- VISITATION:
- Highest in June, July, and August; lowest December through
February.
- LOCATION:
- The Outer Banks of North Carolina, including Bodie, Hatteras,
and Ocracoke Islands.
- ADDRESS:
- Superintendent
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Route 1, Box 675
Manteo, NC 27954
- TELEPHONE:
- (252) 473-2111
- OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
- The park is open year-round. The Hatteras Island Visitor
Center (located at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton) is
open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, year-round (except for
Christmas). Bodie Island and Ocracoke Island Visitor Centers are
open seasonally.
- CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
- Wind is an everyday occurrence on the Outer Banks, and can
range from gentle southwest breezes to strong northeast storm
winds. Otherwise the weather changes rapidly and can be very
unpredictable. Summer days are usually warm and humid, and are
often broken by fast-moving but severe thunderstorms. Winter
temperatures are usually cool, though the wind can make them
bitterly cold. Spring and Fall days can vary a great deal
between these two extremes.
Mosquitoes can be a significant problem throughout the warm-
weather months. Clothing should be seasonal, but have extra gear
available for wind and rain.
- DIRECTIONS:
- There are three major accesses to NC Highway 12, which is the
only major route through the park. From the north, NC Highway
158 accesses the Outer Banks at Kitty Hawk, and then intersects
NC Highway 12 at the park's northern entrance below Nags Head.
U.S. Highway 64 comes in from the west at Roanoke Island, and
also intersects NC Highway 12 at the park's northern entrance.
Finally, state-operated toll ferries access the park's southern
entrance at Ocracoke Island from Cedar Island or Swan Quarter
(call 1-800-BY-FERRY).
- TRANSPORTATION:
- To Park: access by highways (NC 12, U.S. 64, NC 158);
closest major airport is at Norfolk, VA; closest bus service is
at Elizabeth City, NC.
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle (no bike paths available;
use caution on busy two-lane highway).
- FEES, COSTS, RATES:
- Entrance to the park is free. Camping is $14.00 per night at
Oregon Inlet, Frisco, and Cape Point campgrounds, and by reservation for $15.00 per night at Ocracoke Campground. Concession fishing piers and charter boats in the park also charge fees for their services.
- FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
- Visitor Center/Exhibits:
- The Hatteras Island Visitor Center (located at the Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse in Buxton) is the main interpretive center in the
park. It is open year-round, and houses a variety of exhibits on
park themes, a book store, and restrooms. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. daily, year-round (except for Christmas).
The Bodie Island and Ocracoke Island Visitor Centers are open on
a seasonal basis. These facilities have exhibits, book stores, and restrooms.
- Trails, Roads:
- There are a variety of short trails in the park, as well as
long stretches of pristine beach. ORV access to the beach is
permitted in several areas. Check at a park visitor center for
current information.
- Programs/Activities:
- A full schedule of interpretive activities are presented by
park rangers throughout the summer season. These include a wide
range of history, natural resource, and recreational programs.
Check at a park Visitor Center for a current schedule, and a copy
of "In the Park," an informational newspaper published each
summer.
- Lodging and camping facilities:
-
The park currently operates four campgrounds, which are open seasonally (see camping page). Sites
at Oregon Inlet, Frisco, and Cape Point are $14.00 per night and
are available on a first-come, first-served basis; sites at
Ocracoke Campground are $15.00 per night and are by reservation
only during summer months (call 1-800-365-CAMP).
Private campgrounds and lodging are available in most area
villages. The Dare County Tourist Bureau (1-800-446-6262) or the Ocracoke Civic Association (252-928-6711) can provide current
information.
- Food/supplies:
- Available in all area villages.
- Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and
- Opportunities:
The park has three concession fishing piers, located in the
villages of Rodanthe, Avon, and Frisco. They provide fishing
facilities, related gear, and supplies on a fee basis. The
Oregon Inlet Fishing Marina is another park concession, providing
charter boat fishing, related gear, and supplies, also on a fee
basis.
- Accessibility:
- All park Visitor Centers and associated restrooms are
accessible. Individuals with special needs can call the park
prior to their visit for specific information.
- Archeology:
-
For information on archeology, visit SEAC
- RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
- The park provides for a wide range of activities. Several
days are recommended to enjoy the full scope of these
opportunities, including beach activities, nature trails, Visitor
Centers, and ranger programs.
- RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
- Reservations are needed for campsites at Ocracoke Campground.
Filming and commercial-use permits are issued through park
headquarters. No permits are needed for salt water sport fishing
or 4-wheel drive use on the beach.
- SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
- The park's interpretive program season normally runs from the
second week in June through Labor Day. The Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse is normally open to climb from Easter weekend through
Columbus Day, with hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (weather
permitting, with longer hours during the summer), BUT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO
RELOCATION OF THE LIGHTHOUSE (see Lighthouse Relocation Project on our main page).
- VISITOR IMPACTS:
- Camping is restricted to park campgrounds only, and ORV
driving is limited to specific access ramps and areas of the
beach. Pets must be leashed at all times.
- ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
- Wright Brothers National Memorial (Kitty Hawk, NC); Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Manteo, NC); Cape Lookout National Seashore (Beaufort, NC); Currituck Beach
Lighthouse (Corolla, NC)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Write the park at Superintendent, Cape Hatteras National
Seashore, Route 1, Box 675, Manteo, NC, 27954, or call at (252)
473-2111.
