Long before Jamestown or Plymouth, English colonists tried to settle on Roanoke Island. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site preserves the place where they landed, a quiet woodland on the northern end of the island near Manteo. In 1585 a military expedition built a fortified outpost here, and in 1587 about 115 settlers arrived to begin a more permanent colony. On 18 August 1587, Virginia Dare was born, the first English child born in the Americas. A few days later, the governor, John White, sailed back to England for supplies. Delayed by war with Spain, he did not return until 1590, and by then the colonists had vanished, leaving only the word CROATOAN carved on a post. What happened to the Lost Colony remains one of America’s oldest mysteries, and the site is the best place to explore it.
What you see
A small earthwork fort, reconstructed from archaeological evidence, stands in the forest as the focal point. The visitor center has exhibits on the Roanoke voyages, the Algonquian people who lived here, the scientist Thomas Harriot and the artist John White, whose watercolours are some of the earliest images of Native American life in the Americas.
A short film sets the scene, and rangers lead walks and talks through the year. Trails wind through the woods toward the sound, including a nature trail named for Harriot, and there is a memorial to Virginia Dare. Admission to the site is generally free, though parking and some programmes may differ, so check the National Park Service website.
Linked sights
The Waterside Theatre, home of the outdoor drama The Lost Colony, is within the park, and the Elizabethan Gardens next door are a separate paid attraction. The North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island and the town of Manteo are close by, and Roanoke Island Festival Park offers living history aboard a replica ship.
Together they make a rich day of colonial history, nature and entertainment. Evening visitors can combine the afternoon at the fort with the play at the theatre, which brings the story to dramatic life. Bring insect repellent in summer, because the woods are shady and humid.
Planning
Allow ninety minutes to two hours, longer if you join a ranger talk. The site is open daily with seasonal hours, and the visitor center closes on a few holidays. The paths are flat and accessible, which suits older travellers and families with strollers. Roanoke Island sits between the northern beaches and Hatteras Island, so it is easy to fit in on a rainy day or as a break from the sand.
If the story of the missing colonists grabs you, read about the theories before you go: assimilation with local tribes, relocation inland, or disaster. The mystery is unsolved, and that is the attraction.
Deeper context
The 1585 expedition was led by Ralph Lane and sent by Sir Walter Raleigh, and it included scientist Thomas Harriot and artist John White, whose maps and paintings are an important record of the Algonquian people. Relations with the local community soured, and the first colonists returned to England in 1586. The 1587 group, which included families, were meant to settle farther north in the Chesapeake but were left on Roanoke Island by their captain. Their fate is still debated, and archaeologists continue to search for clues, which keeps the site feeling alive.
What to expect
The experience
A national historic site with a reconstructed earthwork fort, a visitor center, exhibits and woodland trails.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon, and spring or autumn for comfortable walking.
How long
Ninety minutes to two hours.
Tips
Check hours and ranger talks, bring repellent in summer, and pair the visit with the evening play in season.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History fans and families interested in the Lost Colony mystery.
- Families
- Short trails and the story of the vanished colonists engage school-age children.
- Couples
- A calm, shady afternoon before dinner in Manteo.
- Pair with
- The Lost Colony outdoor drama and the North Carolina Aquarium.
- Time needed
- Ninety minutes to two hours.
Good questions
What was the Lost Colony?+
It was the 1587 English settlement on Roanoke Island whose colonists had vanished by the time the governor returned in 1590, leaving only the word CROATOAN carved on a post.
Who was Virginia Dare?+
She was the first English child born in the Americas, on 18 August 1587 on Roanoke Island.
Is the site free?+
Entry to the historic site is generally free. Check the National Park Service page for current information.
Where is the outdoor drama?+
The Waterside Theatre, home to The Lost Colony, is in the park.
How long should I allow?+
Ninety minutes to two hours.