National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a National Seashore in North Carolina. The NPS currently lists 3 active alerts (3 closures), 4 campgrounds and 5 visitor centers, and no entrance fee.

North Carolina National Seashore No entrance fee

Updated · NPS Data API

A beach landscape with the black and white spiraled lighthouse in the background
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse · Photo: NPS Photo (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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.”

Active alerts

3

Closures

3

Campgrounds

4

Visitor centers

5

Current alerts and closures

3 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 3 closures, 0 danger, 0 caution and 0 information.

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.

Posted or updated Oct 20, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

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.

Posted or updated Aug 16, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

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.

Posted or updated Aug 3, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.Parking or transportation fees may apply.

Things to do

Activities the NPS lists for Cape Hatteras.

Auto and ATVAuto Off-RoadingAstronomyStargazingCampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingRV CampingFishingSaltwater FishingFoodPicnickingHikingHunting and GatheringHuntingPaddlingCanoeingKayakingJunior Ranger ProgramSnorkelingSurfingSwimmingSaltwater SwimmingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park Store

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.

Park Grounds
DayHours
MondayAll Day
TuesdayAll Day
WednesdayAll Day
ThursdayAll Day
FridayAll Day
SaturdayAll Day
SundayAll Day

Weather: 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.

Contact and directions

Phone
2524732111
Email
[email protected]
Address
46375 Lighthouse Road, Buxton, NC 27920
Coordinates
35.4137, -75.6506· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor centerStandard hoursPhonePassport stamp
Bodie Island Visitor CenterDaily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM2524732111Yes
Hatteras Island Weather Bureau StationDaily: 9:00AM - 4:00PM(252) 473-2111Yes
Museum of the SeaDaily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM2524732111Yes
Ocracoke Island Discovery CenterMon 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Tue 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Wed 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Thu 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Fri 1:00PM - 5:00PM · Sat 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Sun 9:00AM - 5:00PM2524732111Yes
Whalebone Junction Information CenterDaily: 8:30AM - 5:00PM(252) 473-2111Yes

Campgrounds

CampgroundTotal sitesReservableFirst-comeRVsFeeReserve
Cape Point Campground2022020Yes, up to 40 ft$20Recreation.gov
Frisco Campground1171170Yes, up to 40 ft$28Recreation.gov
Ocracoke Campground1351310Yes, up to 40 ft$28Recreation.gov
Oregon Inlet Campground1071070Yes, up to 40 ft$28Recreation.gov

Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.

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More parks in North Carolina

Appalachian National Scenic TrailBlue Ridge ParkwayCape Lookout National SeashoreCarl Sandburg Home National Historic SiteFort Raleigh National Historic SiteGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkGuilford Courthouse National Military ParkMoores Creek National BattlefieldOvermountain Victory National Historic TrailTrail Of Tears National Historic TrailWright Brothers National MemorialAll in North Carolina

Nearest other NPS sites

Sources

  • Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
  • Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/caha/index.htm
  • Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.