Cape Hatteras National Seashore

---

Operating Hours & Seasons

The park is open year round. Park visitor centers at Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras, and Ocracoke are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, September through May (except for Christmas) and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer.

Getting There

Plane
The Norfolk, VA (ORF)Airport is 100 miles distance. Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU) Airport is 200 miles distance.

Car
There are three major accesses to NC Highway 12, which is the only major route through the park. From the north, US Highway 158 accesses the Outer Banks at Kitty Hawk, and then intersects NC Highway 12 at the park's northern entrance below Nags Head, NC. From the west U.S. Highway 64-264 comes over Roanoke Island, and intersects NC Highway 12 at the park's northern entrance. NC Highway 12 may be used from the south (ferry transportation and reservations required; call 1-800-BY FERRY) from Morehead City/Beaufort NC area.

Public Transportation
State-operated toll ferries access the park's southern entrance at Ocracoke Island from Cedar Island or Swan Quarter (call 1-800-BY-FERRY). Bus service may be available at Elizabeth City, NC.



Getting Around

Personal vehicle, bicycle (a partial bike path exists along some stretches of Highway 12; use caution on busy two-lane highway). There are a variety of short trails in the park, as well as long stretches of pristine beach. ORV access to the beach is permitted in several areas.