Outer Banks lighthouse climbing season has begun. Of the four Outer Banks lighthouses, only two are open for climbing this year, but you can still visit the sites of the ones you can’t climb. It's still fun to visit the sites and take pictures. At all four lighthouses, you will learn about Outer Banks maritime history and see why people love the Outer Banks lighthouses so much.
Photo: Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla is the northernmost lighthouse on the Outer Banks.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Corolla
Currituck Beach Lighthouse has been standing over Corolla village since 1875. It’s a red brick, unpainted lighthouse that stands 162 feet tall from the ground to the top. If you want to climb, it’s 220 steps to the top. It could take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes to get the top, depending on how fast you climb and if you stop to read the informational panels along the way. There are nine landings for peeking out the windows and resting. Once the top, you can walk out on the landing of an amazing view of the northern Outer Banks, from the ocean to the sound.
Climbing season: March 23 to November 30
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How to get tickets: Easy. Show up at the front door (you will probably have to wait in line in season). Cash, checks and cards are accepted.
Admission: $13 to climb for ages 4 and older. Children ages 0 to 3 go for free.
Ages: Climbers must be at least 4 years old. Children ages 0 to 3 can go to the top in a carrier or backpack.
Other buildings on site: You can go inside the lighthouse and the museum shop, which is housed in the smaller Keeper’s Quarters. The larger Keepers’ Quarters is not open to the public.
What to do nearby: A visit to Currituck Beach Lighthouse should be part of a daytrip to Corolla because there is a lot to do nearby. Within a short walk of the lighthouse, you can visit the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, Currituck Maritime Museum, Whalehead in Historic Corolla, Historic Corolla Park, boardwalks and Historic Corolla Village, where you’ll find shops and places to eat. While in Corolla you may want to take a wild horse tour in which your guide will drive you in a 4WD vehicle to the beaches north of Corolla to see the Corolla wild horses.
More information: Currituck Beach Lighthouse | Come, Climb, and See The Light (obcinc.org)
Photo: Bodie Island Lighthouse is in Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the north side of Oregon Inlet.
Bodie Island Lighthouse
South of Nags Head
Located about 10 miles south of Nags Head, Bodie Island Lighthouse is on the northern end of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The current Bodie Island Lighthouse was built in 1872. The previous two Bodie Island Lights (c. 1847 and 1859) were built on Pea Island, south of Oregon Inlet, while this one was chosen for a site on the northern side of the north side of the inlet. Bodie Island Lighthouse is known for its horizontal black and white stripes. The lighthouse has more than 200 steps to the top, the equivalent of climbing a 10-story building. There are nine landings to rest along the way. At the top you’ll see views of the ocean, sound and open expanses of island landscape. Bodie Island Lighthouse also offers Full Moon Climbs on recreation.gov – if you can snag a ticket!
Climbing Season: April 19 to mid-October
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Climbing tickets: Plan well in advance! Start by creating your own recreation.gov account well before you plan to visit. Climbing tickets go on sale at 7 a.m. and may only be purchased on the same day of your intended climb. Tickets are only available for purchase here. Get there 5 minutes before your slotted time or you may lose your spot.
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens (62 or older), children (11 and younger) and the disabled.
Ages and limits: Children younger than 11 must be accompanied by someone age 16 or older. No one is allowed to be carried; you have to walk yourself. Climbers must weigh less than 260 lbs. and must be at least 42” tall.
Other buildings on site: The Keepers’ Quarters at Bodie Island Lighthouse house a museum and a visitors center. You will learn a lot about Outer Banks maritime history and lighthouses here. And the friendly staff can answer your questions about Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
What to do nearby: Bodie Island Lighthouse is in a somewhat remote stretch of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. On site is a great hiking trail and boardwalk with an overlook of the marsh. Across the street is the Coquina Beach Access and Bathhouse, which is lifeguarded in the summer. Down the road a few miles is Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, where you can shop, watch the charter boats come in in the afternoon, and soon eat a meal in their new restaurant. Be sure to drive over the Basnight Bridge, which crosses over Oregon Inlet. It’s one of the best views on the Outer Banks. On the south side of the bridge is a catwalk fishing pier.
More information: Lighthouse Climbs - Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Photo: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Cape Hatteras National Seashore is currently wrapped in scaffolding for repairs and will not be open for climbing this year.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Buxton
Unfortunately, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on Hatteras Island is closed for climbing this year and will likely not reopen until the summer of 2026. The lighthouse is currently undergoing restoration efforts. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was built from 1868 to 1870 and is the tallest traditional lighthouse in the United States. Its distinctive black and white diagonal stripes are covered up this year with scaffolding as part of its restoration. The lighthouse location by the ocean makes it exposed to salt air, high winds and intense sunlight, and repairs are needed. The National Park Service is repairing its deteriorated masonry, metal components, windows, marble flooring and lantern. Pediments, windows and missing interior doors will be restored, and the lighthouse will get a fresh coat of paint on the interior and exterior.
What to do nearby: You can still visit the Museum of the Sea and the Park store that’s onsite at the museum. You can also access the beach nearby or walk the Buxton Woods Trail or Open Ponds Trail. Buxton village is home to several restaurants and shops.
More information: Cape Hatteras Light Station - Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Photo: Ocracoke Lighthouse is a picturesque setting in the heart of Ocracoke village.
Ocracoke Lighthouse
Ocracoke village
Dating back to 1823, Ocracoke Lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in North Carolina and the third oldest in the United States. Ocracoke Lighthouse is not open to climbing. But you can visit the picturesque site and see the charming, white-washed lighthouse and its outbuildings. The lighthouse is only 75 feet tall, so it’s the shortest of the Outer Banks lighthouses. The lighthouse celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2023. You can take a virtual tour here.
What to do nearby: If you make the ferry ride over to Ocracoke Island to see the lighthouse, there is plenty more to do while you’re there. Ocracoke village is small and perfect for walking, biking or golf-carting. There are several restaurants, shops and historic sites around town plus an excellent walking trail known as Springers Point. The beach here is incredible, and there are watersports activities as well.
More information: Ocracoke Light Station - Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
