Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 when visiting parks and recreational facilities
Current Status of Park Operations and Facilities
Face Masks are required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including at gathering points while waiting to board the ferry and during the ferry trip as well as on narrow or busy trails, beaches, and in historic homes. We are fortunate to have plenty of open beaches where you can spread out and not have to wear a mask while fishing, shelling, swimming, and other beach activities. Masks are necessary where ever you cannot maintain 6 feet of distance between groups.
Barrier Islands: South Core Banks, Shackleford Banks, North Core Banks
South Core Banks OPEN Camping by tent, shelling, fishing allowed. Check directly with the ferry service for their operational schedule. Drinking water availability -- water supply locations have been winterized. Visitors will need to supply their own drinking water.
Shackleford Banks OPEN Camping by tent, shelling, fishing allowed. Check directly with the ferry service for their operational schedule. Drinking water availability - no locations on the island. Visitors should bring their own supply.
North Core Banks OPEN Camping by tent, shelling, fishing allowed. Check directly with the Vehicle ferry for their operational schedule. Drinking water availability -- no potable water is available on the island. Visitors should bring their own supply.
Ferry Operations
Passenger ferry service from Beaufort and Harkers Island OPEN -- weather dependent
Vehicle ferry services -- CLOSED for season -- reopen in March
Check with the individual ferry service for operation schedules
Visitor Centers
Harkers Island Visitor Center OPEN Visitor Center Store OPEN
Light Station Visitor Center closed
Keepers' Quarters Museum closed for season -- reopen in March
Beaufort Visitor Information Center closed
Portsmouth Village Visitor Center closed (open intermittently through August 1)
Cape Lookout Lighthouse
Closed until further notice
Restrooms
Harkers Island Shell Point restrooms OPEN
Shackleford Banks restrooms closed for winter -- reopen in March
Light Station (Lighthouse Area) --
- soundside dock area restrooms closed for winter -- reopen in March
- oceanside pedestrian beach restrooms closed for winter -- reopen in March
Back road restrooms near the point of Cape Lookout closed for winter -- reopen in March
Great Island Cabin Camp -- South Core Banks
Cabins closed for winter -- reopen in March
Cabin office closed for winter -- reopen in March
Ice sales closed for winter -- reopen in March
Gas sales closed for winter -- reopen in March
Bath house closed for winter -- reopen in March
ORV dump station closed -- reopen in March
Long Point Cabin Camp -- North Core Banks
Closed for the 2021 season due to damage from Hurricane Dorian - no sales of ice or gas
Bath house: restrooms closed for winter -- reopen in March shower section closed for winter -- reopen in March; note: water is not potable, do not use for drinking
ORV dump station closed for winter -- reopen in March
Shell Point, Harkers Island
Nature trail OPEN (only during daylight hours)
Restrooms OPEN
