Wright Brothers National Memorial

National Memorial · NC · nps.gov page

Orville takes to the air in the flyer for the first time as Wilbur assists. — Orville takes to the air in the flyer for the first time on December 17, 1903.Photo: Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and John Daniels

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.

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News

Operational Updates for Oct. 19 at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial 2026-10-18
On Oct. 19 at 9 a.m., Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial will reopen to the public. A number of facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore will also reopen.
National Park Service Announces Weather-Related Closures at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial 2026-10-17
Due to forecasted strong winds and coastal impacts, the campgrounds, off-road vehicle ramps and visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, along with Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial, will close by 12 p.m. on Oct. 17. Reopening will begin after conditions improve and post-storm assessments are complete.

Photos

Copper busts of the two brothers with the moon visible in the blue sky. — Copper busts of Wilbur and Orville Wright stand atop Big Kill Devil Hill.Photo: NPS Photo

The large boulder and plaque sit where the Wright brothers first flew in their 1903 flyer. — This boulder marks the spot where the Wright brothers first flew in their 1903 flyer.Photo: NPS Photo

Visitors walk along the flight line where Wilbur and Orville Wright flew and landed. — Visitors explore the landing spots of the Wright brothers' first flights.Photo: NPS Photo

View straight up at the monument with the Sun directly behind the stonework. — Black-and-white image of the Wright Brothers MonumentPhoto: NPS Photo

Two young girls look across the grounds of Wright Brothers National Memorial. — Visitors enjoy celebrating aviation where modern aviation was born.Photo: NPS Photo

Visitors moving along a sidewalk to the top of the hill where the monument stands. — Visitors climb Big Kill Devil Hill to visit the Wright Brothers Monument.Photo: NPS Photo

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.