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National Historic Site · North Carolina

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

National Historic Site in North Carolina. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Historic Site
StateNorth Carolina
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkShenandoah (231 mi)
Closest airportORF (72 mi)

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in North Carolina.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. The grounds are open for visitation 24 hours a day.

Getting there

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

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) Norfolk, VA No road route 72 Large hub
Newport News Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) Newport News, VA No road route 93 Regional
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) New Bern, NC No road route 95 Regional

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

Weather

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 231 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site?

No entrance fee.

Where is Fort Raleigh National Historic Site?

In North Carolina. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Norfolk International Airport, about 72 miles away.

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