Cape Lookout National Seashore

Summers are warm, humid and buggy. Winter temperatures can go below freezing. Fall and spring have low humidity and are generally mild. Rainy periods occur throughout the year. Wear comfortable sportswear in season with a hat for the sun and good walking shoes that can take the sand and salt water.

Services available seasonally:
Ferry service to the park is generally offered from mid-March to the first weekend in December.
Cabin rentals are generally available from April 1st to the first weekend in December.

Ferry Rates vary with the individual ferry service. Rates will also vary with the season (lower in summer, higher in winter).

A wealth and variety of activities awaits you at Cape Lookout National Seashore. From birding, to camping, to fishing, to learning about the rich history of Cape Lookout Light Station -- there is something for everyone!

Shelling: Cape Lookout is an excellent place to explore for shells. A handbook can be very helpful when less common shells are found. A limit of two gallons of shells per day can be taken off the seashore. (Two gallons is about the size of plastic grocery bag.) Please do not take shells with the animals in them. Take only empty shells.

Ranger Programs: Daily interpretive programs are offered from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Program offerings are varied and take place at different locations throughout the park.

Swimming: There are no lifeguarded beaches in the park. All swimming is at your own risk. Swimming in the ocean is not the same as swimming in a pool or lake. Wind, waves, the change of the tide, the slope of the beach and other factors can cause strong currents to be present in the water even on the calmest days. Ocean conditions can change from day to day and from hour to hour. Before going in the water, spend a few moments watching the waves. Wave patterns are a good indicator of the presence of currents and where deep water and other "surprises" are located. Know what to expect before you go in the water.

Of special concern are rip currents (sometimes called rip tides or undertows). Certain weather conditions can make these currents stronger and more dangerous. During the summer the National Weather Service website posts a rip current forecast for area beaches. Weak swimmers and children are advised to stay out of the ocean when there is an increased threat of rip currents, and even strong swimmers should stay out of the ocean on dangerous days.

Fishing: Spring and fall at Cape Lookout offer what many consider to be the best surf fishing on the Atlantic Coast. Most of the beach and sounds are open to fishing. Fishing regulations, including seasons and licensing requirements are set by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries

Boating: Whether enjoying a day's windsurfing, paddling a kayak or canoe, camping out in a houseboat, or enjoying the fishing, boats are a part of Cape Lookout.

Camping: Primitive camping is allowed on the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Campers should prepare carefully for the natural conditions to be found at the park. Know before you go - check out the camping page for more detailed information.

Birding: Birding is a year-round activity at the seashore. Terns and herons are best seen in the summer. The spring and fall seasons are excellent times to view shorebirds, hawks, and songbirds. Ducks and geese are common during the winter months. A bird checklist (pdf document) is available for the park.

Horse watching: More than 100 wild horses, living in groups called harems or bands, roam free along the entire length and width of Shackleford Banks island. Since their location at any one time can't be predicted, visitors scan an area of the island with binoculars and then walk to within sighting distance. While mostly seen grazing peacefully, these wild horses can inflict serious kick and other wounds on each other and on anyone who ventures too close.

Trails/Hiking: There are no trails on the seashore, but many people do backpack or hike the islands. Be advised that walking can be difficult due to the soft sand. Sturdy walking/hiking shoes are recommended.

Hunting: A traditional use of the seashore has been waterfowl hunting in the fall. This practice continues under federal and state hunting regulations.

Ah, camping at the beach. Sea, sand, sun, brillant sunsets and dark skies. Swimming, surfing, fishing, clamming, crabbing and evening campfires. These are the things that memories are made of. The following information will insure that your camping trip to the seashore is a safe and enjoyable one.

There are no established campgrounds or campsites on the barrier islands and few other amenities, such as water pumps or toilets, available within the park's boundaries. You must bring everything you need and take all trash with you.

A camping permit is required. These permits are free of charge and are available at each of the park's visitor centers as well as self-serve permit stations on each of the islands. You may camp for up to 14 consecutive days.

The islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore are reachable only by boat. While many visitors take a ferry; most paddlers and sailors prefer to take their own boats across to the islands. Fishing, whether on the waters of Back Sound, Core Sound or out the inlet to the near-shore ocean waters, is also an enjoyable and rewarding activity. The steady winds that blow across the sounds make this an ideal area for windsurfers and kite-boarders as well.

Navigating the shallow waters of the sounds is a challenge. The average depth in the channel is about 5 feet, with the surrounding water averaging under 3 feet and filled with shoals. Tidal changes can make an area impassable at low tide. Knowing how to "read the water" as well as a chart is essential to safe boating. Here it is not a matter of "if" you'll go aground but more "when" and how hard. NOAA charts 11545 (Cape Lookout, Shackleford Banks, Barden and Beaufort Inlets) and 11550 (Ocracoke Inlet, Portsmouth, Core Banks) are key to knowing the waters.

National Park Service Areas

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located north of Cape Lookout. Cape Hatteras is a developed seashore area and has paved roads and villages with services located throughout.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Wright Brothers National Memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills, NC. From this site the Wright Brothers first flew their airplane. Ranger-led programs are conducted year-round at the visitor center.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is located in Manteo, NC, on Roanoke Island. The site of the reconstructed fort of the early English settlers transports the visitor back to life in the 16th century. Ranger-led programs are offered during the summer.

Moores Creek National Battlefield

Moores Creek National Battlefield is located near Wilmington, NC, where an important Revolutionary War battle occurred February 27, 1776. Ranger-led programs are offered on the weekends during the summer months.

Local Museums and Sites

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center:
Highlights the traditional lifestyle of those living "Down East" through exhibits and demonstrations.

North Carolina Aquarium:
Located in the town of Pine Knoll Shores, the aquarium is a showcase for the diverse natural and cultural resources of North Carolina's coastal environments.

North Carolina Maritime Museum:
This waterfront museum preserves the tradition of wooden boat building as well as other facets of North Carolina's maritime heritage.

Rachael Carson Reserve:
A component of the North Carolina National Estaurine Research Reserve, the islands of the reserve serve as a living laboratories for research, education and coastal management.

The History Place:
A museum and research library operated by the Carteret County Historical Society.

Beaufort Historic Site:
Depicts 18th and 19th century life in Beaufort. The site includes six restored buildings which are open for tours.