Wright Brothers National Memorial
NC

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Hours

Open daily · 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance Fee

$10.00

Entrance - Per Person

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Wright Brothers National Memorial at a glance

Best time
March–May, October–November
Trip length
2–4 hours to 1 day
Don't miss
Attend a Ranger Program
Nearby city
Kill Devil Hills, NC

Explore this park

About 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.

No current NPS alerts

The National Park Service has no active alerts listed for Wright Brothers National Memorial. Conditions change quickly — check again before you go.

Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 4, 2026). Official Wright Brothers National Memorial page on nps.gov

Weather Information

Weather on the Outer Banks varies seasonally and daily.

  • Summer

    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!

Entrance Fees

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

$100.00

Fees charged for commercial vehicles with a capacity of over 26 individuals.

Commercial Entrance - Van

$40.00

A flat fee for all Van/ Small Bus with a seating capacity of 7-16 passengers

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus

$40.00

Fee is charged for any commercial vehicle with a capacity of 16-25 individuals.

Commercial Entrance - Sedan

$25.00

$25 plus $7 per person. Sedans have a capacity of 1-6 people.

Entrance - Per Person

$10.00

Fee is charged per-person, NOT per vehicle. Ages 15 and younger are free of charge.

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

Free

Structured educational visits that serve a curriculum need for a class may apply for a waiver for entrance fees in advance.

Operating Hours

Hours of Operation

These are the times the park grounds and visitor center are open for visitors.

  • Monday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Tuesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Wednesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Thursday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Friday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Saturday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Sunday9:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

$35.00

Admits the passholder and up to 3 additional individuals ages 16 and up.

Common questions

Planning Wright Brothers National Memorial

The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics.

Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Wright Brothers National Memorial. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.