Fort Ticonderoga
Explore a Lake Champlain stronghold through ramparts, stories, and surrounding landscape.
Artwork inspired by Thomas Cole
Built by the French as Fort Carillon in the 1750s, this bastioned stronghold controlled the Lake Champlain–Lake George corridor. French, British, and American campaigns turned on its position; the 1775 capture by Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold, and their forces gave the Revolution urgently needed artillery. Today's restored fort combines collections, guided interpretation, and historic trades on a landscape much larger than its walls.
Walk the ramparts first to understand why the narrow water route mattered. General admission covers two consecutive days and Mount Defiance, a separate drive to a strategic overlook. King's Garden and living-history demonstrations open up other stories; boat cruises and premium programs may cost extra. The main visitation season runs from spring into fall, not year-round.
- Original name
- Fort Carillon
- Setting
- Lake Champlain narrows
- Ticket
- Two consecutive days
Quick guide
- Walk the ramparts
- Read the bastion geometry against the lake corridor.
- Save time for Defiance
- The separate overlook drive is included with admission.
Know before you go
- Read the walls
- Imagine the artillery fields across the water route.
- See the collection
- Link objects to daily military labor.
- Visit King's Garden
- Encounter the twentieth-century preservation chapter.
- Take the overlook
- Mount Defiance reveals the terrain shaping the 1777 campaign.
Good to know
The main fort and Mount Defiance have different addresses, and the overlook gate closes at 4:30 p.m.
Notice these
- Stone bastions
- Living history
- Mount Defiance view