Bodie Island Lighthouse opens for daily climbing beginning Wednesday, May 24. Climbing opportunities at the 150 year old lighthouse were previously available four days a week. Climbing tickets can only be purchased online at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143.
Ranger Osekre leads a “Wind and Sand” program in this 2021 photo taken at Wright Brothers National Memorial. [NPS photo]
The National Park Service recently approved a plan to build a multi-use pathway in Buxton. Cape Hatteras National Seashore anticipates being able to open the first segment of the pathway next summer.
The 2023 season of The Lost Colonyopens Friday, June 2, at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site’s Waterside Theatre.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore provides the following tips to help visitors stay safe this year:
Swim at lifeguard beaches between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Text OBXBeachConditions to 77295 to sign up for beach-related weather and ocean condition alerts. Visitors can also view the daily rip current forecast at www.weather.gov/beach/mhx.
Avoid digging deep holes in the beach due to the danger they present to beachgoers, emergency response staff and wildlife.
Stay indoors during a thunder or lightning storm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Lighting the Way for 150 Years – Bodie Island Lighthouse
Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
Location: Meet on the back porch of the Keeper’s Quarters
Details: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.
Shaping These Barrier Islands
Dates: Daily from 2:30-3 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
Location: Meeting on the back porch of the Keeper’s Quarters
Details: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.
Crabbing with a Ranger
Dates: Tuesdays and Fridays from 9-10:30 a.m. (beginning June 6)
Details: Ever wanted to try your hand at catching blue crabs? Rangers bring the gear, you bring the bait. Call 252-966-1761 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program. There is a six-minute walk to get from meeting location to the program location.
Bodie Island Visitor Center
The Bodie Island Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing
Dates: Daily beginning May 24. First climb at 9 a.m. and final climb at 5:40 p.m.
Details: Climbing tickets are available only on the day of intended climb. Buy tickets at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143 (tickets are available to purchase online beginning at 7 a.m. daily; tickets cannot be purchased in person).
Hatteras Island
Educational Programs
Lighting the Way for Over 150 years
Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
Details: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and learn about restoration efforts.
Shaping These Barrier Islands
Dates: Daily from 2:30-3 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
Details: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.
Totally Turtles
Dates: Monday-Friday from 12-12:30 p.m. (May 29-Sept. 1)
Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion.
Details: Learn about sea turtles through interactive games and activities for all ages.
Kayak with a Ranger
Dates: Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30-10:30 a.m. (beginning June 8)
Details: Join a ranger to explore salt marshes and surrounding waters of the Pamlico Sound on this easy kayak program. Minimum age is 7. All equipment is provided. To register, you must call 252-513-2457 beginning the Saturday prior to the program.
Hatteras Light at Night
Dates: Tuesdays from 9-9:45 p.m. (beginning June 13)
Location: Park in the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking lot.
Details: Bring blankets and chairs for the evening of stars and stories on the grounds of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Surf Fish with a Ranger
Dates: Wednesdays from 8:30-10 a.m. (May 31-Aug. 30)
Details: Ever wanted to try your hand at surf fishing? Rangers bring the rods, you bring the bait. Call 252-513-2457 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.
Old Days at the Weather Station
Dates: Every other Wednesday from 2:30-3 p.m. (beginning July 12)
Location: Meet at the U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras Village.
Details: Come explore the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station and hear amazing stories that intertwine with our own lives and major historic events.
Soundside Explorers
Dates: Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m. (June 2-Sept. 1)
Details: Join a ranger for this activity-based exploration of the Pamlico Sound. Registration is required. Call 252-513-2457 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.
Museum of the Sea
The Museum of the Sea, located across from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is not open; however, the grounds outside the lighthouse are open 24/7.
Ocracoke Island
Educational Programs
Celebrating 200 Years of Service – Ocracoke Lighthouse
Dates: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11-11:30 a.m. (May 29-Aug. 30)
Location: Meet on the grounds of the Ocracoke Light Station
Details: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and the keepers that kept the light burning.
Shaping These Barrier Islands
Dates: Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30-3 p.m. (May 23-Aug. 29)
Location: Meet outside the Ocracoke Island Discovery Center
Details: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.
Bird Walk
Dates: Tuesdays from 8:30-9:30 a.m. (beginning June 6)
Location: Meet at the beach access parking lot adjacent to the Ocracoke Campground.
Details: An introduction to the birds of Ocracoke. Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available.
Banker Ponies
Dates: Wednesdays (start date and time to be determined-check website for updates)
Location: Meet outside the Pony Pasture.
Details: Come meet the ponies who once roamed as a wild herd and learn about their living history on Ocracoke Island.
Ocracoke Lighthouse
The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse is open for viewing daily from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Ocracoke Island Discovery Center
The Ocracoke Island Discovery Center is open daily from 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Educational Programs
Lost Colony Walking Tour
Dates: Daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
Location: Meet outside the Lindsay Warren Visitor Center
Details: Delve into the history and mystery surrounding England’s first attempt to establish a colony in the new world.
Forgotten Colony
Dates: Daily at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
Location: Meet in front of the Visitor Center.
Details: During the American Civil War, Roanoke Island became a haven for formerly enslaved people. Discover the successes and failures of the Freedmen’s Colony and the Civil War battle that shaped it.
Visitor Center
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site’s Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Educational Programs
Wind and Sand
Dates: Daily at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
Location: Meet outside the back doors of the visitor center
Details: Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the first powered flights. Discover why the Wright brothers chose Kitty Hawk for their flight experiments and what life was like on the Outer Banks.
Wright Legacy
Dates: Daily at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
Location: Meet at the tent across the parking lot from the Visitor Center.
Details: Twelve seconds was all the Wright brothers needed on Dec. 17, 1903, to show the world humans can fly. Those twelve seconds were just the start of aviation history and the Wright legacy. Explore the rest of the Wright story as you discover the impact that Wilbur and Orville had on history, the legacy they left behind and how they are remembered in the world today.
Visitor Center
The Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Text NPSOBX to 333111 for park text alerts
Text CAHAORV to 333111 for beach access text alerts
