Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 when visiting parks and recreational facilities
Current Status of Park Operations and Facilities
Following the most recent CDC guidance for areas of Low or Medium community transmission; the use of face masks is now optional within Cape Lookout National Seashore.
People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms (even if you think it is a cold), a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
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 CLOSED until spring. Visitors should bring their own drinking water supply.
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 to the lighthouse area is suspended until winter storm damage to the ferry dock can be repaired.
Vehicle ferry services -- CLOSED -- until mid-March
Check with the individual ferry service for operation schedules
Visitor Centers -
Harkers Island Visitor Center OPEN Visitor Center Store OPEN
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 Museum Closed
Beaufort Visitor Information Center Closed
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
Ice sales Closed
Gas sales Closed
Bath house Closed
ORV dump station Closed
Long Point Cabin Camp -- North Core Banks
Closed for the 2022 season 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 -
