Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Designation: National Historic Site
Location: North Carolina
š 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.
š¤ 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.
š Directions
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is located on the northern end of Roanoke Island, north of the town of Manteo, NC.
Images
Commemorating the Roanoke Island Freedmen's Colony
Credit: NPS Photo
Venture through a maritime forest
Credit: NPS Photo
Shards unearthed here provide clues to the English expedition of 1585
Credit: NPS Photo
Home of The Lost Colony drama performed every summer
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Tuesday, Jul 21
Sunny
High: 88.3Ā°F | Low: 78.4Ā°F
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 25.3 mph
Rain Chance: 57%
UV Index: 10.3
Sunrise: 06:02 AM
Sunset: 08:16 PM
Moon: First Quarter (53%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 78.9Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 57%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Jul 22
Light rain shower
High: 83.1Ā°F | Low: 79.6Ā°F
Humidity: 83%
Wind: 24.8 mph
Rain Chance: 83%
UV Index: 8.5
Sunrise: 06:02 AM
Sunset: 08:15 PM
Moon: First Quarter (64%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 77.4Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 83%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Jul 23
Light rain shower
High: 81.1Ā°F | Low: 72.9Ā°F
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 22.6 mph
Rain Chance: 89%
UV Index: 1.9
Sunrise: 06:03 AM
Sunset: 08:15 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (74%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 74.3Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 89%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Small Craft Advisory issued July 20 at 2:25PM EDT until July 23 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Effective: Jul 20, 2026 2:25pm
Expires: Jul 21, 2026 5:00am
* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 kt with a few gusts up to 35 kt
and seas 4 to 6 ft expected.
* WHERE...The coastal waters from Duck to Oregon Inlet.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Tuesday to 11 AM EDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Small Craft Advisory issued July 20 at 2:25PM EDT until July 23 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Effective: Jul 20, 2026 2:25pm
Expires: Jul 21, 2026 5:00am
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and
rough waters expected.
* WHERE...Albemarle, Croatan, and Roanoke Sounds and the
Alligator River.
* WHEN...From 2 PM Tuesday to 5 AM EDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Park Alerts
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 Englandās 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 Englandās 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 Freedmenās 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 Freedmenās 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 Lost Colony- Walking Tour
Delve into the history and mystery surrounding Englandās 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: May 12, 2026 12:00am to May 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
The Lost Colony- Walking Tour
Delve into the history and mystery surrounding Englandās 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: May 19, 2026 12:00am to May 19, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Dramatic Arts at Fort Raleigh
Dive into the history of art at Fort Raleigh through the history of the Waterside Theater and the Lost Colony Drama, a story 89 years in the making.Ā
Location: Meet in front of the Fort Raleigh Visitor Center
Date: Jun 8, 2026 12:00am to Jun 8, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
š Physical Address:
1500 Fort Raleigh Road
Manteo, NC 27954
š¤ Mailing Address:
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954
š Voice Phone: 2524732111
āļø Email: caha_public_affairs@nps.gov