• 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 »

Visiting Lighthouses

There are three historic lighthouses located in the park. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for climbing and the Bodie Island Lighthouse is open for tours from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day. The Ocracoke Island Lighthouse is not open for climbing.


  • The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

    is open for climbing during the summer months Read More

  • The Bodie Island Lighthouse The Bodie Island Lighthouse

    is the third lighthouse to be located at the southern end of Bodie Island. Read More

  • The Ocracoke Island Lighthouse The Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

    is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina Read More

Did You Know?

Seasparkle, a tiny dinoflagellate that can be seen glowing in the surfline at night.

The beaches along Cape Hatteras National Seashore sparkle at night.

When you kick the sand, you disturb tiny dinoflagellates like seasparkle, magnified in the picture to the left.  A chemical reaction causes them to glow with a blue-green light.