Bodie Island Lighthouse
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
The National Park Service provides visitors the unique opportunity to climb the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Tours are a great way to experience these historic structures!
Bodie Island Lighthouse is open seasonally for self-guided tours.
Climbing tickets can only be purchased online at recreation.gov starting at 7:00 am on the day of your intended climb. Tickets may not be purchased for future dates.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse will be open for climbing 7 days a week starting April 18, 2025. The last seasonal climbing day will be on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Daily Lighthouse climb times are:
4/20 through 10/13 - Every 20 minutes 9:00am-5:00pm
Weekly Evening climbs times are:
Every Tuesday starting 9/2 through 10/7 - Every 30 minutes 7:00pm - 8:30pm
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.
Only one individual is permitted on each flight of stairs at a time; climbing in pairs or groups is not allowed.
The lifting or carrying of any person, including the use of child carriers, is strictly prohibited.
For general Bodie Island Lighthouse information 252-475-9501 (hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT); for Lighthouse climbing tickets 252-475-9054 (hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT).
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. Tours are a great way to experience these historic structures!
Bodie Island Lighthouse is open seasonally for self-guided tours.
Climbing tickets can only be purchased online at recreation.gov starting at 7:00 am on the day of your intended climb. Tickets may not be purchased for future dates.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse will be open for climbing 7 days a week starting April 18, 2025. The last seasonal climbing day will be on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Daily Lighthouse climb times are:
4/20 through 10/13 - Every 20 minutes 9:00am-5:00pm
Weekly Evening climbs times are:
Every Tuesday starting 9/2 through 10/7 - Every 30 minutes 7:00pm - 8:30pm
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.
Only one individual is permitted on each flight of stairs at a time; climbing in pairs or groups is not allowed.
The lifting or carrying of any person, including the use of child carriers, is strictly prohibited.
For general Bodie Island Lighthouse information 252-475-9501 (hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT); for Lighthouse climbing tickets 252-475-9054 (hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT).
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.
Only one individual is permitted on each flight of stairs at a time; climbing in pairs or groups is not allowed.
The lifting or carrying of any person, including the use of child carriers, is strictly prohibited.
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.
Booking Windows
The Bodie Island Lighthouse is open seasonally (mid-April to mid-October) for self-guided tours. When open, tours are scheduled 7 days a week with climbs scheduled every 20 minutes from 9:00 AM to 5:00 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
FOR GENERAL BODIE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE INFORMATION 252-475-9501; FOR LIGHTHOUSE CLIMBING TICKETS 252-475-9054.
