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Short answer: Cape Hatteras National Seashore has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Fees apply to lighthouse climbs, camping and beach-driving permits. The NPS says the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will not be open for climbing in 2026, while Bodie Island Lighthouse climbing was listed for late April to early November 2026, Tuesday to Thursday only from October.
- Seashore entrance fee, per NPS$0
- Bodie Island Lighthouse climb, adult$10
- 10-day beach driving permit$50
- Hatteras Inlet ferry crossing, per NPS~70 min
How we checked: The National Park Service’s Cape Hatteras National Seashore fees, hours, lighthouse climbs, off-road vehicle permit, directions and conditions pages, and the NCDOT Ferry Division page. All read on November 3, 2026. Hours, prices, rules, closures and road status change, so check the named agency or business before you rely on them. Anything we could not read is marked Not confirmed where it appears. Ferry fares and schedules were not on the pages we could read. General guidance on this page is labelled as general guidance. This is not safety, medical or legal advice; where a safety or legal rule appears, the quoted words are the official source’s own.
What This Trip Is
The Outer Banks trip is a long drive along barrier islands, with the seashore running from the northern entrance in Nags Head down to Ocracoke Island. The NPS lists surf-fishing, kiteboarding, surfing, swimming, crabbing, shell-collecting and lighthouse-climbing among the things to do. This page covers the planning steps and the official rules. For the places themselves, see our Cape Hatteras and Bodie Island Lighthouse guide, the Outer Banks destination page and the Outer Banks long weekend.
Getting There
The NPS directions page says the northern entrance is at the junction of US Highway 64 and NC Highway 12 in Nags Head. The southern entrance is on NC-12 just north of Ocracoke Village and is “accessible by ferry only.” It names Norfolk International Airport as about 100 miles north and Raleigh-Durham International as about 200 miles west, with rental cars for the rest of the distance.
NC-12 is a state highway. The NPS explains that “NC-12 hotspots are locations where erosion has made the highway vulnerable to ocean overwash,” and that waves can leave deep water on the road, causing “travel delays or temporary closures.” Treat a storm or high-surf forecast as a reason to check road conditions before you start.
Lighthouse Climbing
What The NPS Says About Climbs and Fees
- Bodie Island Lighthouse“The Bodie Island Lighthouse will be open for climbing late April – early November 2026. From October through early November, climbing will only be offered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.” Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors (62 or older), children 11 and under, and the disabled.
- How tickets workTickets are first come, first served, sold only at recreation.gov at 7 am on the day of the climb and only for that day. You must be at the lighthouse at least 5 minutes before your ticket time, and no refunds are given for no shows or late arrivals.
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse“The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is currently closed for climbing and will not open in 2026, due to restoration efforts. Outdoor areas near the lighthouse are open 24/7.” The NPS restoration page was updated July 24, 2026.
- Rules to expectClimbers must weigh less than 260 lbs, be at least 42 inches tall, and no pets are allowed. The NPS calls climbs strenuous: Bodie Island has just over 200 steps, with no elevator or air conditioning.
- Weather closuresThe NPS says lighthouses “may close at any time if weather conditions are unsafe,” and ticket holders get an automatic refund within 48 hours of a canceled climb.
Driving on The Beach
Beach driving needs an off-road vehicle (ORV) permit. The NPS says permits are available “online only,” through Recreation.gov, with a 10-day permit at $50 and an annual permit at $120. You watch the ORV safety video, apply, then print the permit and proof-of-permit for the vehicle. The NPS says digital proof, including screenshots, is not acceptable; if you cannot print, you can fill out a self-certification card from outside a visitor center. The ORV Office number on the page is 252-475-9054. Our answer page, Can You Drive On The Beach At Cape Hatteras, links the same steps.
ORV Ramp Hours and Tires, as The NPS Lists Them
- October 1 to November 15“All priority and non-priority ORV ramps open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.” Sound-side ramps are open 24 hours a day.
- November 16 to December 31“All ORV ramps open 24 hours a day.” The NPS adds that areas or routes may be subject to temporary restrictions for safety or resource protection.
- Tire pressureBefore driving on designated routes the NPS “strongly recommend[s]” lowering tire pressure to at least 20 psi, and reinflating as soon as possible after returning to paved roads.
- Today’s accessRamps and routes open and close with nesting, weather and safety needs. Use the NPS beach access status on its alerts and conditions page. We do not repeat day-to-day status here.
Ocracoke Ferries
Ocracoke is reached by NCDOT ferry. Per the NPS directions page, the Hatteras Inlet ferry from Hatteras Village crosses in “roughly 70 minutes” and “reservations are NOT required.” The Cedar Island ferry takes roughly 2-1/4 hours and the Swan Quarter ferry roughly 2-1/2 hours, and for both the NPS says “reservations are required.” Those figures are the NPS’s, last updated October 14, 2026. For current schedules and delays use the NCDOT Ferry Division, which also offers a ferry notification system for text or email alerts. Our answer page, Do You Need A Ferry To Get To Ocracoke, covers the basic question.
What We Could Not Confirm
- Ferry fares and departure times: the NCDOT pages we read gave the notification system, not fares or schedules. Not confirmed
- Bodie Island Lighthouse climb times and whether any are left on your date. Not confirmed
- Today’s beach access and ramp status (updated by the NPS as conditions change). Not confirmed
- Visitor center hours: the NPS says they “vary based on the season” without listing them. Not confirmed
- The date the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will reopen for climbing: the NPS says only that it will not reopen in 2026. Not confirmed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entrance fee for Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
The NPS says there is no entrance fee. Fees are charged for camping, lighthouse climbs and ORV permits.
Can I climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in 2026?
The NPS says it will not open for climbing in 2026 due to restoration. The grounds near it are open 24/7, and Bodie Island Lighthouse is the one to climb, in season.
Do I need a reservation for the Hatteras ferry?
The NPS says reservations are not required for the Hatteras Inlet ferry, about 70 minutes. It says reservations are required for the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter ferries.
Sources
- NPS, Fees and passes, read November 3, 2026 (updated Jan 6, 2026)
- NPS, Operating hours and seasons, read November 3, 2026 (updated Sept 18, 2026)
- NPS, Lighthouse climbs, read November 3, 2026
- NPS, Off-road vehicle permits, read November 3, 2026 (updated Aug 1, 2026)
- NPS, Directions and transportation, read November 3, 2026 (updated Oct 14, 2026)
- NPS, Alerts and conditions, read November 3, 2026 (beach status updated Oct 30)
- NPS, Lighthouse restoration project, read November 3, 2026 (updated July 24, 2026)
- NCDOT Ferry Division, read November 3, 2026 (no fares or schedule on page)
- NCDOT, Ferry information notification system, read November 3, 2026
Read on November 3, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.
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Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras: Lighthouses, Beach Driving and Ferries”, itsnorthcarolina.com/visit/tours-and-day-trips/outer-banks-and-cape-hatteras/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.