• Brown Pelican taking off.

    Cape Hatteras

    National Seashore North Carolina

There are park alerts in effect.
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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 »

Operating Hours & Seasons

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is open year round.

The Hatteras Island Visitor Center is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year (closed Christmas).

The Bodie Island Visitor Center is open 9 am to 6 pm daily the Friday before Memorial Day through Columbus Day; and from 9 am to 5 pm the rest of the year (closed Christmas).

The Ocracoke Island Visitor Center is open 9 am to 5 pm year round (closed Christmas).

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for climbing from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day (early October).

Bodie Island Lighthouse tours are available from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day (early October).

National Park Service campgrounds at Oregon Inlet, Frisco, and Ocracoke are generally open the first Friday in April through Columbus Day. The Cape Point Campground is generally open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Did You Know?

December 17, 1903 First Flight

Wright Brothers National Memorial, where Wilbur and Orville Wright flew the first powered flights on December 17, 1903, is only a few miles north of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. More...