Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
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4.6(161)yelp
Historic BuildingCoastScenic LookoutFamilyOutdoorPhoto SpotOcean ViewWorld RecordMust-SeeEducational
Overview
Cape Hatteras Light is a lighthouse located on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks in the town of Buxton, North Carolina originally built in 1802 and relocated twice due to coastal erosion. It is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It is the tallest lighthouse in the U.S. from base to tip at 210 feet.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimeAn early morning visit between 5:30 AM and 7:00 AM at sunrise from May to September is highly recommended. The rising sun lifts directly over the Atlantic horizon, painting this tallest American brick lighthouse and the surrounding National Seashore in dramatic pastel hues.
Getting TherePerched at 46379 Lighthouse Rd in Buxton on the Outer Banks. No public transit is available; driving is mandatory. Travel south along the spine of the Outer Banks on NC Highway 12 (NC-12 S) into Buxton, then turn left onto Lighthouse Rd straight to the massive free parking loops.
Travel Tips
- The historic lighthouse is undergoing a multi-year structural and masonry restoration; climbing the spiral stairs is completely suspended indefinitely. Outdoor paths, the museum, and gift shops operate normally.
- Parking is 100% free; however, because the site borders the National Seashore wilderness, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes nest in the dunes. Walking off designated boardwalks into brush is strictly illegal.
Photo Tips
Best LightThe lighthouse orientation requires morning slots (06:30-08:30) to photograph the spiral stripes free of harsh building shadow blocks; the park is an International Dark Sky zone, perfect for midnight Milky Way photography.
Reviews
Positive
- The iconic black-and-white spiral 'candy cane' stripes provide strong visual appeal; as America's tallest brick lighthouse, it's rich in history.
- The historic keepers' quarters are perfectly preserved as a museum, giving great detail on the massive relocation engineering feat.
- The surrounding national seashore environment is pristine and tranquil, with sweeping wild beaches just steps away, perfect for strolls.
- Parking is ample and completely free; the multilingual brochures and on-site National Park Rangers offer warm, professional guidance.
Heads up
- It frequently undergoes massive periodic restoration projects covered in scaffolding, which blocks climbing and ruins the exterior photo value.
- Climbing the narrow, winding 200+ iron stairs inside during summer can feel suffocatingly hot and claustrophobic due to a lack of A/C.
- Remote location situated far down the Outer Banks strip; it requires a long drive down a single highway that easily bottlenecks during accidents.
- The ticketing and flow management for climbing during peak season is inefficient; tickets sell out early in the morning, and gift shop prices are high.