Contact Info
Harkers Island, NC 28531
- Phone:
- 252-728-2250
Basics
- Type:
- Other
Description
Take a boat trip three miles off-shore to the islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Here you can enjoy remote beaches, watch wild horses and other wildlife, or visit one of the historic districts. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch for the day. Going camping takes a little more planning.
Hours + Fees
Hours:
Cape Lookout National Seashore is open 24 hours and 365 days a year. Operating hours for visitor centers and other services will vary throughout the year.
Hours
Harkers Island Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed December 25 and January 1).
Light Station Visitor Center & Keepers' Quarters Museum are open from April to November and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Portsmouth Village Visitor Center is open from April to November (hours vary).
Park administrative offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (closed all government holidays).
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Harkers Island Visitor Center
Only one section of Cape Lookout National Seashore is reachable by car -- the Visitor Center 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.
Barrier Island Destinations
The islands within the seashore are reached only by boat, either your personal boat or one of the privately operated ferries.
Passenger ferries leave from the communities of Harkers Island, Beaufort, Morehead City and Ocracoke, NC. The ferries from Davis and Atlantic, NC can transport passengers and 4-wheel drive vehicles.
