Wright Brothers National Memorial
Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane flights on December 17, 1903. With courage and perseverance, these self-taught engineers relied on teamwork and application of the scientific process. What they achieved changed our world forever.
About 1.5 hours from Virginia Beach by car.
Fees & passes
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Per PersonFee is charged per-person, NOT per vehicle. Ages 15 and younger are free of charge. | $10 | |
| Education/Academic GroupsStructured educational visits that serve a curriculum need for a class may apply for a waiver for entrance fees in advance. | Free | |
| Commercial tours · by vehicle capacity | ||
| Sedan$25 plus $7 per person. Sedans have a capacity of 1-6 people. | $25 | |
| VanA flat fee for all Van/ Small Bus with a seating capacity of 7-16 passengers | $40 | |
| Mini-busFee is charged for any commercial vehicle with a capacity of 16-25 individuals. | $40 | |
| Motor CoachFees charged for commercial vehicles with a capacity of over 26 individuals. | $100 | |
| Passes | ||
| Annual Entrance - ParkAdmits the passholder and up to 3 additional individuals ages 16 and up. | $35 | |
Entrance Fees to Wright Brothers National Memorial are charged per person 16 years or older, for all methods of entry including vehicle, walking, and airplane. Fees can only be paid at the automated fee machines in the visitor center parking area or in advance at www.recreation.gov.
Hours
| Hours of Operation | Daily · 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
Hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hoursNow | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Dec 25, 2026Christmas Day | Closed |
When to go
July draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Visitor centers
- Wright Brothers Visitor Center and Museum ↗Passport stamp
The visitor center at Wright Brothers National Memorial is the best place to start your visit to the national park. The visitor center offers trip planning information, a park store, and detailed hands-on exhibits that bring the invention of the Wright Brothers to life.
Explore
Things to do
- Attend a Ranger Program0-1 Hours
Attend one of the programs offered at Wright Brothers National Memorial
Opens on the Park Service site - Fly a kite like Wilbur and Orville!
Fly a kite just like the Wright Brothers.
Opens on the Park Service site - Walk to the Monument
Explore Big Kill Devil Hill and climb to Wright Brothers Monument.
Opens on the Park Service site - Take a Selfie with Orville and Wilbur
Visit the sculpture recreating the events of December 17, 1903 and the first, manned, powered, heavier-than-air flight here in Kitty Hawk, NC.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- Wind and Sand10/1411:00 AM · runs through Oct 31 · freeMeet on the back patio of the Visitor Center.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Sam's DinerBuilding · Kill Devil Hills · 1.9 mi
- Kitty Hawk Life-Saving StationBuilding · Kitty Hawk · 3.7 mi
- Mattie Midgett Store and HouseBuilding · Nags Head · 4.9 mi
- Adam Dough Etheridge HouseBuilding · Manteo · 6.2 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for North Carolina's national parks and the South
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Local history books for Wright Brothers National Memorial
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Weather & climate
Weather on the Outer Banks varies seasonally and daily. Summers can be very hot and sunny (wear sunscreen and drink water), while winters can be cold and wet. High winds are always a possibility any time of the year. It is not uncommon for a brief winter snow each year. Being on a barrier island, the memorial is susceptible to storm impacts, including hurricanes in the summer and nor'easters in the winter. No matter what time of year you visit, dress for the weather, and be ready for wind!
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Wright Brothers?
Entrance is $10 per person on foot or bike. Fee is charged per-person, NOT per vehicle.
Source: National Park Service
Which passes work at Wright Brothers?
The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here, and a Wright Brothers-only annual pass is $35.
Source: Is the pass worth it
Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?
No. Wright Brothers takes cards only at the entrance.
Source: National Park Service
When is entrance to Wright Brothers free?
Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.
Source: Free entrance days
Do I need a reservation to enter Wright Brothers?
No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Wright Brothers. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at Wright Brothers?
Standard hours are 9:00AM - 5:00PM, every day. Dated exceptions are listed under Hours.
Source: National Park Service
How busy is Wright Brothers?
341,576 recreation visits in 2025, number 140 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Wright Brothers?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
When was Wright Brothers established?
1931.
Source: Wikipedia
What is the weather like at Wright Brothers?
Weather on the Outer Banks varies seasonally and daily. Summers can be very hot and sunny (wear sunscreen and drink water), while winters can be cold and wet.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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