Cape Hatteras National Seashore protects part of North Carolina’s barrier islands. While one of the more famous attractions, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, draws many visitors, there are actually two other lighthouses in the park boundary--Bodie Lighthouse and Ocracoke Island Lighthouse. Both of these are also well worth a visit if you enjoy lighthouses, though due to disrepair, neither of these lighthouses is open for climbing.

Visitors can also enjoy walking along the beach or trying to catch a glimpse of a piping plover or a sea turtle. Beach access may be limited in some areas for the protection of wildlife species like nesting birds and sea turtles.

— Alissa McMahon

Did You Know?

In order to save the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse from rising sea levels and shoreline erosion, in 2000 the lighthouse was moved just over half a mile inland!

Threats

The beaches and lighthouses that bring thousands of visitors to Cape Hatteras National Seashore or in danger of disappearing.  Due to global climate change, rising sea levels threaten to make Cape Hatteras National Seashore an underwater national park.  You can learn more about this threat by reading NPCA’s report Unnatural Disaster.

Visitor Feedback

Post a Comment

Nickname
Comment
Email
	Check this box if you would like to receive periodic updates, including our monthly enewsletter, Park Lines, and action alerts.
Enter this word:	Change

*NPCA staff do not regularly respond to postings. We reserve the right to remove comments that include profanity, personal attacks, or are off-topic. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the position(s) of NPCA.