Cape Lookout
National Seashore
Authorized March 10, 1966. Included on the North Carolina Registry of Natural Heritage Areas May 23, 1986. Designated as a component in the Carolinian-South Atlantic Biosphere Reserve in 1986.
- VISITATION:
- Highest in fall months of October and November. Summer
months next highest. Lowest in January and February.
- LOCATION:
- Carteret County, North Carolina
- ADDRESS:
- Cape Lookout National Seashore
131 Charles Street
Harkers Island, NC 28531 - TELEPHONE:
- (252)728-2250
- OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
- Visitor Center on Harkers Island is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET (closed December 25 and January 1). Visitor Centers in the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters and in Portsmouth Village are open from April to November (hours vary).
- Private ferry service to the park offered mid-March to the first weekend in December. Park accessible by personal boat year round.
- Primitive cabin rentals available from mid-March to the first weekend in December.
- Private ferry service to the park offered mid-March to the first weekend in December. Park accessible by personal boat year round.
- CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
- Summers are warm, humid and buggy.
Winter temperatures can go below freezing.
Fall and spring have low humidity and are generally mild. Rainy periods occur
throughout the year. Wear comfortable sportswear in season with a hat for the
sun and good walking shoes that can take the sand and salt water.
- DIRECTIONS:
- Cape Lookout National Seashore's Visitor Center is located on the eastern end
of Harkers Island, approximately 20 mi (30 km) east of Beaufort, NC and 30 mi
(50 km)south of the Cedar Island terminus of the North Carolina State Ferry route from Ocracoke Island to Cedar Island.
From Beaufort: Take U.S. 70 east to Harkers Island Road (SR 1332/SR 1335).
From Cedar Island: Take SR 12 south past the Atlantic turnoff to US 70 west. Continue on US 70 to Harkers Island Road (SR1332/SR 1335) .
Follow Harkers Island Road until it terminates. On the left is the two-story visitor center. - TRANSPORTATION:
- Cape Lookout National Seashore is accessible only through private ferries leaving from Harkers Island, Davis, Atlantic, Beaufort, Morehead City and Ocracoke or your personal boat.
To Park: Ferries leaving from the communities of Harkers Island, Beaufort, Morehead City and Ocracoke, NC carry passengers only. The ferries from Davis and Atlantic, NC can transport passengers and 4-wheel drive vehicles. For additional information call (252)728-2250, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM ET. After hours a recording will give you a list of the ferry operators.
In Park: Most people walk although personal 4-wheel drive and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are allowed subject to State of North Carolina laws. All vehicle operators, ATVs included, must have a valid drivers license in their possession while driving a vehicle in the park. For those without a vehicle there are limited privately operated beach shuttle services available during the summer months. - FEES, COSTS, RATES:
- There are no entry or camping fees.
Ferry rate (roundtrip):
Passenger Ferries- in season: $10.00 to $14.00 per person
out of season: $15.00 per person
Vehicle Ferries- Passengers: $14.00 per person
Vehicles: $75.00 per standard size (18 1/2 ft and under) vehicle. Larger vehicles cost more.
Beach shuttle (roundtrip): $10 per person from the Lighthouse ferry landing to Cape Point; $3.50 per person per mile (min 2 persons) from the ferry landing on North Core Banks. Shuttle arrangements made through ferry services.
Cabin rentals: $22-$150 per cabin per night. Contact the concession operators directly for availability.Parking permit fee: $6 weekly
This permit is required for vehicles that will be left unattended on the banks.
- FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
- Visitor Center/Exhibits:
- Visitor Center/Exhibits:
- Visitor Centers are located on Harkers Island, within Portsmouth Village, and at the Cape Lookout Lighthouse in the Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters.
- Trails, Roads:
- Self-guided trail through Portsmouth Village. There are no other marked trails on the seashore.
Hikers follow the open beach face or the sand trail behind the dunes.
There are no paved or hard surface roads on the seashore, 4-wheel drive is highly recommended for the soft sand of the established trails and the open beach. Conventional 2-wheel drive, front wheel drive, and all-wheel drive vehicles not recommended.
Bicycles and motorcycles are not permitted on the seashore.
- Programs/Activities:
Educational programs for schools and other organizations available year round by reservation.- Lodging and camping facilities:
- Lodging and camping facilities:
- In Park: There are concession operated cabins on two of the three barrier islands. These cabins have hot/cold water, gas stoves, no refrigerators and no linens. Cabin rentals are available from mid-March to the 1st week of December.
For more information contact:
Morris Marina, Kabin Kamps and Ferry Service (252)225-4261
and/or Alger G. Willis Fishing Camps (252)729-2791.
Campers should be aware that all camping is in the primitive style. There is very little shade or shelter on the islands and no source for supplies. Campers must bring everything they need with them, including drinking water. Please pack out what you pack in. There is no trash pick up on the islands and buried trash resurfaces quickly in the beach environment creating a hazard for sea turtles and other wildlife.Nearby: A variety of lodging and camping facilities are available in the area. For more information contact: Crystal Coast Visitor Center (800) 786-6962; Carteret County Chamber of Commerce (252) 726-6350; Dare County Tourist Bureau (800) 446-6262; Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce (252) 441-8144; Hyde County Chamber of Commerce (252) 925-5201
- Accessibility:
- Visitor Center on Harkers Island is accessible. Access to and on the banks is limited. Ferries are partially accessible, contact the individual ferry service for details.
On the banks soft sand may hinder walking or wheelchairs.
Steps in the historic buildings at Portsmouth Village and in the Keeper's Quarters may prevent easy access. At the southern end of the park there is a wooden walkway from the ferry dock to an observation platform at the beach and to the Keeper's Quarters by the lighthouse. Ease of access to this walkway is dependent on the phase of the tide.
- Special needs:
- Parking areas available for buses at Harkers Island Visitor
Center. Visitor parking available at Harkers Island Visitor
Center.
- RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
- Sightseeing at Portsmouth Village, Lighthouse Complex; observing plants and wildlife on all three islands; picnicking, shelling, fishing and sunbathing. Swimmers should be aware that there are no lifeguards. All swimming is at your own risk.
For information on archeology, visit SEAC
- RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
- Program Reservations: Schools or other educational groups wanting to have a ranger conducted program should contact the park at least two weeks prior to the visit. Reservations are made on a first come-first served basis and are subject to staff availability constraints. There is no charge for the programs.
Parking Permits: All vehicles (4 wheel drive, ATV, camper or trailer) that will be left unattended on the banks must be parked in a designated parking area and have a valid permit. Permits are $6.00 per week. For more information and to request a permit application call (252) 728-2250 Ext. 3016, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM ET.
Special Use and Film Permits: At least one month's notice is recommended. These permits are arranged on an individual basis with fees based on the size and complexity of the project. For additional information concerning special use or filming permits call (252)728-2250, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM ET. - BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
- The average stay is from two to five hours; access can be difficult to
remote sections of the seashore such as Portsmouth Village, allow an extra day for visiting these areas. Visiting all three islands can take a total of seven ferry rides.
Important: Carry these three items with you for even a short visit to the banks: drinking water, sunscreen and a good insect repellent.
- VISITOR IMPACTS:
- Closed Areas: Some areas closed seasonally for nesting birds and sea turtles. Walking or driving in these areas can kill nestlings. Please heed the closure signs.
Pets: All pets must be leashed at all times while on the seashore. Leashes may be no longer than six feet in length. Pets may be brought to the seashore on private boats only, they are not allowed on any of the ferries.
Before bringing your pet to the seashore please consider the following:There is very little natural shade on the seashore and very few freshwater sources. The heat of the beach environment and the lack of drinking water is hard on pets.
Weather: Weather can change rapidly. During the summer months afternoon thunderstorms are common. Hurricane season runs from June through November. Winter storms, called Northeasters, can occur from December through March. Before leaving the mainland check the latest forecast. Campers planning to stay several days on the banks should carry a portable weather radio. - ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore; North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC; North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores, NC; Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, NC; Carteret County Museum of History and Art, Morehead City, NC; Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort, NC; Core Sound Waterfowl Museum, Harkers Island, NC
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Write Park Headquarters, Cape Lookout National Seashore, 131
Charles Street, Harkers Island, NC 28531 or call (252)728-2250.
- Requests for information may also be sent by email to CALO_Information@nps.gov. (CALO_Information@nps.gov)
View General Management Plan Information
- Requests for information may also be sent by email to CALO_Information@nps.gov. (CALO_Information@nps.gov)
Last Updated:Tuesday, 03-Aug-99 14:18:13
http://www.nps.gov/calo/