Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Designation: National Historical Park
Location: Ohio
📘 Park Overview
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through perseverance and dedication Orville, Wilbur and Paul were able to overcome obstacles in their lives and leave their respective marks on history. Start your visit at one of our locations today.
🌤 Weather Information
The park lies in a humid continental zone with a generally temperate climate. Winters are mildly cold with average temperatures around 39 degrees (F). Summers are hot and humid with an average temperature around 74 degrees (F). Average annual total rainfall is just above 41". Snowfall in the winter is generally light with an average total snowfall of about 25".
🚗 Directions
Located in west-central Ohio, the park is easily accessible via I-70, I-75 or US Route 35. The main park visitor center, Wright Dunbar Interpretive Center, is located at S. Williams St. and W. Third St. in Dayton.
Images
The main entrance to the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center
Credit: NPS / Tom Engberg
A front view of the building housing The Wright Cycle Company bike shop.
Credit: NPS / Ryan Qualls
An artistic mural etched out of the red brick wall at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center entrance.
Credit: NPS / Tom Engberg
The main entrance to the Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center
Credit: NPS / Tom Engberg
The Wright Brothers Memorial at the Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center grounds.
Credit: NPS / Tom Engberg
The replica 1905 hangar at Huffman Prairie Flying Field.
Credit: NPS / Ryan Qualls
A replica catapault system similar to what the Wrights used during their trials at Huffman Prairie.
Credit: NPS / Tom Engberg
The main entrance road into Huffman Prairie Flying Field.
Credit: NPS / Tom Engberg
The Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site in Dayton, Ohio.
Credit: NPS / Tom Engberg
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Thursday, May 21
Patchy rain nearby
High: 71.2°F | Low: 49.5°F
Humidity: 68%
Wind: 13 mph
Rain Chance: 73%
UV Index: 0.6
Sunrise: 06:17 AM
Sunset: 08:50 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (24%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 51.5°F
Cloud Cover: 73%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, May 22
Heavy rain
High: 64.7°F | Low: 50.2°F
Humidity: 91%
Wind: 13.2 mph
Rain Chance: 85%
UV Index: 3
Sunrise: 06:16 AM
Sunset: 08:51 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (34%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 56.1°F
Cloud Cover: 85%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, May 23
Patchy rain nearby
High: 71.8°F | Low: 57.5°F
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 9.8 mph
Rain Chance: 89%
UV Index: 4
Sunrise: 06:15 AM
Sunset: 08:52 PM
Moon: First Quarter (45%)
Visibility: 3 mi
Dew Point: 63.1°F
Cloud Cover: 89%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Dunbar Literary Circle
Join us on the second Sunday of each month at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House and Visitor Center for a monthly literary circle. Join the discussion and share your favorite literature, poetry and creative writing projects as well as favorites that you would like to discuss as a reader. Expand your literary adventure and share the love of reading with friends and neighbors.
Date: Oct 13, 2024 12:00am to Dec 14, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Autism Awareness Day
World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on April 2nd. Established by the United Nations in 2007, its purpose is to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The day also marks the beginning of Autism Awareness Month during which many organizations focus on education and support efforts. Join us for a family night at Dayton Metro Library.
Location: Community Room in the West Branch of the Dayton Metro Library (300 Abbey Ave. Dayton OH 45417).
Date: Apr 2, 2026 12:00am to Apr 2, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
The Challenge of Flight: Special Presentation Honoring Wilbur Wright's Birthday
Born April 16, 1867, Wilbur Wright and his brother Orville achieved the world’s first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft on December 17, 1903—an achievement that launched the age of aviation.
Before that historic moment, the Wright brothers conducted years of research and experimentation from their Dayton, Ohio bicycle shop. Bicycle mechanics by trade, they designed and tested a series of gliders and conducted groundbreaking wind-tunnel experiments to better understand lift, drag, and aircraft control. Their work led to the development of wing- warping, part of a revolutionary three-axis control system that allowed pilots to steer and balance an aircraft in flight. Continued experimentation resulted in the Wright Flyer III, first successfully flown in 1905 near Dayton, Ohio, and widely considered the world’s first practical airplane capable of sustained, controlled flight. Much of this pioneering work took place in and around Dayton, Ohio, now recognized as the birthplace of aviation.
Location: WACO Air Museum – Willis Wing, 1865 South County Road 25A, Troy, Ohio 45373.
Date: Apr 16, 2026 12:00am to Apr 16, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
16 South Williams Street
Dayton, OH 45402
🏤 Mailing Address:
16 South Williams Street
Dayton, OH 45402
📞 Voice Phone: 9372257705
✉️ Email: daav_info@nps.gov