Cape Hatteras National Seashore
The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually. Whether you are enjoying the beach, kayaking the sound, or climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse there is something for everyone to explore!
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.
- Auto and ATV
- Auto Off-Roading
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Saltwater Fishing
- Food
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Hunting and Gathering
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Snorkeling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Saltwater Swimming
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
- Maritime
- Lighthouses
- Piracy and Privateering
- Ships and Shipwrecks
- Military
- US Navy
- US Coast Guard
- US Air Force (Army Air Corps)
- Science, Technology and Innovation
- Wars and Conflicts
- Civil War
- World War II
- Animals
- Birds
- Tortoises and Turtles
- Climate Change
- Coasts, Islands and Atolls
- Night Sky
- Astronomy
- Oceans
- Unique Species
- Endangered
Fresnel Lens
Bodie Island Lighthouse still has its first-order Fresnel lens.
Paddling Pamlico Sound
Lots of recreation opportunities await visits on the sound side of the barrier islands.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Black and white spirals decorate the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Playing in the Sand
Two kids enjoy the sands of Cape Hatteras.