Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 when visiting parks and recreational facilities
Current Status of Park Operations and Facilities
Following the most recent CDC guidance for areas of Low or Medium community transmission; the use of face masks is now optional within Cape Lookout National Seashore.
People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms (even if you think it is a cold), a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
Barrier Islands: South Core Banks, Shackleford Banks, North Core Banks
South Core Banks OPEN Camping, 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, 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 Check directly with the ferry service for daily operational schedule -- Spring/Fall schedule ferries leave once an hour; summer schedule ferries are leaving every 1/2 hour Some variations to the schedule may occur.
Vehicle ferry services -- OPEN until the end of December
Check with the individual ferry service for operation schedules
Visitor Centers -
Harkers Island Visitor Center OPEN Visitor Center Store OPEN
Holiday hours: Thanksgiving Day Closed; Christmas Day Closed; New Years Day Closed
Light Station Visitor Center OPEN Visitor Center Store OPEN
Keepers' Quarters Museum OPEN
Beaufort Visitor Information Center OPEN (May be self-serve on some days)
Portsmouth Village Visitor Center OPEN
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 2022 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 (drinkable)
ORV dump station OPEN
Shell Point, Harkers Island
Nature trail OPEN (only during daylight hours)
Restrooms OPEN -