• Brown Pelican taking off.

    Cape Hatteras

    National Seashore North Carolina

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  • New Off Road Vehicle Regulations

    New off road vehicle (ORV) regulations are now in effect. Please check here for information on how to get your ORV permit More »

  • Beach Fire Permits are required

    Beach Fire Permits are now required. These permits are free. Please check here for information on how to get your Beach Fire Permit More »

A place to engage your senses

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 walking on the beach, kayaking on the sound, or climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse there is something for everyone to explore!

Features

  • Collage of Trading CArds

    Trading Cards for Kids

    Discover more than 500 stories about America’s journey from the Civil War to Civil Rights. View online or visit this park to collect your own copies.

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  • The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse rising into the sky.

    Lightstations of Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Not all lighthouses have the same mission; the two most northerly are beacons of warning while the southernmost is a signal of safe passage.

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  • Sea turtle on the beach.

    Sea turtles at the seashore.

    There are seven species of sea turtles in the whole world. Five of them spend some of their time here at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

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  • The battle of Fort Hatteras

    The Civil War comes to the Outer Banks.

    Union forces wanting to cut supply lines to Conferdate troops knew the way into North Carolina was through the islands of the Outer Banks.

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  • Preparing the base of the lighthouse for the move

    Moving the tallest lighthouse in America

    Moving a lighthouse is no easy task. It took a lot planning before the 2900 foot journey could take place.

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Did You Know?

The Principal Lightkeeper's Quarters and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move toward their new homes, a safer distance from the ocean.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick structure ever moved. When it was built in 1870, it stood 1,500 feet from the shore. By 1999, the lighthouse was within 100 feet of the ocean. To protect it from the encroaching sea, it was moved inland a total of 2,900 feet over a 23-day period.