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Planning Your Visit Cape Lookout National Seashore National Park Service Cape Lookout U.S. Department of the Interior Planning Your Visit Cape Lookout National Seashore consists of three undeveloped barrier islands extending for 56 miles along the North Carolina coast. These thin ribbons of sand serve as buffers for the North Carolina mainland. The park provides many opportunities for If you are driving from Cape Hatteras FISHING/BOATING recreation and enjoyment. It also National Seashore, you can take the During spring and fall , Cape Lookout serves as an outdoor classroom for state ferry from Ocracoke to Cedar offers what many consider to be some learning about a unique ecosystem, Island, NC. Advance reservations are of the best fishing on the Atlantic endangered species and geology of required and fees will be based on Coast. Most of the beach and sounds barrier islands. The lighthouse, historic vehicle size and type. Call 1-800- are open to fishing. There are no village, shipwrecks, and lifesaving BY-FERRY for more information. fishing piers at the park. There are no stations all are pieces of the park’s slips for boats at the park. There are past. There are no developed roads on charter boat services located in Cape Lookout National Seashore. Morehead City, Harkers Island, and HOURS Although driving on designated Atlantic Beach, NC. The park is open year round. You backroads is allowed. Vehicle ferries may want to start your visit at the are located in Atlantic, NC, and Cape Lookout Visitor Center, located Davis, NC. They charge a fee for on Harkers Island. Hours are 8:00 vehicle transportation. It is recom- a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (closed mended that you have a four-wheel December 25 and January 1). The drive vehicle if you plan to drive on WINDSURFING visitor centers at Portsmouth Village the beach. If you get stuck with your Many windsurfers use the area known and Cape Lookout Lighthouse are vehicle, towing fees can be very as Shell Point on the east end of only open from April through expensive. There are designated four- Harkers Island. November (hours vary). There are wheel drive ramps to reach the beach. no entrance fees. The Cape Lookout Closed sections are well marked. TRAILS/HIKING Lighthouse is closed to the public. Bicycling is prohibited due to soft There are no hiking trails on the sand. seashore, but many people do back- pack or hike the islands. Be advised ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES that walking can be difficult due to During the summer, programs are held soft sand. Sturdy walking/hiking shoes weekly at the North Carolina Mari- are recommended. time Museum by park staff to orient visitors to the park. Please contact the BIRDING park visitor center for more informa- Birding is a year-round activity at the tion. seashore. Terns and herons are best seen in the summer. Spring and fall ACCESS are excellent times to view shorebirds, Cape Lookout National Seashore is SWIMMING hawks and songbirds. Ducks and accessible only by private boat or Due to hazardous currents on the geese are common during the winter public ferry. These ferries depart from ocean side, swimming is not recom- months. Harkers Island, Morehead City, mended at the park. Swimming in the Beaufort, Atlantic, Davis and ocean is NOT the same as swimming Ocracoke. For more information on in a pool. Tides and rip currents are the ferry services to Cape Lookout, dangerous and can be fatal. There are please call 252-728-2250. no lifeguarded beaches at the park. WEATHER PLACES TO STAY Winter storms, called nor’easters, can ...Motels, hotels, rental cottages, Wright Brothers National Memorial is bring bitterly cold conditions and at and camping. located in Kill Devil Hills, NC. This is the site where the Wright Brothers times make roads in the area impas- sible due to rising water. The possi- On Harkers Island and Atlantic first flew their airplane. Ranger-led bilities of hurricanes exist June through Beach, NC, there are beach cottages programs are conducted year-round November. For current information for rent. at the visitor center. For more information call 252-995-6061. call 252-223-5737. There are hotels and motels located in Averages High Low Beaufort, Morehead City, Atlantic Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is January 52 38 Beach and Harkers Island, NC. located in Manteo, NC. This site has February 53 38 Please contact the local chamber of a reconstructed fort showing the life March 58 43 commerce at 1-800-786-6962 for of the first English settlers to the area. April 66 51 more information. The visitor center has a video and ranger-led programs are conducted May 74 60 June 80 68 There are concessioner provided during the summer. Call 252-473- July 84 72 cabins located on the national sea- 5772. At the fort is the Lost Colony August 83 71 shore. Some of the cabins have outdoor drama which is held during September 79 68 running water and generator-provided the summer months. October 71 59 electricity. You must bring linens, food November 63 49 and necessary supplies with you to Moores Creek National Battlefield, a December 55 40 the cabins. The cabins are located a Revolutionary War battle site, is considerable distance from the located near Wilmington, NC. Visitor BEWARE OF HEAT INJURIES! lighthouse or Portsmouth Village. You center, exhibits and ranger-led pro- A combination of high temperature must make your cabin reservations grams interpret the battle of February and high humidity creates a higher and with the concessioner. 1776. Call 910-283-5991 for more information. possibly dangerous “Apparent Temperature.” Heat cramps, heat For more information contact: exhaustion and heat stroke are North Core Banks from Atlantic, NC: WHAT TO BRING possible during elevated apparent Morris Marina and Kabin Kamps Recommended items to bring with temperatures. At an air temperature 1-252-225-4261 you are: insect repellant, drinking water, sunscreen, food, good walking of 90 F and a humidity of 80 percent, the Apparent Temperature is 113 F. South Core Banks from Davis, NC: shoes and a hat. Please do not bring Enjoy the seashore, but limit your Alger Willis Fishing Camps, Inc. metal detectors or fireworks. physical activity and exposure during 1-252-729-2791 FOR MORE INFORMATION... days of high heat and humidity. Primitive camping on the seashore is North Carolina Tourism Bureau allowed. You may camp anywhere 1-800-847-4862 For more information: except within 100 yards of any cabin or house. Campfires are allowed Carteret Chamber of Commerce Cape Lookout National Seashore below the high tide line. Firewood on 252-726-6831 or 1-800-786-6962 131 Charles Street the islands is scarce and using a stove Harkers Island, NC 28531 is recommended. You can also check our web page at Private campgrounds can be found in www. nps.gov/calo/ the area and may offer utilities for trailers and recreational vehicles. Some are open on a year-round basis. Other National Park Sites: Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located north of Cape Lookout. Cape Hatteras is a developed seashore and has paved roads, and villages with services located throughout. Call 252-473-2111 for information..
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  • Foundation Document Overview, Cape Lookout National Seashore
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