Bodie Island Lighthouse
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- The National Park Service provides visitors the unique opportunity to climb the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Tours are a great way to experience these historic structures!
- Bodie Island Lighthouse is open seasonally for self-guided tours.
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse may not be open for climbing due to ongoing restoration efforts.
- Climbing tickets can only be purchased on the day of your intended climb. The lighthouse will be open for climbing 7 days a week beginning May 24th, 2023. Tickets go on sale daily at 7 a.m. Tickets may not be purchased for future dates.
- Please be at the base of the lighthouse 5 minutes before your ticket time. No refunds for no shows or late arrivals..
- There is a 260 lb weight limit for climbers at the Bodie Island Lighthouse.
- Please call (252) 475-9018, hours are 7:00 am - 5:30 PM EST. if you have questions.
Tours may be cancelled if weather conditions are unsafe (i.e., high winds, storms, and/or lightning in the area). Visitors will receive a refund for any canceled tour minus the non-refundable reservation fee.
- The National Park Service provides visitors the unique opportunity to climb the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Tours are a great way to experience these historic structures!
- Bodie Island Lighthouse is open seasonally for self-guided tours.
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse may not be open for climbing due to ongoing restoration efforts.
- Climbing tickets can only be purchased on the day of your intended climb. The lighthouse will be open for climbing 7 days a week beginning May 24th, 2023. Tickets go on sale daily at 7 a.m. Tickets may not be purchased for future dates.
- Please be at the base of the lighthouse 5 minutes before your ticket time. No refunds for no shows or late arrivals..
- There is a 260 lb weight limit for climbers at the Bodie Island Lighthouse.
- Please call (252) 475-9018, hours are 7:00 am - 5:30 PM EST. if you have questions.
Tours may be cancelled if weather conditions are unsafe (i.e., high winds, storms, and/or lightning in the area). Visitors will receive a refund for any canceled tour minus the non-refundable reservation fee.
Need to Know
- Safety and Rules
- Please be at the base of the lighthouse 5 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. No refunds for no shows or late arrivals.
- Children must be at least 42" tall and will be measured prior to climbing. Children must be capable of climbing all steps on their own. Keep in mind that some children may not enjoy the dark, sometimes claustrophobic environment.
- Children 11 years of age or younger must be accompanied by an adult who is 16 years of age or older.
- No person may be lifted or carried.
- There is a 260 lb weight limit per person.
- Running, jumping, or stomping on stairs and landings is not allowed.
- Do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew tobacco in the lighthouse.
- No pets, other than service animals will be allowed.
- Do not arrive in heels over 1.5 inches high or with bare feet.
- Leave umbrellas in your car.
- Backpacks, tripods, coolers, beach bags, and other bulky items also need to be left in your car.
- Throwing any object off of the lighthouse is unsafe and prohibited.
- What to Expect
- The Bodie Island Lighthouse has 219 steps from the ground to the balcony level--equal to climbing a 10-story building. The spiral flights of narrow stairs have a handrail only on one side.
- There is no air conditioning and no elevator in the lighthouse. It may be noisy, humid, and hot inside the lighthouse. Visitors with heart, respiratory or other medical conditions, or who have trouble climbing stairs, should use their own discretion as to whether to take this tour.
- Climbers are welcome to bring water in a non-glass sealable container.
- There is no lighting inside the lighthouse so climbers should bring a flashlight on this tour.
Booking Windows
The Lighthouse will open this year for self-guided tours on April 26th, 2023. Tours are currently scheduled 7 days a week with climbs scheduled every 20 minutes from 9:00 AM to 12:20 PM and 2:20 PM until 5:40 PM. A maximum of 8 tickets are sold for each 20 minute tour time. Tickets must be purchased the day of your climb and go on sale at 7AM each day. Advanced tickets cannot be purchased.
Changes and Cancellations
Refunds will only be given if your tour is cancelled. Be at the base of the lighthouse 5 minutes prior to your ticket time. No refunds for no shows or late arrivals.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 1401 NATIONAL PARK DRIVE MANTEO NC 27954
Phone Number
CAPE HATTERAS LIGHT HOUSE: 252-475-9602. BODIE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE: 252-475-9018.
