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Contact: B.G. Horvat, 252-838-8906
Cape Lookout Lighthouse to Open May 15, 2019
HARKERS ISLAND, NC – The Southern Outer Banks beaches are a marvelous place to get away from it all and relax, go for a swim, search for magnificent sea shells, or take a trek up the 207 stairs to the top of the iconic Cape Lookout Lighthouse at Cape Lookout National Seashore.
The lighthouse will open for climbing on Wednesday, May 15, and will be open for the public’s enjoyment through Sunday, September 15, 2019 (weather dependent).
Climbing hours and days of operation will be Wednesdays through Sundays, 10:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with ticket sales from 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Folks can also plan to visit the lighthouse on Monday, May 27, and Monday, September 2, 2019, in honor of Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for senior citizens (62 or older) and children (11 and under). They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can only be purchased in-person at the site the day of the climb. There are no advance ticket sales.
Children must be at least 44” tall, and children 12 and under must be escorted by a person at least 16 years old.
Visitors should prepare ahead of their visit by bringing sunscreen, bug spray, water and snacks, and plan to pack out any trash as the park is a trash-free zone. Also, check local weather ahead of time and dress accordingly. Climbing the lighthouse can be ‘strenuous’, as the climb is the equivalent to climbing a 12-story building. For more information, check the park website at www.nps.gov/calo.
Harkers Island Visitor Center (HIVC), Harkers Island, NC
The National Park Service’s Harkers Island Visitor Center (HIVC) and the Island Express Ferry Service gateway to Cape Lookout Lighthouse and the east end of Shackleford Banks is located at 1800 Island Road, Harkers Island, North Carolina. The HIVC is open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Soundside Loop Trail – A 3/5 – mile, self-guided nature trail winds along the eastern shore of Harkers Island, through maritime forest and saltmarsh. Walk along the edge of land and sea and think about the forces that shape Harkers Island – and her people. The trail is open daily, during daylight hours.
Willow Pond Nature Trail - This 1/3-mile trail winds around a restored freshwater pond with gorgeous views of wetland habitats and maritime woodlands. Watch for Ibis and other migratory waterfowl year-round from observation sites along the way. The trail is open daily, during daylight hours.
Ribbon of Sand (park film available at the Harkers Island Visitor Center Theater - 26 minutes)
This film showcases the natural barrier island ecosystem from the sound-side marshes and estuaries to the protective chain of the Outer Banks and the ocean depths beyond. The film is shown upon request. For your convenience, this film is open-captioned, audio described, and assistive listening devices are available.
Junior Rangers and Junior Ranger Adventures – A fun way to explore the park is to become a Junior Ranger. The Junior Ranger program is designed for ages 5 to 13, but everyone is welcome to participate. Activity booklets are available at the Harkers Island Visitor Center, the Beaufort Visitor Information Center, the Light Station Visitor Center, and the Great Island and Long Point Cabin Camp Offices.
Light Station Visitor Center (LSVC), South Core Banks, NC
The beach is a wealth of activities under the Summer-sun at Cape Lookout National Seashore. From camping, fishing, surfing, shelling, and even to learn about the dynamic ecology of the banks, or the rich history of the Cape Lookout Light Station, there is something for everyone! The Light Station Visitor Center (LSVC) is located off the boardwalk in the lighthouse area that is connected to the passenger ferry dock on South Core Banks. This seasonal visitor center is open daily, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ranger Programs at the Lighthouse Beach
(meet at the Light Station Visitor Center Shade Shelter; 10:15 a.m., 2:15 p.m.; Wednesdays – Fridays)
Ranger programs are a great way to learn more about the park and are scheduled Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
While at the beach, take a moment to find out more about the plants, animals, and people of the Southern Outer Banks. Rangers will highlight the Crystal Coast’s scenic beauty, rich culture and history, along with the challenges ahead through a 20-minute presentation (starts at 10:30 a.m.), and a 45-minute beach walk, or interactive demonstration (beginning at 2:30 p.m.). Check the Ranger Activity Board when you arrive at the park for more!
Beaufort Visitor Information Center (BVIC), Beaufort, NC
Introduce yourself to Cape Lookout National Seashore from historic Beaufort. The Beaufort Visitor Center provides exhibits on the ecology and history of the southern outer banks islands of North Carolina. Check out the maps, exhibits, and brochures and get advice from park staff in planning your visit over the expansive 56-miles of national seashore. Get the kids involved with the Jr. Ranger program and have your National Park passport book stamped. Stop by the visitor center if you’re in Beaufort.
The National Park Service’s Beaufort Visitor Information Center and the Island Express Ferry Service gateway to the west-end of Shackleford Banks are located at 701 Front Street, Beaufort, North Carolina. The BVIC is open daily, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ranger Programs at, or around Beaufort
Art of the New Deal
(Program meets in Beaufort Town Hall – Front Street Entrance; 2:00 p.m.; Sundays, beginning June 23 – September 1)
Calling all art enthusiasts! Discover the art of the New Deal era through the nationally treasured murals of Simka Simkhovitch, which capture moments of our local maritime history. Locals who have grown up with the murals are encouraged to attend (and share their memories).
Rove with a Ranger
(Program meets at the Island Express Ferry Service ticket booth in Beaufort; 9:15 a.m., Fridays, beginning June 21 – August 30; Ferry fees apply, call the ferry tickets)
Explore Shackleford Banks for a morning walk with a Park Ranger, and see if you can spot some of the wild horses, or discover one of the many sea birds that reside, or stop by on their migration. Come prepared for the adventure by bringing water, snacks, binoculars / camera, sunscreen, bug spray, and a pair of water-walking shoes. Come for the walk, stay and enjoy the day at Shackleford beaches at your leisure.
Portsmouth Village Visitor Center (PVVC), Portsmouth, NC
Plan ahead and take a step back in time on a visit to the historic Portsmouth Village, located on Portsmouth Island at the northern end of Cape Lookout National Seashore’s boundary (North Core Banks). Experience the once bustling lightering port where goods from the shipping industry were dispersed to smaller ships able to better navigate the shoals of the Sounds. Portsmouth Village is a step back in time to the hallowed grounds of maritime village culture. The first house on the right of the path from the Haulover Dock (where the passenger ferry drops off / picks up) is the Theodore and Annie Salter House, which serves as the Portsmouth Village Visitor Center (PVVC).
Departing from Ocracoke, NC, contact Rudy Austin’s Portsmouth Island Boat Tours (Passenger Ferry) for more details and ferry schedule at 252-928-4361. The PVVC is open seasonally (mid-April through the end of October) Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Island Express Ferry Service
Island Express Ferry Service is the passenger ferry service to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and to Shackleford Banks. The authorized concessioner is available for daily (weather permitting) passenger service from the ferry gateway locations in Beaufort (Town Docks at 600 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516) and Harkers Island (1800 Island Road, Harkers Island, NC 28531). Call the ferry at 252-728-7433 or visit www.islandexpressferryservice.com for their scheduled times and fees.
Last updated: May 10, 2019