The first-order Fresnel lens is visible in the lantern room of the Bodie Island Lighthouse.
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National Seashore
28 Activities

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

NC

A young girl paddles across the water with the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse visible in the distance.
Black and white painting of the brick Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Two kids play in the sand.

Park Alerts (1)

Beach closure in place in front of Buxton Village: The entire beachfront in front of Buxton Village is temporarily closed to public entry due to the presence of threatened oceanfront structures.

About Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually.

Whether you are enjoying the beach, kayaking the sound, or climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse there is something for everyone to explore!

Available Activities

Auto and ATV
Auto Off-Roading
Astronomy
Stargazing
Camping
Car or Front Country Camping
Group Camping
RV Camping
Fishing
Saltwater Fishing
Food
Picnicking
Hiking
Hunting and Gathering
Hunting
Paddling
Canoeing
Kayaking
Junior Ranger Program
Snorkeling
Surfing
Swimming
Saltwater Swimming
Wildlife Watching
Birdwatching
Museum Exhibits
Shopping
Bookstore and Park Store

Weather

The weather along the Outer Banks varies throughout the year and even throughout the day. Please check the National Weather Service information at http://www.weather.

gov/mhx/ for forecast information.

Getting There

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located along NC-12 in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. You can reach the seashore from the north by following US 158 to Nag Heads, NC and the turn-off to NC-12 and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. From the south, you can take NCDOT ferries from Swanquarter, NC and Cedar Island, NC to the village of Ocracoke on Ocracoke Island.

The provided physical address is the location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, roughly in the middle of the park.

Plan Your Visit

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Hours

Park Grounds

The grounds of Cape Hatteras National Seashore are always open for visitors, though there are resource closures that seasonally affect different parts of the beach.

Location

NC

35.4137, -75.6506

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