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Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Designation: National Historic Site

Location: North Carolina

Visit Official Park Website

šŸ“˜ Park Overview

Amongst the shallow blue waters of the Outer Banks lies Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island. Shaped by constant winds of change, Fort Raleigh has become a focal point of American history. From the first Algonquian-speaking people to the first English colonies, from formerly enslaved people starting anew to an inventor testing new radio technology, this island continues to be a place to forge new paths.

🌤 Weather Information

Weather on the Outer Banks varies seasonally and daily. Please check the National Weather Service at http://www.weather.gov/mhx/ for up-to-date weather forecast information.

šŸš— Directions

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is located on the northern end of Roanoke Island, north of the town of Manteo, NC.

Images

Back of the monument commemorating the Roanoke Island Freedmen's Colony

Commemorating the Roanoke Island Freedmen's Colony

Credit: NPS Photo

Tree standing next to the maritime forest path of the Thomas Hariot Trail

Venture through a maritime forest

Credit: NPS Photo

Pieces of a crucible left behind by the 1585 English expedition

Shards unearthed here provide clues to the English expedition of 1585

Credit: NPS Photo

Stage of the Waterside Theatre with a view of the Roanoke Sound in the background

Home of The Lost Colony drama performed every summer

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Saturday, May 9

Moderate rain

Moderate rain

High: 74.1°F | Low: 59.9°F

Humidity: 84%

Wind: 18.6 mph

Rain Chance: 84%

UV Index: 5.7

Sunrise: 06:02 AM

Sunset: 07:57 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (59%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 62.5°F

Cloud Cover: 84%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, May 10

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 71.5°F | Low: 64.9°F

Humidity: 88%

Wind: 12.5 mph

Rain Chance: 89%

UV Index: 3.2

Sunrise: 06:01 AM

Sunset: 07:58 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (49%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 64.9°F

Cloud Cover: 89%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Monday, May 11

Moderate rain

Moderate rain

High: 70.2°F | Low: 57.9°F

Humidity: 90%

Wind: 26.2 mph

Rain Chance: 79%

UV Index: 7.3

Sunrise: 06:00 AM

Sunset: 07:58 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (39%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 62°F

Cloud Cover: 79%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Waterside Theatre Temporarily Closed Park Closure
The Waterside Theatre is temporarily closed, due to a roofing project. Once the project is completed, the area will reopen.
The park will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3; airport opening on Feb. 4 Park Closure
Wright Brothers National Memorial will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3. The First Flight Airport is scheduled to open on Wednesday, February 4.

More Info

Park Events

Island History Program

Delve into the history of Roanoke Island at Fort Raleigh with a ranger program on one of the two stories of the site. The program will either be on the English colonization of Roanoke Island, including the disappearance of the Lost Colony, or it will be on the Freedmen's Colony and Battle of Roanoke Island during the Civil War. Ranger's will choose the program at the beginning of each day.Ā 

Location: Meet in the plaza outside the Lindsay Warren Visitor Center.

Date: Jan 5, 2026 12:00am to Jan 5, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

The Lost Colony- Walking Tour

Delve into the history and mystery surrounding England’s first attempt to establish a colony in the new world. This easy walk follows paved sidewalks and is .25 miles in length.

Location: Meet in the plaza outside the Lindsay Warren Visitor Center.

Date: Apr 19, 2026 12:00am to Apr 19, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

The Lost Colony- Walking Tour

Delve into the history and mystery surrounding England’s first attempt to establish a colony in the new world. This easy walk follows paved sidewalks and is .25 miles in length.

Location: Meet in the plaza outside the Lindsay Warren Visitor Center.

Date: Apr 19, 2026 12:00am to Apr 19, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

The Freedmen's Colony - The Civil War on Roanoke

During the American Civil War, Roanoke Island became a haven for formerly enslaved people. Discover the successes and failures of the Freedmen’s Colony and the Civil War battle that shaped it. This is a 25-minute program beginning in front of the visitor center.Ā 

Location: The program meets in front of the Fort Raleigh Visitor Center.

Date: Apr 19, 2026 12:00am to Apr 19, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

The Freedmen's Colony - The Civil War on Roanoke

During the American Civil War, Roanoke Island became a haven for formerly enslaved people. Discover the successes and failures of the Freedmen’s Colony and the Civil War battle that shaped it. This is a 25-minute program beginning in front of the visitor center.Ā 

Location: The program meets in front of the Fort Raleigh Visitor Center.

Date: Apr 19, 2026 12:00am to Apr 19, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

šŸ“ Physical Address:
1500 Fort Raleigh Road
Manteo, NC 27954

šŸ¤ Mailing Address:
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

šŸ“ž Voice Phone: 2524732111

āœ‰ļø Email: caha_public_affairs@nps.gov

Park Location


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