Cape Hatteras |
National Seashore |
U.S. Department of the Interior
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore A special use permit is required for activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group or organization, rather than the public at large, and that requires some degree of management from the National  Park Service to protect park resources and the public interest. Examples include:
 be billed the full cost for restoration.
Our most requested permits are for weddings and commercial filming. WEDDINGS Our sand dunes, beaches and lighthouses are important components of the park's renowned resources, as well as important habitats for a host of plants and wildlife. These resources attract a great deal of visitors seeking scenic vistas, the tranquility of the beaches and unspoiled landscapes. Preserving the seashore and its cultural resource unimpaired for our visitors remains one of our most important missions. Accordingly, special uses are strictly regulated to insure that we continue to meet that mission.
Our most popular special use of the national seashore is private weddings. Restrictions and requirements that apply to special permits for weddings include:
The foregoing summarizes some of the conditions set out on each permit. The actual conditions contained within the permit are binding upon the permittee and may be changed from time to time.
Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island. Immediately south of Cape Hatteras, Ocracoke Island must be reached by ferry operated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Travel time by car and ferry averages about two hours from Nags Head, depending on the time of day. The ferry operates at different Cape Hatteras Lighthouse at Buxton, NC. Buxton is approximately 40 miles south of Manteo and Nags Head, NC. This is perhaps the most famous of all lighthouses on the Atlantic Coast, and it is the tallest. Thousands of visitors visit this lighthouse on a daily basis during the summer months. While this lighthouse is open to the public from time to time, weddings cannot be performed within the lighthouse itself or on its steps and paths. Continuous public access to the lighthouse is required at all times. Parking and restroom facilities are readily available, and this area is more suitable for larger weddings of up to 25 people. However, the area is less intimate given the great number of people visiting the lighthouse on a daily basis. From Memorial Day until Labor Day, permits will only be issued for weddings occurring before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM daily. Larger weddings can more easily be accommodated at the beach area just beyond the lighthouse. See the information below on Beach Areas. Bodie Island Lighthouse. Situated approximately 8 miles south of Nags Head and Manteo, NC, this is perhaps the most accessible of the park's lighthouses for most visitors. The site includes a nice expansive grassy area, parking facilities for up 50 cars and restroom facilities. This is ideally suited for larger wedding parties. From Memorial Day until Labor Day, permits will only be issued for weddings occurring before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM daily. Beach Areas
Ocracoke Island. There are a number of sites that are well suited for wedding ceremonies along the magnificent coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Just north (approximately 4 miles) of the Village of Ocracoke is the day use beach area with parking spaces for 35 cars. During the summer season, it is also a Cape Hatteras. Adjacent to the lighthouse are a number of beach areas ideally suited for weddings. Entering the park and across from the visitors parking lot is a beach access that leads to a picturesque and large expanse of beach suitable for larger weddings. Most days there is adequate parking for larger numbers of people, and immediately nearby is our new restroom facility. Above that site are the stones marking the original site of the lighthouse. This area and the adjacent beach are also picturesque sites for a wedding. Past the ranger's station, follow the park road leading to the Point and a smaller parking area for approximately 15 cars. This is a beautiful and usually less populous section of beach. Most beach locations provide an excellent view of the lighthouse for special photo opportunities. Bodie Island. Immediately east of the Bodie Island Lighthouse is the Coquina Beach day use area with parking spaces for 115 cars. The beach is very popular with visitors to the seashore. Vehicles are not permitted on the beach north of the ramp access. Restroom facilities are available, during the summer and fall months. If you would like to apply for a wedding permit, you way simply address a letter to our park in care of the Superintendent: National Park Service 1401 National Park Drive Manteo, NC 27954 If you have any questions about the process or your permit, please contact our Special Park Uses Coordinator at (252) 473-2111, Ext. 121. Filming permits are never required for our regular visitors to the park, even if they intend to use their photos in some commercial fashion when they return home. Film permits are not required for "breaking" news. Filming permits are required for any public or commercial photographer regardless of whether for charitable, educational or philanthropic purpose if:
All filming may only be done in open areas of the park. If you have a question about whether or not you may need a filming permit, please contact our Special Park Uses Coordinator at (252) 473-2111, Ext. 121. & WEDDING RECEPTIONS Organized parties and receptions are not permitted activities within our park. The park has no pavilions or shelters appropriate for such activities. Such parties are required to seek private facilities outside the park which are plentiful in the surrounding areas. The National Park Service has long recognized freedom of speech, press, religion and public assembly. However, the courts have held that certain activities associated with exercising these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources and the public's legitimate use of the park's resources. Accordingly, First Amendment activities require a special use permit in advance of the activity and the park may regulate the time, place and manner of the activity in accordance with court and public law guidelines. Specific examples of first amendment activities requiring a special use permit include:
If any proposed activity warranting a permit requires special or additional services by park employees, additional charges may added to the fee. In addition, the park can impose special restrictions and requirements, including the posting of a bond and providing liability insurance. Once the park has received your request and has assessed the proposed activity, you will be informed at that time if additional charges may be assessed or incurred. Not all requests are permitted activities in the park. You will be told if that is the case. Requests for permits must be received by the park a minimum of three business days before the day of a requested event. If you are issued a special use permit, it does not grant an exclusive use of the place and time stated. The park's visitor areas always remain open to the public. However, permitted uses almost never conflict on time and place, and most areas are large enough to accommodate a number of permitted uses. While the National Park Service neither endorses nor promotes public or private business activities, the following sites are offered to assist you in planning your visit to the Cape Hatteras area:
http://www.outerbankschamber.com/ http://www.outerbanks.org/ http://www.outerbanksweddingassoc.org If you have any questions about the process or your permit, please contact our Special Park Uses Coordinator at (252) 473-2111, Ext. 121 or by e-mail Special Park Uses Coordinator. Filming permits are required for any public or commercial photographer regardless of whether for charitable, educational or philanthropic purpose if:
special set-ups may be required, or lights are to be used, or if there is a crew of one or more people assisting the photographer, or if any type of prop or model is to be used. All filming may only be done in open areas of the park. If you have a question about whether or not you may need a filming permit, please contact our Special Park Uses Coordinator at (252) 473-2111, Ext. 121 or by e-mail Special Park Uses Coordinator. The National Park Service has long recognized freedom of speech, press, religion and public assembly. However, the courts have held that certain activities associated with exercising these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources and the public's legitimate use of the park's resources. Accordingly, First Amendment activities require a special use permit in advance of the activity and the park may regulate the time, place and manner of the activity in accordance with court and public law guidelines. Specific examples of first amendment activities requiring a special use permit include:
Political speeches Religious services Public assemblies Collecting signatures for petitions return to main page |
must stay within open trails and public areas. No weddings may be held within or upon any public park structure or its approach or steps. 
Lighthouses
times during the day, and the schedule is published at 
lifeguarded beach. Approximately one mile north of the day use beach is the campground with parking spaces for 50 cars. And, approximately 3 miles north of that is the pony pen area with parking for 25 cars. All provide beach access and spectacular views of the ocean.