Begin your trip to Cape Lookout National Seashore with a visit to the park headquarters at the tip of Harkers Island, where you can view an informative video and obtain information about this unique park.

The Cape Lookout National Seashore is an undeveloped 56 mile long section of the Outer Banks between Ocracoke Inlet on the northeast and Beaufort Inlet on the southwest. The average width of the Banks in the park is half a mile. The only access is by private boat or commercial ferry.

Backpacking and primitive camping is allowed, though there are no designated campgrounds in the park. Some areas are closed to camping. Food is not available and fresh water is very limited, so plan ahead. Please carry out everything you bring into the park. Littering is illegal and buried trash does not stay buried, due to the constantly moving sand.

Vehicles may be driven on a network of approved roads that have been developed to protect the islands fragile ecosystems without limiting visitor mobility. Four-wheel drive is highly recommended and all vehicles left unattended for over 24 hours must be parked in an official parking area with a valid Cape Lookout vehicle permit.

Detailed information about driving and camping in the park, kayaking or canoeing in the waters of Core Sound, as well as information about local insects and endangered species inhabiting the park are available at the Visitor Center.

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse, with its characteristic checkered pattern is the second lighthouse to overlook the Lookout Shoals. Completed and lit November 1, 1859, and painted with the distinctive pattern in 1873, it replaced the former lighthouse which was built in 1812 and was only 96 feet tall - an insufficient height to be effective in poor weather. John Loonam, in his book, Cape Lookout Lighthouse, says, "From the first lighting, seafarers' complaints were frequent and vocal. Ship Captains' main complaint was that they were in greater danger of wrecking from seeking the light than any danger it marked."

The current lighthouse is 163 feet in height (including the lightning rod atop the structure) and its light is visible for 19 miles. However, it has not been lit continuously! Only a year and a half after the new light was lit, lighthouses along the coast began to go out. During the Civil War, Confederate forces extinguished the lighthouses whenever Union forces advanced, denying them navigation tools.

After the surrender of Fort Macon in April, 1862, retreating Confederate soldiers attempted, unsuccessfully, to dynamite the tower. They did damage the lens and lantern, which was not restored to full capacity until 1868.

As for what happened to the tower of the original lighthouse, only legends remain. And legends, it appears, can sometimes replace history! According to John Loonam, the popular story about a mix-up in the painting schemes of the Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras lighthouses is a myth. It was not until after the paint was applied that folks realized that the "checker" design looked like diamonds. Though the Diamond Shoals are 80 miles away, no lighthouse service official has publicly promoted changing the design.

Other Cape Lookout National Seashore and Lighthouse Resources Online

Cape Lookout Lighthouse South Core Banks, Carteret County, North Carolina by John Loonam - a detailed history of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, with background on lighthouses in general.

Cape Lookout National Seashore - general information about the park and the local area, with links to accommodations and other local attractions.

Core Sound Kayaks - Kayak tours and rentals to explore the Core Sound.

Harkers Island, Cedar Island & Cape Lookout - General overview of the area.