During a late summer vacation to North Carolina, my family and I had a chance to explore the Wright Brothers National Memorial with our dog. You can see Bella resting in front of the majestic Wright Memorial after a hot trek up to the top.
The Wright Brothers National Memorial is a dog-friendly site that’s operated by the National Park Service. This memorial commemorates the pioneering achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright—the first men to achieve sustained, powered flight in a heavier-than-air machine.
Located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, this landmark is part of the Outer Banks, a dog-friendly region famous for its beaches, tall sand dunes and historical significance.
Spanning an impressive 428 acres, the memorial park offers vast, open spaces where visitors can walk the paths once taken by the Wright brothers.
Note: While the park is overall dog-friendly, there are several hazards and other important information you need to be aware of. Keep reading to find out more.
Exploring the Wright Brothers National Memorial
At the center of this historic expanse stands a striking granite monument atop Big Kill Devil Hill, marking the area where the Wright Brothers once setup camp and made history. They chose this location for its steady winds and soft, sandy landing surfaces—ideal conditions for their early flight experiments.
Insiders Tip: The walk from the visitor center to the monument can feel long, especially in warmer weather. If you prefer, you can skip the walk and drive to a small parking area closer to the monument. However, you will still need to walk up a short, but steep hill to get to the top.
Visitor Center
In addition to the monument, the park features a visitor center with full-scale reproduction of the 1903 Wright Glider, along with various educational displays about the Wright Brothers’ experiments and achievements in flight. Note: Pet Dogs are not allowed in the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitors Center.
The grounds also include replicas of the brothers’ camp buildings, providing a glimpse into their life and work during their time in North Carolina. This area is just a short walk from the visitor center.
Flight enthusiasts may be particularly interested in walking the marked flight paths located just beyond the camp buildings. The memorial showcases a series of markers and reconstructed rail launch tracks that illustrate the takeoff points and landing spots of the first flights on December 17, 1903.
Each marker details a different flight, from the first 12-second flight to the fourth and longest flight, which lasted 59 seconds and covered a distance of 852 feet.
On the other side of the monument you will find a life-sized bronze sculpture capturing the historic first flight of the 1903 Wright Flyer. The sculpture features Orville Wright on the aircraft, with Wilbur Wright running alongside to stabilize the wing. Surrounding them are statues of the men from the nearby U.S. Life-Saving Station who witnessed this pivotal event.
Insider Tip: If you prefer not to walk to this area, you can drive and park nearby. The lot is small, but turnover is high as most people don’t stay longer than 10 to 15 minutes, making it relatively easy to find a parking spot.
Wright Brothers National Memorial Dog-friendliness
The memorial is overall dog-friendly, with pets allowed on the grounds as long as they are on a leash. However, they can’t enter any of the buildings. Make sure to pick up after your dog.
However, there are a few things you need to be mindful of:
Sand Spurs
The grassy areas in the park can have cactus and sand spurs, which are prickly seed plants that can easily get caught in your dog’s paws or fur. These can be painful and irritating for your pet. They are also hard to get out of the fur.
To avoid these, keep your dog on pathways and check their paws frequently for any spurs, especially after walking through grassy or sandy areas. If your dog is willing to wear booties, I highly recommend them.
Hot Pavement
During warmer months, the pavement around the memorial can get extremely hot. On the day we went it was in the high 70’s but felt much warmer due to the lack of shade in the park.
Hot pavement can be harmful to your dog’s paws, potentially causing burns or discomfort. To protect your dog, try to visit during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late afternoon. Another option is to have your dog wear foot coverings.
Limited Shade
As I just mentioned there is little shade available in the park. If visiting on warmer days, make sure to bring plenty of water for both you and your dog. Remember to take breaks often in shaded areas whenever possible.
A portable, collapsible water bowl is handy for keeping your dog hydrated.
Restricted Access
Dogs are not allowed inside the visitor center or other buildings at the memorial. This means you will need to take turns with other members of your group if you want to explore indoor exhibits.
Plan Your Visit
As you plan your visit to the Wright Brothers National Memorial with your dog, keep the safety guidelines in mind to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
- Location: 1000 North Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills 27948
- Fees: Yes, see National Park Website
This historic site offers a unique opportunity to explore aviation history while spending time outdoors with your pet.