About 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!
Quick Facts
Operating Hours
The grounds of Cape Hatteras National Seashore are always open for visitors, though there are resource closures that seasonally affect different parts of the beach.
Activities
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Topics & Themes
Visitor Centers
Bodie Island Visitor Center
NOTE: The building is closed due to a January 2025 structure fire, but rangers are on site to assist visitors, and the lighthouse is open…
Hours: The hours of operation for the Bodie Island Visitor Center.
Hatteras Island Weather Bureau Station
The Hatteras Weather Bureau Station was built in 1901 as one of the many stations along the east coast that would forecast weather for boats…
Hours: Hours of operation for the Hatteras Weather Bureau Station.
Museum of the Sea
About 50 miles south of the seashore's north entrance is the Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea in Buxton, NC. The Museum…
Hours: The hours of operation for the Hatteras Island Museum of the Sea.
Ocracoke Island Discovery Center
The Ocracoke Island Discovery Center is where you can go within the village of Ocracoke to get park information and start your exploration of Ocracoke…
Hours: The Ocracoke Island Discovery Center is open daily from mid-April - October. The Discovery Center is closed each day from 12:30pm-1:30pm.
Whalebone Junction Information Center
The Whalebone Junction Information Center is located on Highway 12 in Nags Head, NC at the entrance to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Park maps, newspapers,…
Hours: Open daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Campgrounds
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…
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…
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…
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…
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