Alerts & Conditions

Alerts

Current Status of Park Operations and Facilities.

Barrier Islands: South Core Banks, Shackleford Banks, North Core Banks:

South Core Banks OPEN Camping, shelling, fishing allowed. Check directly with the ferry service for their operational schedule. Drinking water availability -- water supply locations at the restrooms near the lighthouse and at the Great Island Cabin camp OPEN from March until November. Visitors should bring their own drinking water supply during the winter months.

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, 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 OPEN - weather dependent.
Check directly with the ferry service for daily operational schedule -- Spring/Fall schedule ferries leave once an hour; summer schedule ferries are leaving every 1/2 hour. Some variations to the schedule may occur.

Passenger ferry service from Harkers Island OPEN - weather dependent.
Check directly with the ferry service for daily operational schedule.

Vehicle ferry services OPEN until December 31st
Check with the individual ferry service for operation schedules

Visitor Centers:

Harkers Island Visitor Center OPEN Visitor Center Store OPEN; Closed on Sundays
Holiday hours: Thanksgiving Day CLOSED; Christams Eve and Christmas Day CLOSED; New Years Eve and New Years Day CLOSED

Light Station Visitor Center CLOSED Visitor Center Store CLOSED
Keepers' Quarters MuseumCLOSED
Portsmouth Village Visitor Center CLOSED

Cape Lookout Lighthouse: Closed until further notice

Restrooms:

Harkers Island Shell Point restrooms OPEN
Shackleford Banks restrooms CLOSED
Light Station (Lighthouse Area):

  • soundside dock area restrooms CLOSED
  • oceanside pedestrian beach restrooms CLOSED

Back road restrooms near the point of Cape Lookout CLOSED

Great Island Cabin Camp -- South Core Banks

Cabins CLOSED
Cabin office CLOSED everyday from 8:00am to 3:00pm, weather permiting
Ice sales CLOSED everyday from 8:00am to 3:00pm, weather permiting
Gas sales CLOSED everyday from 8:00am to 3:00pm, weather permiting
Bath house CLOSED
ORV dump station CLOSED

Long Point Cabin Camp -- North Core Banks
Closed due to damage from Hurricane Dorian - no sales of ice or gas

Bath house: restrooms CLOSED; shower section CLOSED
Note: Water is not potable (drinkable)
ORV dump station CLOSED

Shell Point, Harkers Island

Nature trail OPEN (only during daylight hours)
Restrooms OPEN

Last updated: January 11, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

131 Charles St
Harkers Island, NC 28531

Phone:

252 728-2250

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