. Despite early struggles to survive, the 1607 settlement evolved into a prosperous colony. As the colony expanded, the Virginia Indians were pushed out of their homeland. In 1619, the arrival of Africans was recorded, marking the origin of slavery in English North America.

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

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Nearby Parks

Fort Monroe National Monument

Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge

Yorktown Battlefield Part of Colonial National Historical Park

Colonial National Historical Park

Chippokes State Park

Historic Jamestowne Part of Colonial National Historical Park

Machicomoco State Park