Cape Lookout National Seashore Custom Search The seashore is a 56 mile long section of the Outer Banks of North Carolina running from Ocracoke Inlet on the northeast to Beaufort Inlet on the southeast. The three undeveloped barrier islands which make up the seashore - North Core Banks, South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks - may seem barren and isolated but they offer many natural and historical features that can make a visit very rewarding   CONTACTS Email - CALO_Information@nps.gov Fax- 252-728-2160 Write to 131 Charles St. Harkers Island, NC 28531 Phone Headquarters - (252) 728-2250 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Visitor Center on Harkers Island is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET (closed December 25 and January 1). Visitor Centers in the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters and in Portsmouth Village are open from April to November (hours vary). Private ferry service to the park offered mid-March to the first weekend in December. Park accessible by personal boat year round. Primitive cabin rentals available from April 1st to the first weekend in December. Getting There CAR - Cape Lookout National Seashore's Visitor Center is located on the eastern end of Harkers Island, approximately 20 mi (30 km) east of Beaufort, NC and 30 mi (50 km)south of the Cedar Island terminus of the North Carolina State Ferry route from Ocracoke Island to Cedar Island. From Beaufort: Take U.S. 70 east to Harkers Island Road (SR 1332/SR 1335). From Cedar Island: Take SR 12 south past the Atlantic turnoff to US 70 west. Continue on US 70 to Harkers Island Road (SR1332/SR 1335) . Follow Harkers Island Road until it terminates. On the left is the two-story visitor center. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Cape Lookout National Seashore is accessible only through private ferries leaving from Harkers Island, Davis, Atlantic, Beaufort, Morehead City and Ocracoke or your personal boat. Ferries leaving from the communities of Harkers Island, Beaufort, Morehead City and Ocracoke, NC carry passengers only. The ferries from Davis and Atlantic, NC can transport passengers and 4-wheel drive vehicles. For additional information call (252)728-2250, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM ET. After hours a recording will give you a list of the ferry operators. Weather & Climate 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. Accessibility Visitor Center on Harkers Island is accessible. Access to and on the banks is limited. Ferries are partially accessible, contact the individual ferry service for details. On the banks soft sand may hinder walking or wheelchairs. Steps in the historic buildings at Portsmouth Village and in the Keeper's Quarters may prevent easy access. At the southern end of the park there is a wooden walkway from the ferry dock to an observation platform at the beach and to the Keeper's Quarters by the lighthouse. Ease of access to this walkway is dependent on the phase of the tide. A standard wheelchair for boardwalk use and a beach wheelchair are available for rent on a first-come first-served basis at the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters. Getting Around Most people walk although personal 4-wheel drive and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are allowed on North Core and South Core Banks subject to State of North Carolina laws. All vehicle operators, ATVs included, must have a valid drivers license in their possession while driving a vehicle in the park. For those without a vehicle there are limited privately operated beach shuttle services available during the summer months. CAMPING Primitive Camping Open All Year Campers should be aware that all camping is in the primitive style. There is very little shade or shelter on the islands and no source for supplies. Campers must bring everything they need with them, including drinking water. Please pack out what you pack in. There is no trash pick up on the islands and buried trash resurfaces quickly in the beach environment creating a hazard for sea turtles and other wildlife. LODGING Alger Willis Fishing Camps Inc. Open from approximately April 1st through 1st week of December. There are twenty-one (21) individual, rustic cabins that vary in age and condition. Cabins sleep from four to twelve person’s bunk-bed style. Some cabins have screened porches. Most are wired for generator use. Visitors supply their own generator. Each cabin has a hot water heater, table, chairs, and a kitchen with cabinets, propane oven/stove combination and a private bath. Visitors need to provide their own linens, bedding and cookware. For More Information on this lodging please call (252) 729-2791 Morris Marina, Kabin Kamps and Ferry Service, Inc. Open from approximately April 1st through 1st week of December. There are twenty units with a sleeping capacity of six (6) bunk-bed style. Each unit has a hot water heater, individual propane heating system, lighting fixtures, a combination sleeping-eating area with ceiling fans, table, chairs, a kitchen with cabinets, oven/stove combination and a private bath. Each unit is approximately 500 sq. ft. Visitors need to provide their own linens, bedding and cookware. For More Information on this lodging please call (252) 225-4261   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Cape Lookout National Seashore.   Campgrounds Near Cape Lookout National Seashore: Coastal Riverside Campground, Beaufort, 2 miles away Long Creek Family Campground, Havelock, 15 miles away Cedar Creek Campground and Marina, Sealevel, 15 miles away The Landing RV Park, Sea Level, 16 miles away Driftwood Campground, Cedar Island, 18 miles away   Marinas Near Cape Lookout National Seashore: Cape Pointe Marina, Harkers Island , 3 miles away Airport Marina, Beaufort , 6 miles away Town Creek Marina, Beaufort , 6 miles away Olde Towne Yacht Club, Beaufort , 8 miles away Portside Marina Miramar Boats, Morehead City , 9 miles away   Hotels Near Cape Lookout National Seashore: Ann Street Inn, Beaufort , 6 miles away A Place at the Beach, Atlantic Beach , 10 miles away Core Creek Lodge, Beaufort , 10 miles away Quality Hotel Morehead City, Morehead City , 12 miles away Comfort Inn Morehead City, Morehead City , 12 miles away Econo Lodge Crystal Coast, Morehead City , 13 miles away Hampton Inn Morehead City NC, Morehead , 14 miles away   Trails Near Cape Lookout National Seashore: Neusiok Trail, Carteret County , 16 miles away   Beaches Near Cape Lookout National Seashore: Deer Field Shores, Carteret County , 7 miles away Bare Sand Beach, Carteret County , 7 miles away Pine Knoll Shores, Carteret County , 16 miles away   Whitewater Near Cape Lookout National Seashore: Whitewater Outfitter - Up The Creek Tours,, Carteret County , 4 miles away, Whitewater outfitter   Public Lands Near Cape Lookout National Seashore: Croatan National Forest, North Carolina , 32 miles away Hammocks Beach State Park, North Carolina , 40 miles away   Golf Courses Near Cape Lookout National Seashore: North River Club Golf Course, Beaufort , 5 miles away Brandywine Bay Country Club, Morehead City , 13 miles away Country Club Of Crystal Coast, Atlantic Beach , 15 miles away Links Golf Club, Havelock , 15 miles away