Lighthouses

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, is at the southern tip of Hatteras Island. As the story goes, founding father Alexander Hamilton, the nation's first Secretary of Treasury, became so sick and afraid as he made his way around the pitch black cape in a storm tossed ship as a child that he vowed, if he ever amounted to anything in our country, he would see to it that a lighthouse would be built on that very spot. Hamilton fulfilled his promise, and a lighthouse was built in 1802.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse you see today, built between 1869-70, was a replacement after the first lighthouse fell victim to erosion. It is the most recognized, photographed, painted, read about and admired lighthouse in North America. It is the signature of America's maritime history, and the symbol of the United States Lighthouse Service. This 198 ft. structure is located on Cape Point in Buxton. If you're up to climbing its 268 steps, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the island and it's beaches.

The physical moving of the lighthouse was completed on July 9, 1999 with the last brick of the brick foundation being placed at 3:33 PM on Tuesday, September 14th.

CLOSURES: DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE STAIRWAY SYSTEM, THE CAPE HATTERAS LIGHTHOUSE IS CLOSED TO PUBLIC FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR. CHECK "NEWS AND EVENTS" ON THE OFFICIAL SITE FOR UPDATED INFORMATION.

For the first time, there will be a fee to climb the lighthouse. As part of the Congressionally authorized Recreational Fee Demonstration Program Act (1996), the National Park Service (NPS) is allowed to implement and test new fees across the geographic and programmatic spectrum of sites they manage. Fees collected at the lighthouse will help the NPS deal with financial shortfalls brought about by increasing levels of visitation, unfunded repair and maintenance of infrastructure, and rising resource management needs. The fee schedule is $3/person 12 years of age and over per climb; $1.50/child under 12 years of age or adult 62 years of age or over. Bona-fide organized educational groups are not charged for climbing the lighthouse. Since the lighthouse climbing fee is a recreational use fee, park entry passes such as the Park Pass and the Golden Eagle Pass are not applicable to lighthouse use.

Summer hours for the lighthouse will be from 10 AM to 4 PM daily. The lighthouse is subject to closure whenever weather conditions make it unsafe for visitors, or when other conditions present unacceptable public safety risks or create adverse resource impacts to the structure. For information call 252.473.2111

	`The Currituck Beach Lighthouse`, built in 1875, is the northernmost lighthouse on the Outer Banks. The 163-foot structure is open to the public 10am to 6pm from Easter through Thanksgiving weekend. For a $4 fee you can climb the 212 steps to the top for a panoramic view of the Currituck Sound and the historic Whalehead Club. The recently restored keeper's quarters and "wild horse" enclosure are located on the grounds. For information call 252.453.4939. For more information on the Currituck Beach Lighthouse please visit their web page at: http://www.currituckbeachlight.com

	`The Bodie Island Lighthouse` (pronounced "body"), sister of the Currituck Lighthouse, was built in 1872 and is 150 ft tall. Located six miles south of Whalebone Junction, visitors can explore the scenic grounds all year round and browse through the visitors center - open March 28 through Labor Day. The magnificent first order Fresnel lens may be seen flashing its warning each night. Pieces of the original Cape Hatteras first order lens and an exhibit about lighthouse families can be seen at the visitor's center in the double keeper's house at the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Climbing the stairs is not permitted for safety reasons. For information call 252.441.5711.

	`The Ocracoke Lighthouse`, built in 1823, is the southernmost lighthouse on the Outer Banks. To get to the Ocracoke Lighthouse, drive south on NC 12 to the town of Hatteras; then take the free ferry (40 minute ride) over to the island. The town of Ocracoke and it's lighthouse are 14 miles further south on NC 12. Visitors are allowed to park and walk to the base. The Ocracoke Light is slightly off center and crooked - you're eyes aren't deceiving you! Behind the light is a fascinating small cemetary. The 75-foot lighthouse is currently operated by the Coast Guard and is not open to the public, but you may stop by the visitors center near the ferry terminal - open March 28 through Labor Day from 9am to 5pm. For information call 252.928.4531.