News Release

Post-Hurricane Erin at Cape Lookout National Seashore

Visitors return to Cape Lookout National Seashore after the park assess for any impacts due to Hurricane Erin.

NPS Photo/S.Godin

News Release Date: August 22, 2025

Contact: BG Horvat, 252-838-8908

HARKERS ISLAND, NC – The National Park Service is assessing for any impacts due to Hurricane Erin. Currently, very few damages to park facilities or resources have been found. But there is a lot of standing water in various areas that will need time to dry out.

As of today, August 22, 2025:

• The Harkers Island Visitor Center is open.
  • Hours of operation are daily from 9:00 A.M. to 5 P.M. (EDT)
• The Light Station Visitor Center (and the pedestrian boardwalks from the Lighthouse Ferry Dock leading up to and around the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and to the oceanside pedestrian beach) is open.
  • Light Station Visitor Center hours of operation are daily from 9:00 A.M. to 5 P.M. (EDT)
• Passenger ferry service (via Island Express Ferry Service) to South Core and Shackleford Banks, from Beaufort and Harkers Island, are open. For more information, call [phone], or visit: www.islandexpressferryservice.com.
  • Hours of operation, from Beaufort: daily, every 30 minutes from 8:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.
  • Hours of operation, from Harkers Island: daily, every hour from 8:15 A.M. – 5:45 P.M.
• South Core Banks: Open to pedestrians and beach driving only, due to standing water on the backroads.

For Saturday, August 23, 2025:

• The Great Island Cabin Camp will reopen.
  • For more information regarding cancellations, or upcoming reservations, contact Recreation.gov at [phone], or at: www.recreation.gov.
• South Core Banks open to vehicle traffic.
• Visitors with vehicle ferry reservations may call for more information regarding schedule and/or reservations at the following: Cape Lookout Cabins and Camps Ferry Service (Davis, NC; [phone]).

For Sunday, August 24, 2025:

• The Keeper’s Quarters Museum will reopen.
  • Hours of operation are daily from 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
• North Core Banks will reopen to vehicles.
  • Visitors with vehicle ferry reservations may call for more information regarding schedule and/or reservations at the following: Morris Marina (Atlantic, NC; [phone]).

The National Park Service staff will be monitoring ongoing recovery efforts regarding Hurricane Erin and will post updates as needed on the park website and via Facebook and Instagram.