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Cape Hatteras National SeashoreBeach solitude
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Visitor Centers
 

Visitor Center Hours

All park visitor centers are open year-round, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. mid-June through Labor Day and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.




Bodie Island Visitor Center

Approximately six miles south of the Seashore's northern entrance is the Bodie Island Visitor Center. This visitor center is located in the historic Bodie Island Lighthouse Double Keepers Quarters building at the end of a short park road off of NC Highway 12, across from Coquina Beach. The building has exhibits on the Bodie Island Lighthouse history.

Outside the Visitor Center, a path leads to the 156-ft Bodie Island Lighthouse. The path continues past the lighthouse to a wildlife observation deck on the edge of a freshwater pond where you can peacefully observe area waterfowl and wading birds.

The Visitor Center also houses an Eastern National bookstore.

Ranger programs are scheduled during summer months. 

 


Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea

About 50 miles south of the Seashore's north entrance is the Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea in Buxton, NC. 

The Visitor Center offers and Eastern National bookstore and several bulletin board displays.

The Museum is within the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Double Keepers Quarters. The two-floor museum contains exhibits on various aspects of history touching the Outer Banks, and some natural history display. 

A small audiovisual room provides for a variety of presentations.

Most visitors visit both the Visitor Center and Museum during their visit to the adjacent Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

There is beach parking nearby, as well as the Buxton Woods Nature Trail.

Ranger programs are scheduled during summer months and offered intermittantly, or as posted, the rest of the year.

 


Ocracoke Island Visitor Center

Near the Seashore's southern edge in Ocracoke Village is the Ocracoke Island Visitor Center. This small building is located at the end of NC Highway12 where the road enters the ferry terminal. The Visitor Center is a mix of Eastern National bookstore items and exhibits focused on Ocracoke history.

From the Visitor Center, the Ocracoke Lighthouse is visible across Silver Lake.

Ranger programs are scheduled during summer months.

books
Bookstore
Visit our on-line bookstore operated by Eastern National
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North Carolina Route 12 Highway Sign
Seashore Map
Check the Seashore Map for locations of lighthouses, visitor centers, swim beaches, etc.
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volunteers
Join our volunteers . . . .
and help to protect and preserve Cape Hatteras NS
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N O A A logo
Get Rip Current Tips from NOAA . . . .
and be in the know!
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This artist's rendering shows the U.S.S. Monitor foundering in a storm off of Cape Hatteras in December 1862.  

Did You Know?
The U.S.S. Monitor sank off Cape Hatteras during a storm in December 1862. The wreck's location was a mystery until 1973 when a research vessel found the ship 16 miles off the cape in 230 feet of water. In 1975, the Monitor was named the nation’s first National Marine Sanctuary.

Last Updated: July 30, 2006 at 21:16 EST