National Seashore

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Cape Lookout National Seashore is a National Seashore in North Carolina. The NPS currently lists 1 active alert (1 closure), 3 campgrounds and 4 visitor centers, and no entrance fee.

North Carolina National Seashore No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

: Black & white patterned tower of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse stands against a blue & white cloud f — Cape Lookout Lighthouse · Photo: NPS photo (via nps.gov)

About the park

“A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic villages--there’s something for everyone at Cape Lookout.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/calo

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

1 active NPS alert as of Oct 28, 2026: 1 closure, 0 danger, 0 caution and 0 information.

Closure

Passenger Ferry Dock Closed; Visitors Deboard via Beach Landing

The ferry dock servicing the Cape Lookout Lighthouse area is closed for repairs. Visitors will deboard the ferry in front of the lighthouse. To reach the boardwalk, visitors will need to walk 5–10 minutes on soft sand. Depending on the tide, visitors may also need to walk through water.

Posted or updated May 26, 2026 ·Park conditions 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

The Milky Way arches across the night sky above the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Keepers' Quarters — Photo: NPS photo/Alex Gu

Night Skies at Cape Lookout

Cape Lookout National Seashore is a sanctuary for natural darkness on the East coast of the United States. Take this chance to stargaze, and experience the half of the park that many of us miss - nighttime.

Year-round Pets allowed

Stargazing

Kayak or Canoe Core Sound and Back Sound

The islands of this North Carolina park lie between two and three miles from the mainland. At this distance, even novice paddlers can cross the open waters of Core Sound and Back Sound under good conditions.

Year-round Pets allowed

Kayaking

Activities the NPS lists for Cape Lookout.

Auto and ATVATV Off-RoadingAuto Off-RoadingAstronomyStargazingBoatingCampingBackcountry CampingCanoe or Kayak CampingFishingSaltwater FishingHunting and GatheringHuntingPaddlingCanoeingKayakingJunior Ranger ProgramSwimmingSaltwater SwimmingWildlife WatchingShoppingBookstore and Park Store

Operating hours

Cape Lookout National Seashore has 3 offshore barrier islands that are open 24 hours and 365 days a year (weather permitting).

Cape Lookout National Seashore
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: Spring: Temperatures generally range from 50 F to 70+ F. Rain & wind are common Summer: Temperatures usually range from 80 F to 100 F with high humidity (80-90%). Average wind speed is 10-15 mph.

Contact and directions

Phone: 2527282250
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1800 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531
Coordinates: 34.8268, -76.3432· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Great Island Cabin Office	Daily: 8:00AM - 3:00PM	252-728-2250	Yes
Harkers Island Visitor Center	Daily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM	2527282250	Yes
Light Station Visitor Center	Daily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM	252-728-2250	Yes
Portsmouth Visitor Center	Daily: 9:00AM - 4:00PM	252-728-2250	Yes

Campgrounds

Campground	Total sites	Reservable	RVs	Fee	Reserve
Great Island Cabin Camp	23	23	No	$80	Recreation.gov
North Core Banks - Beach Camping	0	0	Yes	Free	—
South Core Banks -- Beach camping	0	0	Yes, up to 54 ft	Free	—

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 Trail Blue Ridge Parkway Cape Hatteras National Seashore Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guilford Courthouse National Military Park Moores Creek National Battlefield Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail Wright Brothers National Memorial All 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/calo/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.