Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 when visiting parks and recreational facilities
Current Status of Park Operations and Facilities
Face Masks are required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including at gathering points while waiting to board the ferry and during the ferry trip as well as on narrow or busy trails, beaches, and in historic homes. We are fortunate to have plenty of open beaches where you can spread out and not have to wear a mask while fishing, shelling, swimming, and other beach activities. Masks are necessary where ever you cannot maintain 6 feet of distance between groups.
Barrier Islands: South Core Banks, Shackleford Banks, North Core Banks
South Core Banks OPEN Camping by tent, shelling, fishing allowed. Check directly with the ferry service for their operational schedule. Drinking water availability -- water supply locations at the restrooms near the lighthouse and at the Great Island Cabin camp.
Shackleford Banks OPEN Camping by tent, shelling, fishing allowed. Check directly with the ferry service for their operational schedule. Drinking water availability - no locations on the island. Visitors should bring their own supply.
North Core Banks OPEN Camping by tent, shelling, fishing allowed. Check directly with the Vehicle ferry for their operational schedule. Drinking water availability -- no potable water is available on the island. Visitors should bring their own supply.
Ferry Operations
Passenger ferry service from Beaufort and Harkers Island OPEN -- weather dependent
Vehicle ferry services -- OPEN
Check with the individual ferry service for operation schedules
Visitor Centers
Harkers Island Visitor Center OPEN Visitor Center Store OPEN
Light Station Visitor Center OPEN
Keepers' Quarters Museum OPEN
Beaufort Visitor Information Center closed
Portsmouth Village Visitor Center closed (open intermittently through August 1)
Cape Lookout Lighthouse
Closed until further notice
Restrooms
Harkers Island Shell Point restrooms OPEN
Shackleford Banks restrooms OPEN
Light Station (Lighthouse Area) --
- soundside dock area restrooms OPEN
- oceanside pedestrian beach restrooms OPEN
Back road restrooms near the point of Cape Lookout OPEN
Great Island Cabin Camp -- South Core Banks
Cabins OPEN
Cabin office OPEN
Ice sales OPEN
Gas sales OPEN
Bath house OPEN
ORV dump station OPEN
Long Point Cabin Camp -- North Core Banks
Closed for the 2021 season due to damage from Hurricane Dorian - no sales of ice or gas
Bath house: restrooms OPEN shower section OPEN note: water is not potable, do not use for drinking
ORV dump station OPEN
Shell Point, Harkers Island
Nature trail OPEN (only during daylight hours)
Restrooms OPEN