News Release

Cape Hatteras National Seashore sees 37 percent increase in October visitation

News Release Date: November 18, 2020

Contact: Michael Barber, 252-475-9032

Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) hosted 259,618 visits* last month, up 37.58% from October 2019. This was the second-busiest October on record, trailing only the 288,705 visits recorded in October 2003.

Only three times in its history has the Seashore hosted more than 200,000 visits in October.

Top 5 Highest October Visits by Year
2003: 288,705
2020: 259,618
2018: 201,269
2000: 199,548
2017: 199,300

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial also experienced high levels of visitation last month. Notably, 19,779 visits were recorded at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, making it the third-busiest October at the park.

Visitors should continue to practice the Three W's - Wear a cloth face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained. Wait six feet apart in line. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.



*Seashore visitation estimates are collected by counting southbound vehicles just north of the Marc Basnight Bridge and using a multiplier to estimate the total number of passengers heading south. Those estimates are added to the number of passengers going to Ocracoke Island from Cedar Island and Swan Quarter.