Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-23 to 2026-12-17; community-mapped.

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

At the park

• ATV / off-road activity
• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Beaches scenic feature
• Fishing water
• Paddling (kayak/canoe) water
• Swimming water

Events

• Bodie Island Lighthouse Climb
• Old Days at the Weather Station
• Banker Ponies
• Beach Bird Walk (Hatteras)
• Bird Walk (Ocracoke)
• Bodie Island Lighthouse Evening Climb
• Bodie Island Lighthouse: Lighting the Way for over 150 Years
• Life on a Barrier Island (Hatteras Island)
• Life on a Barrier Island (Ocracoke)
• Night Skies over Ocracoke
• The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse: Reflect on the Past, Preserve for the Future
• The Ocracoke Lighthouse: Celebrating Over 200 Years of Service
• Totally Turtles!
• Crabbing with a Ranger

Before you go

Limits

A Beach Fire Permit is required

Limits

Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6' at all times and are prohibited within any resource closure

Limits

Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6' at all times and are prohibited within any resource closure

Limits

Open containers of alcohol are not permitted in any motor vehicle

Limits

The launching, landing, or operating of unmanned aircraft/drones on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service is prohibited

⚠ Park closure: Cape Point & Frisco campgrounds and several ORV ramps remain closed

The Cape Point and Frisco campgrounds and several off-road vehicle routes are currently closed. Reopening will begin after conditions improve and post-storm assessments are complete.

⚠ Park closure: Closure of Billy Mitchell Airport for Repaving Project

The Billy Mitchell Airport (HSE) is closed to accommodate a runway pavement rehabilitation project. The project will provide full resurfacing of paved areas, new reflective paint, and new tie-downs and anchors, improving visitor safety and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

⚠ Park closure: Project Safety Closure in Place Near Southernmost Groin in Buxton

Public access is closed for 300 feet north and south of a groin repair project site in Buxton, as well as the adjacent ocean area to the east. Surfers, swimmers, and all other recreationists should stay at least 300 feet from the southernmost groin area for safety purposes.

Getting there

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located along NC-12 in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. You can reach the seashore from the north by following US 158 to Nag Heads, NC and the turn-off to NC-12 and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. From the south, you can take NCDOT ferries from Swanquarter, NC and Cedar Island, NC to the village of Ocracoke on Ocracoke Island. The provided physical address is the location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, roughly in the middle of the park.

Weather & when to go

The weather along the Outer Banks varies throughout the year and even throughout the day. Please check the National Weather Service information at http://www.weather.gov/mhx/ for forecast information.

Visitor center

Avon Fishing Pier

Visitor center

Bodie Island Light Station

Visitor center

Bodie Island Light Station

Visitor center

Bodie Island Visitor Center — The hours of operation for the Bodie Island Visitor Center. — The Bodie Island Visitor Center is located at the northern end of the park along NC-12 and just south of the town of Nags Head on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Visitor center

Bodie Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Bodie Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Bodie Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Cape Hatteras Light Station

Visitor center

Chicamacomico Life Saving Station

Visitor center

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Visitor center

Hatteras Inlet North Ferry Terminal

Visitor center

Hatteras Inlet South Ferry Terminal

Facilities on the park map

8 bench, 1 changing table, 2 defibrillator, 3 first aid kit, 8 picnic area, 37 restroom, 41 visitor information, 4 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Frisco Campground Frisco Campground with 127 sites is located west of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse near the village of Frisco, North Carolina. The campground is tucked between the sand dunes and shrub thicket. A public boardwalk allows easy ocean access for campers, and public bathhouses, grills, and picnic tables are available. Open spring-late fall. · 117 campsites · Accessibility: There is one accessible-designated campsite. It is located on loose, sandy terrain with a grill and picnic table. It has no designated tent site. The majority…
• Cape Point Campground Cape Point Campground with 202 sites is located southwest of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Hatteras (also known as Cape Point) itself. Open spring-late fall. Campsite reservations are limited to same-day reservations only. Campsites must be booked via recreation.gov. · 202 campsites · Accessibility: There are three accessible-designated campsites. They are located on grassy terrain with a grill and picnic table connected to the parking area by wooden…
• Ocracoke Campground Ocracoke Campground with 136 sites is located east of the village of Ocracoke, North Carolina on the island of Ocracoke. The campground offers grills, flush toilets, drinking water, cold showers, and is pet-friendly. The soil is sandy, so tent-campers will need extra-long tent stakes. RVs under 40 feet are welcome at this campground. There's no electricity, but there is a nearby dump station. Ther · 135 campsites · Accessibility: There are two accessible-designated campsites. They are located on flat, grassy terrain with a grill and picnic table. Neither has a designated tent site…
• Oregon Inlet Campground Oregon Inlet Campground has 107 sites and is open year round. Camping on a barrier island provides a chance to take in the power and nature of this special place. Listen to the breaking ocean waves while staring up at the night sky filled with stars. Walk along the sandy beaches during the day and share stories with friends at night. RV hookups are available at select sites. Running water and flus · 107 campsites · Accessibility: There are three accessible-designated campsites. They are located on grassy terrain with a grill and picnic table. None has a designated tent site, but one…