Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Like Bill W. said, coming here is great even in the offseason with no climbing going on.
We were down the week after Christmas and climbing had been done for the season since mid-​October but that didn’t detract at all from the experience and if anything it was even more enjoyable because of the calm and quiet that pervaded the entire area.
The visitor center as always was well stocked with every book, magnet, key chain and calendar you could ever want including a small clearance section where they were blowing out 2014 stuff for half off.
One negative worth mentioning is that during the offseason there are no ranger programs going on because by in large there are no rangers to be found. When we were at Fort Raleigh two days prior the Eastern National employee who was alone told us that the only rangers in the area at this time of year were at Hatteras and she indeed was correct. We went to the Bodie Island visitor center and again, no rangers. The visitor center here also had no rangers as the three on duty were all in the modular trailer next to the visitor center processing ORV permits of which there were a few getting done but three rangers for this task was overkill. But I digress.
The offseason is also a great time to go a little bit up 12 and park at one of the many beach access points and just take a long walk as more than likely you’ll be the only ones for seemingly miles in every direction.
Go in season for all the bells and whistles that the NPS offers with talks, walks and climbing but go during the offseason to truly understand and get a feeling of oneness with the area.

This is one of the lighthouse you see many pictures of. It is quite majestic & has a long history.
I was excited to visit Hatteras Light House. Unfortunately due to weather, the group in front of us, was the last group allowed inside.
It’s site is very close to where many people surf. The roads close has the built up dunes & sea oats.
There is a side building, with all the educational material you could want on the lighthouse.
She is beautiful & magnificent. I can’t remember the year, but she was moved a short distance, I believe for the sake of preservation.
What’s a girl to do? I couldn’t get in bummer, but who needs an excuse to return to OBX?

Great even in the off season
After a hectic couple of months, decided to take a long weekend over Halloween Weekend and head for the Outer Banks.
On Sunday, ended up at the Hatteras Lighthouse. Unfortunatley could not climb the lighthouse because that activity had already closed. Nevertheless, Visitor Center was still open and provided great information.
Everything is beautiful and a lot of scenic vistas. At dusk, wildlife emerge from the surrounding woods and make a grand entrance.
In many way, this is the perfect time to visit. No crowds, no commotion and time to just contemplate everything and enjoy the surroundings and relax.

If you’re in any way out of shape, believe me, you’ll feel it after climbing 12 stories of twisty lighthouse steps. Take your time, it’s not a race. I made it up in pretty good time, and the view is spectacular.
The guides at the bottom, middle and top are all very well informed and there to answer your questions. A small fee to climb, helps pay for maintenance for the grounds and the staffing. A lovely place for a picnic as well!
Going down was a challenge, harder than going up, so work those hamstrings! A must see for anyone who visits the OBX

It’s the tallest lighthouse in the US. You’ve driven the 1.5 hours or so from the Kitty Hawk area. You might as well drop by and see it.
There’s a minor fee to climb up, but you might as well. It’s a very nice view. Go early in the morning before the rest of the tourists get there and before it gets very hot. The ventilation inside the lighthouse is minimal.

Loved the lighthouse. Very pretty! Do not use the directions provides on Unilocal.They’re the old ones where the lighthouse once sat before it was moved.

I love lighthouses and this one is iconic! I wasn’t interested in going to the top, think it’s 8 bucks to take the tour and go to the top, exactly 248 steps they say. I was more interested in taking pictures and it was cool
the ranger let me enter into the first floor and snap a few photos, very kind of her. This is right by the beach too and they do have a museum at no cost which is quite interesting in itself. This is well worth the time visiting, easy to get to and all the Rangers were very friendly and helpful. Nice gift shop as well, always find the national park gift shops always have the best postcards! It was easy to walk all around and take pics from many different standpoints. Parking wasn’t bad either, got there close to 4 pm on a Friday and had no trouble finding a spot. The drive along 12 is gorgeous in itself. Really like the outer banks!

How can you not give 5 stars on this amazing peice of history! Absolutely amazing. Where to begin… At 8 years old it was amazing. At 44 years old it is much much more. Seemed and still seems larger than life. I remember when they were raising money to move it due to the erosion of the sand banks. I remember on TV watching them move it little by little. Took about 3 weeks though they thought it would take longer. That in itself is amazing. Moving a 200 year old lighthouse. I came here thinking it would not be the same anymore… but it is. It’s beautiful. They moved the oil house (old book store) and museum also and it is a nice placement. They turned the oil house into an employee building and built a new structure for the book store. It’s so nice. Board walks and bathrooms and a pavillion where they have Rangers speak on topics every couple of hours. I sat in on one called something like The Wars on the Seas. That’s not it but a very nice Ranger spoke to us at length about the history of the area. Revolutionay War, Civil War, World War I. This location, OBX, played a big role in all of those whether planning or defending. Securing Resources! This guy was great. And funny. Had a super time listening to him speak.
Oh…Did I walk up to the top of the Lighthouse? No. It was thundering and they do not allow people up there until 30 min after the last rumble of thunder. Fine by me though I wanted to do it. I had a really nice day. Too bad my kids chose to lay around the house with the rest of the family! :-)

Absolutely recommend! A must see if you’re in the outer banks area! This lighthouse was one of the most beautiful I’ve seen! Very convenient to get to, right off the main road and its beach was spectacular.
This lighthouse also has a gift shop, museum and the structure that the lighthouse keeper used to stay in. Also you can purchase a ticket and walk up… when the sun is starting to set they turn on the light :-D
We didn’t mean to plan to be their for the sunset but I would encourage you to if you can. We got some of the best pictures on the beach as the sun was going down with the lighthouse in the background — breathtaking! Pretty much what you think of when you think NC coast :-))

I should have come here much earlier… Now after 18:00, some ppl are still here and some more ppl are coming here. Any secrets events or just that good as it is…

While driving up and down Hwy 12, make sure to visit Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It’s very picturesque. All black and white with red on the bottom. It’s easy to park, easy to walk to.
You can pay to view the inside and walk up the stairs and out onto an observation area. Not all lighthouses let you go inside because they are private.