If you’re looking for an Outer Banks experience that blends history, nature, and family-friendly adventure, make time to explore Fort Raleigh National Historic Site during your next OBX vacation. Located just outside the town of Manteo on Roanoke Island, this free, year-round park managed by the National Park Service commemorates one of America’s most fascinating mysteries: the disappearance of 117 men, women, and children who made up the first English colony in the New World.
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What Happened at Fort Raleigh?
In the late 1500s, three voyages sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh attempted to establish a permanent settlement on Roanoke Island. The final group, including the newborn Virginia Dare, vanished without a trace, giving rise to the enduring legend of The Lost Colony. Today, Fort Raleigh preserves the remnants of this early settlement and continues to honor the island’s layered history, from its Indigenous roots to its role in the Civil War and beyond.
What to Do at Fort Raleigh
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site offers a surprising number of attractions for such a peaceful, wooded space:
- Visitor Center & Exhibits: Start at the Lindsay Warren Visitor Center, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., where you can view immersive exhibits and a short film highlighting early interactions between Algonquian people and English colonists.
- Earthen Fort: Visit the reconstructed earthen fort and see archaeological evidence from the 1585 expedition, including copper and furnace materials.
- Freedom Trail: Hike this 2.5-mile round-trip wooded trail leading to the western edge of the island. Along the way, visit the site of the historic Freedmen’s Colony, established as a safe haven for African Americans during the Civil War.
- Thomas Hariot Trail: This shorter 0.3-mile loop explores maritime forest and Algonquian food-gathering traditions.
- First Light of Freedom Monument: Learn about the Freedmen Colony, a remarkable effort to educate and empower the formerly enslaved during Reconstruction.
- Waterside Theatre: Catch a live showing of The Lost Colony, an outdoor drama written by Paul Green that’s been performed every summer since 1937. It’s the longest-running outdoor symphonic drama in the U.S.
- Elizabethan Gardens: Adjacent to the theater, this 10-acre garden was designed to reflect the style of early English landscapes and is a peaceful retreat while visiting the fort.
Events You Won’t Want to Miss
In addition to the summer-long Lost Colony performance, the site also hosts the annual Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival, an indulgent fall weekend of fine food, wine tastings, and live music.
Tips and Local Insights for Visiting Fort Raleigh
- It’s free! There are no entrance fees, and the grounds are open 24/7.
- Bring comfortable shoes, the Freedom Trail and other walking paths are worth exploring.
- Check event schedules before your visit if you’re hoping to catch a ranger-led tour or performance.
- Pack a picnic for Etheridge Point, where you can relax on the sound and enjoy sweeping views of the Outer Banks.
- Secure a fishing license so you can cast a line during your visit. You can get one at gov/fishing.
Plan Your Outer Banks Stay with Paramount Destinations
Ready to experience the stories that shaped the Outer Banks? Fort Raleigh is just one of many unforgettable stops you can explore when you stay with Paramount Destinations. As a local company, we know the area inside and out, and we’re here to help you make the most of your trip. Browse our vacation homes in Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, and Nags Head, and book directly with us to secure the best prices on your stay as well as service that keeps people coming back year after year.
