Cape Hatteras National Seashore Reviews

The drive to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is beautiful and nice to see so much untouched by tourist attractions,etc. and just let the raw beauty of the area speak for itself.

I love Cape Hatteras National Seashore. We always stay in Frisco or in Hatteras Village. There is nothing quite like driving your truck out on the beach with your pups to enjoy an entire day of sun. Love Cape Point for fishing and shelling. It is a very dog friendly place. We also don't look to others for our entertainment, so we really enjoy the low key quiet atmosphere. Restaurants can be a little costly but we rarely eat out so this is no issue for us. It is such a peaceful place. We have changed out vacationing times to accommodate nesting season to ensure most accesses are open when we are here. Many things have changed through the years but there is still no place else I would rather be.

Lots of people fishing on the beach. Did find lots of seashells. Parked and walked on to the beach. Was a easy walk and the kids didn't complain much.

I made it my mission to climb the light house on my first try. I made it but know your limits when climbing.

Like most NPS sites, Cape Hatteras did not disappoint. I spent the morning at the Bodie lighthouse, making the climb to the top. The view was phenomenal and breathtaking. The rangers were knowledgeable and responsive to questions. I continue to be thrilled that places like this in our country and protected and preserved.

This is not for city lovers, here it's all about nature, the ocean, the beach and yes even the lighthouse. You can drive for miles with no buildings and only sand drifts on the road. You come to a town now and then but really no commercialization. Occasionally you come to a parking area where you can walk over to the uninhabited beach. Sometimes there are a few fishermen in the distance but many times it's just you and the Atlantic, at least in the off season. There are areas to drive on the beach as well. It's truly rejuvenating not to mention breathtaking!

This is our 3rd year visiting the OBX..I'm not to keen on the hustle and bustle of Kittyhawk, Nags head etc. So Cape Hatteras is the perfect escape..passing Bodie Island lighthouse on the way in gives me a feeling of home and the drive through all the villages is nice and relaxed..truly is no place I would rather be!!

In our opinion, this area is the best of the Outer Banks. The area is serene with beautiful clean beaches, and white sand. Most people don't take the time to explore Cape Hatteras and I can tell you, they are missing out. Don't be one of those people.

Our tour of all the. Lighthouses in obx was awesome. We loved everyone of them. Will come again when I can

My experience on the Seashore was one of being a child again. Playing in the sand. Listening to the birds. Watching the crabs. Walking in the water. Shelling. Thank you.

Come prepared to lower your tire pressure and drive the beach. DEEP sand. Lots of fishing and fishermen.

We pulled off the side of the road, climbed a dune and had an amazing, private ocean experience. No one in sight off-season, but the weather was nice enough in May to walk into the ocean knee-deep for a few minutes. Very special place.

Several years ago, this beautiful lighthouse was moved to its present location. Also located on the well kept premises is the national park office and gift shop. You can purchase several things here, such as 'driving on the beach' permits, senior national parks pass, etc. There is a charge to climb the lighthouse.

Hike to the top for breath talking views. Climb is not bad , windy at the top , well worth the climb. Grounds and keepers house very nice , very informative.

Miles of beach all to ourselves. Many small towns along the way to explore when you want to break from the sand

I will live and die by my opinion that this is the best beach in the USA, hands down. Miles and miles of nearly untouched, natural, beautiful beach. If you enjoy beaches (for the beaches, not the clubs or bars or party scene), it’s really hard to find something you won’t love about Cape Hatteras. If you do like the young/hip/luxe experience (a la Panama City Beach, etc), you honestly should look for a different beach because this isn’t it - and I love it because it isn’t.

The fishing is prime year-round. It doesn’t take a fancy rig to catch a lot of fish here if you drop into one of many tackle shops and ask for tips.

Dotted along the seashore are the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Frisco, Buxton, and Hatteras. Every village has it own sort of charm, but all make wonderful places to start a peaceful week on the beach.

Many miles of off-road vehicle access allow beach cruising to your hearts content (air down first though - getting stuck isn’t fun!). It’s not at all unusual to cross the dunes on the many ORV ramps and see a dotted line of pickups with popup shades and fishing rods waiting for a bite.

It is proudly rural - Avon has a Food Lion and a Subway, but other than that, there aren’t many familiar shops or restaurants for first timers - just mom and pop shops, but unless you have an insatiable thirst for name brand everything and trendy foods, you’ll find everything you need for a good week on the beach without going back to Kill Devil Hills/civilization.

I cannot possibly recommend HI/Cape Hatteras enough. You must see to believe, as the saying goes. But see you should!

Came in the off season so we weren't able to do the tour of the light house but we walked the grounds. Then went to the old location and walked the beach. Beautiful place with lots of history.

We were in the OBX during the pandemic and looking for a beach to walk on that wasn’t overcrowded. We pulled into one of the small parking lots off Hwy 12 just south of Salvo and had a bit of a walk as the shortest route to the beach was closed for breeding birds. Our reward was a pristine beach all to ourselves! Tremendous beauty. The only downside is that it was very hot and because of the trek, we hadn’t brought an umbrella. We would have stayed longer had we not been so hot.

I have been going to the Outer Banks and The Cape Hatteras Seashore for 25 years. I always stop by the lighthouse and tour the grounds and any other place I want to stop along the way. For friends and family who live outside of North Carolina, I try to make it a point to take everyone I can there to see the lighthouses and all the natural beauty of this place. It's my Go-To when I need to take a break and get away from it all.

Very beautiful beach. Also very clean. A quiet beach. Not busy or crowded. We loved the area, Beautful beach homes to rent. Perfect for family vacations.

Nice ocean views, lighthouse is still under construction. Long drive from Nags Head to see scaffolding and plywood. I will need to visit again in a few years

Been going to see the lighthouse for years. First time that we went as it was getting dark. Even walked out onto the lighthouse beach to get pictures of the lighthouse lit up. Just beautiful!!

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a beautiful drive. Great views from the ocean to the sound, and most of the towns between Nags Head and Buxton have fun stops- from food and bars, to shops and activities. Well worth the time!

One doesn't have to surf, kite surf or boat to enjoy this unspoiled shoreline in OBX. There is scenic rt. 12 running up and down the shoreline between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound, with many small villages and towns along the way. We stay in Avon and walk the beach with our dog several times a day. When the water is warm, we swim in the Atlantic. Shelling, kite flying and just enjoying the outdoors is the best here. Not many shoreline like this left.

We had the best time exploring the beaches and shelling. Lots of conchs, scallops and a few scotch bonnets. We even found some sand dollars and crab claws.

We stopped on our way to see the NC outer banks lighthouses. The beaches are so clean and it was fun to look for sea shells. I found many and so did my boys.

Love this part of the OBX. My favorite are the marshy areas but the beaches are great as well. Tons of wildlife (we saw birds, fish, crabs, turtles, snake, deer, rabbits .... the list goes on).

Can’t recommend the cape hatteras national seashore enough. Love love love it

Gorgeous!great place to swim collect seashells or build a sandcastle or just relax and soak up the sun!

Wonderful drive down to Cape Hatteras from Kill Devil Hills. Lots to see and do, including lighthouses.

This has to be one of the top beach experiences ever. We stopped by on our way to see the house from the Nights in Rodanthe movie. On our way we stopped by the Pea Island wildlife refuge. You can walk out and see animals and then walk across the street to the beach. We were literally alone on a stretch of amazing beach. I've been to many beaches but never had such a quiet time on such a beautiful beach.

Clean. Beautiful. Serene. Not too crowded. Fantastic fishing!! There’s room to spread out and surf fish without people being right on top of you. Driving on the beach is allowed at some ramps with off road permit. Easy access to beaches. Lifeguards are on duty in some areas.

We just stopped to see the lighthouse, I didn't know there was a museum as well. Lots of information there to learn. I didn't realize the involvement of the OBX in WWII. If you are in the area it's a must go!

We thoroughly explored the National Seashore since we stayed way down in Hatteras, and traveled all the way up to Corolla. It was beautiful even now in the winter. The sand dunes are larger than you can imagine, it's a must see in person.

Our family has been vacationing on the southern Outer Banks for over 30 years. My grown children can't imagine any better family vacation spot, and now they enjoy sharing their childhood memories with their own children. From pristine beaches to charming, comfortable cottages and Family programs sponsored by the park rangers, Cape Hatteras has it all. Our favorite village is Avon, with walkable restaurants, shops, ice cream and coffee shops. Be sure to visit Buxton for the famous spiral striped Lighthouse (open for climbing) and the adjacent museum/shop. At the shop or online check out the weekly park ranger activities, from boogie boarding and boardwalks to fishing and pirate tales. Great family fun! Hatteras island is laid back and beautiful, with enough activity options to satisfy the adventurous kite surfer or ocean kayaker as well as the sandcastle builders and beach readers. We love Hatteras!

Our National Seashores are a treasure and this is one of the crown jewels. I’ve driven it three times and will do so again. A beautiful, peaceful coastline, amazing sand dunes, majestic lighthouses, an array of coastal wildlife and plants, and some unique beach homes all make for a wonderful, relaxing drive.

This was our third attempt to try to stay in this area of Hatteras and to visit Ocracoke Island. Unfortunately, like last year, due to bad weather, there were poor road conditions. The ferry to the island was closed. The scenery is beautiful although it is often hard to walk to the beaches even from the designated parking areas. I recommend visiting the area at least once to see so many miles of unspoiled beaches.

A day filled with sun, ocean breezes and a fantastic place for photos. Lighthouse not open yet but great place for families, school groups and the photo minded individual.

Experienced this shore the island villages, beaches, and nature. Enjoyed every bit of bit. Will go back to spend longer time here.

Climbing the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a unique experience. The climb is self-paced and provides views from the tallest brick lighthouse in North America.

We stopped by the entry to the seashore, mostly around the visitor's center and the lighthouse. BLUF, if you've seen one national seashore, I think you've seen them all. Go here if you enjoy drives along the water and views of sand dunes. Don't visit for long if you're looking for something to actually do.

We had a very nice stay with views of ocean and sunrises, sun settings. Marinas that fisherman brought in fish to each day. Whole area of dunes and colorfull buildings.

Easy drive to the lighthouse. They have a very nice visitor center. Don't miss the video presentation in one of the white houses if you choose not to climb the stairs in the lighthouse. Not too crowded. We found it was very nice to visit.

my family has been coming here for years! it's so worth the drive (for us about 7 hours!) it's beautiful especially in summer - we've been in June July and August! we may try fall in the future but we love the ocean. in fact,my husband and son spend most of the day in the water- a lovely shade of Bermuda Bay and Tempting Turquoise. this is amazing seashore for great walks or runs on the beach. it's pretty quiet and on some days very few if any people on the beach! There's not a lot to do other than the ocean but the Lighthouse is amazing and so too is the island of Ocracoke that you can take your car for free in the ferry. Get a condo and shop before getting on hwy 12 or early in Corolla or Duck - very little when you get to Hatteras. there is a red and white but it's more costly and not great selection. there are a few restaurants but not anything outstanding. definitely try Rocco's Pizza - might be only exception for eating out. The Dancing Turtle is a must for coffee and breakfast foods. oh - almost forgot - you can bring your dog but he must be on leash. great family vacation spot to just get away from it all and relax!

I've been here several times, the most recent being over Christmas in 2015.

On this most recent visit (Christmas 2015), I particularly enjoyed walking from the most southerly paved parking lot (by the Graveyard of the Atlantic museum) all the way to the end of the island. It took my boyfriend and me about 3 hours round trip at a neither relaxed nor hurried pace. The further you get from the access point, the more wild the beach becomes, and that's what makes it so enjoyable. The dunes become greener, there are more shells on the beach, less people (in December, there were stretches were we couldn't see anyone else but ourselves!), and it generally feels wild, which is really cool since you don't usually get that feeling when you walk on a beach.

And arriving at land's end is a really cool feeling, especially since the island is so narrow. You can see Ocracoke Island in the distance and watch the ferry cross the channel on it's circuitous route (it's avoiding sand banks). Watching the ocean and sound currents meet is also fascinating! The currents are REALLY STRONG so although it's fun to watch, don't swim there. It's like a very fast river. We did wade into the water about up to our knees to experience the tug of the current (that's how we know it's super strong), but one person always stayed on land within arms reach of the person wading, just in case. Also, because of the currents, the sand drops off very quickly at the very tip of the island, and the high tide leaves really cool waves in the sand itself, which transitions from ocean-side sand to sound-side silt as you walk towards one side or the other.

I also recommend going at near low tide. We went near low tide, and judging by the marks the water left on the sand, there isn't much beach at high tide. Even some parts of the beach that we walked along looked like they'd get really narrow at high tide.

You can drive all the way to the tip, but it's a sand road in between dunes (at least that's what the couple of people we met at the end of the island said. They had driven there with their trucks and were fishing).

The other times I have been here (May 2011 with friends, June 2013 with family, May 2014 with friends), I camped at the National Seashore campground in Fricso (I highly recommend it! You camp IN the dunes!). At those times, I walked the parts of the beach near the campground, and they were also quite lovely. In the summer, it's wonderful to be at the beach at any time of day or night. I always made a point to see the sunrise and sunset and to go star gazing. :)

We found the area to be a natural place to get away from other developed areas of the OBX. If that's your thing then, then stay in one of the villages. We did and loved it.

Pretty drive along the seashore, though I was surprised that dunes blocked a fair amount of the view. Access to both the beaches and the Sound is amazing. You pass through several towns that are interesting, and spending time at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was a highlight.

We love the barren look and feel of portions of Rt. 12 throughout the seashore, as well as the friendliness and small-town feel of all of the villages along the route, though our favorite is Hatteras Village. If you want a quieter beach to enjoy and reflect on, this is it - highly recommended to discerning visitors who really care about the beaches and wildlife.

Love this seashore. At one point in the evening, we were the only people we could see in either direction. There's lots of places people can drive on the beach, which I'm not a huge fan of, but it wasn't bad. It's anything but crowded compared to tourist beaches. We saw so many dolphins and shells and it was just gorgeous. Would definitely go back.

The National Seashore is a preserved area of the Outer Banks of North Carolina and offers recreational opportunities along with unspoiled shoreline as well as wildlife refuge and forested areas. The idea is to keep it a place where one can come to enjoy undeveloped beaches and land, climbing over the sand dunes it's easy to find a stretch of beach that can be claimed as your own (at least for the time being). Some quaint small towns are scattered within the area as well that present you with accommodations, like shops or dining or outfitters for whatever beach activities you enjoy. You can also visit the lighthouses along the National Seashore, like Cape Hatteras or Bodie Island. However, it's really all about the beaches and unspoiled seashore. It makes for a really pleasant drive, but make no mistake, you will want to get out and at least explore on foot to truly appreciate what has been set aside here for all to enjoy.

Great view from the top of the lighthouse. It's neat to see the path where they moved it from as well. Make sure to swing through the museum off to the side (the white house) while you're waiting to go up, it's well worth it.

So peaceful and serene in the fall. I went in September and loved it. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is beautiful. The drive is peaceful and you get in free if you are a National Park member. We didn't go as far as Cape Hatteras, but worth the drive if you have time. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is beautiful and worth visiting!

I have been to a few beautiful beaches both in the U.S. and outside in the Caribbean and Central America. However, I never knew that such unspoiled and uncrowded beaches still existed in the U.S. No boardwalks, mini golf, hotels, houses, t-shirt shops allowed. These places are there in the towns along the Outer Banks but not anywhere in the National Seashore.
Great shelling, warm water, clean beaches and no people. What more can you ask!

The history of the NC coastline can be seen by visiting all the wonderful lighthouses up and down the coast. By climbing up Hatteras and now Bodie Island, one can get a great view and have a little peak on how life use to be.

The National Park Service has done a great job here. Beautiful area to drive through, informative park rangers, and nice visitor centers. We were there not long after Matthew and they had done a great job getting back in shape. Just a beautiful, restful day.

We love on the beac drivingh especially to the point . The fishing is usually pretty good , great waves .

Stand at the shore. Breathe. Hope there is no tidal wave headed your way (or not). Plan your next visit.

She's a beauty! Take time to visit the old and new location. Gift shop is a must see. Wasn't able to climb in July or November but I will one day ...definitely make this part of your OBX experience

I'm pretty sure Cape Hatteras National Seashore is my favorite place on earth. It's so peaceful! Nothing can beat the untouched beauty of Cape Hatteras. You can stop at one of the many places to pull off the road along Hwy 12, and during the off season, it's not uncommon to have the whole beach to yourself. Perfect for bringing a chair and a blanket and watching the waves! I could sit there for hours.

My husband, 2 year old son, and I visited this beach the second week of June. We had such a wonderful experience collecting seashells and swimming in the refreshing water. The dunes were simply stunning and the beach was not crowded like on other Carolina beaches. We managed to see a lot of wildlife which I was very excited to see! We made a fire out on the beach one evening and spent the evening drinking wine and staring at the stars. My son loved playing in the sand and exploring the beach with us. Our second family beach trip was a success and I cannot wait to go back. TIP: bring mosquito repellant, the mosquitos were plentiful after heavy rains

We stayed in Buxton the end of July and can't say enough about the beaches on Hatteras Island! So beautiful, great swimming, lots to see and do. The lighthouse is a must. Pack your sunscreen and suit and visit this breathtaking gem of North Carolina! Great place for families with children of all ages. Slower pace and fewer people on Hatteras than the northern islands. Great restaurants and ice cream shops as well as gift shops and water rentals. The Outer Banks have so much to offer!

The Lighthouse and Wright Brothers Memorial were great. My son really liked the Wright Brothers. We had a great time as a family.

For our drive down from NYC to Charleston, my boyfriend wanted to take the scenic route down along the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway rather than going on I-95. So we made our way to Kitty Hawk, NC to spend the night before heading out. We left early the next morning to start our drive as we had to be on time to make 2 ferries. After Nags Head, we soon drove into Cape Hatteras National Seashore and stopped at the Whalebone Junction Information Station where the lady at the counter was quite helpful in giving us information about the ferries. Our ferry at Hatteras to Ocracoke was every 30 min and was free, but the ferry we needed to Cedar Island ran every 3 hours and reservations were suggested if we wanted to be sure of space on the boat. After leaving the Information Center, our first stop was the horizontally striped Bodie Island Lighthouse. It was absolutely picturesque, first having glimpsed it through a light covering of trees before seeing it out in the open. The drive from there to Hatteras was gorgeous, seeing the very tall shifting sand dunes on either side of us. The barber pole striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was our next stop and it was also impressive. From there, we boarded the ferry to Ocracoke. While waiting on line to board, I made the call to the NC Ferry to reserve a spot for our car for a $15 charge. The ferry ride from Hatteras to Ocracoke was scenic, mainly in part for all the birds flying behind us in the wake of the ferry churning up waters that they dove for. It's a nice hour long ride to disconnect, though be wary of strong winds that could rip your phone out of your hands or send a wave of sea spray at you from the sides of the ferry. We had a 40 minute drive to Ocracoke village and got to see the beautiful stark white lighthouse there, before waiting in line to board the Cedar Island ferry. The Cedar Island ferry is just over 2 hours long, and is again, another nice way to disconnect for a bit and enjoy the ride. There is an indoor lounge to sit at, though no concessions were available when we were on it. However, the map on the tables show the distinctive markings of all the lighthouses along the Outer Banks, which was interesting. All in all, it was a much more interesting and scenic way to drive than I-95. Note, timing can be tight if you wish to spend more time at each of the lighthouses or towns, as if you don't make the ferry you intended to at Ocracoke for Cedar Island, it's a 3 hour wait (or a very long leisurely lunch) for the next one and these ferries only run 3x a day.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is worth visiting! It offers gorgeous sceneries of verdant dunes, beige to gray soft-textured beaches, expansive vista of blue skies, colorful sunsets, abundant fresh catches-of-the-day-to-table seafoods and bright colored raised houses; all of which are designed with roof height balconies that render Hatteras views unlike any I’ve been to.

The two curvy bridges to and from Hatteras are a nice sight.

We have visited here for over 50 years in all seasons and it is always an incredibly beautiful place where nature can go from peaceful to wild and back again as you watch.

Get off the beaten path and simply enjoy. And it is often not that far from the hustle and bustle. Find an alligator near Buxton, clam at Hatteras, fish from the surf, shell on the beach, or simply find a spot to sit and relax. It is a magical place.

The lighthouse is not often open in the fall or winter months but you can still wander the grounds and get great photo ops of the light. If you do happen to catch the light open...make sure you are the required 42inches to climb...not 41 and 3/4....Our extremely excited and seasoned lighthouse climbing child was turned away for just that. It pretty much ruined the rest of her trip and caused her to become overly conscious of her size.That aside, its a beautiful site..cant fault the place for the people.

Excellent vacation spot.If you love salt water and beaches visit here. Fishing is awesome.
Walking the beaches or touring the Cape Hatteras Light are top priorities.

By far the best vacation spot! All the history, scenery is just beautiful, plenty to see and places to go. Also its a quiet little town. The only thing I can't stress enough is BE CAREFUL in the ocean because that rip current is very rough and constant, be aware at all times when in the ocean that current can take you under fast.

Peaceful scenic drive from Kitty Hawk to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Several places to stop for beach access along the way. Bodie Island Lighthouse and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse are must dos for the history. Several small towns with shops and restaurants along the 1.5 hour drive. Went in the off season so did not get to climb the lighthouses but having these places and the beaches almost to myself was worth it.

This is the tallest lighthouse in America. Go visit. Challenge yourself; climb to the top. You will be amazed by the gorgeous natural surroundings of Bodie Island, the Atlantic Ocean, and Pamlico Sound.

One of 5 Light Houses. This one was moved inland because of the deterioration of the shoreline. It never toppled over. It took 23 days to move it inch by inch!

The main purpose for my trip to the Outer Banks of NC was to see the lighthouse and learn about how it was moved to it's new location. Also this is one of the darkest skys in the USA. I returned to the lighthouse at 11:00 PM to view the night skys. The stars put on a show with the Milky Way in all it's brilliance

We visited here while exploring the outer banks. We enjoyed walking on the beach. The water was a little cold to swim in October but we still had a great time!

The Hatteras Lighthouse is amazing!! They allow 30 people in at a time and they go in increments of every 20 minutes. We only had to wait 15 minutes on a Tuesday afternoon.

It's like no scenic drive that ever been on before. Miles and miles of sand very little people. Wish I had more time to take it all in. Glad I did do this. Will come again and hopefully have more time to soak it all in

Lovely and historic lighthouse. It was open only for external viewing. Good aspect is their bathrooms are open and clean. A ranger is available outside to answer questions. Very interesting to read about the lighthouse keepers.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) stretches over 70 miles, from Bodie Island, on the north, through Hatteras Island, and ending at the southern tip of Ocracoke Island.

Most obviously, it includes miles and miles of beaches. Some of these beaches permit off-road vehicles (permit required). It includes three lighthouses and a number of campgrounds.

The beach is significant for wildlife: five species of sea turtles nest on the Seashore, as do a number of beach-nesting shorebirds.

North Carolina is truly fortunate to have the CHNS as part of its eastern border.

We drive the length of the seashore every year, stopping at pea island for birds, the lighthouse, and beach accesses. We found a new hidden gem, near the lighthouse is a small British cemetery for WWII sailors. Best east coast beach drive period.

The beaches along the unpopulated areas are worth the drive. So pristine with lots of driftwood and tons of shells. The drive is gorgeous as well just watch out for turtles on the road.

Surf was rough one day but mostly great! water warm and no jellyfish or sharks. did see some dolphins. Lots of shells-not much seaweed.

So nice to just see ocean, sand dunes and sky! no buildings, bill boards, lights or crowds, even though we were there during the height of tourist season.

I drove up and down rt 12 in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The route is just so scenic and very enjoyable. Lots of habitats for wildlife interspersed with small towns for services. Not for those who are in a hurry because it is miles and miles. Look at the map. I also went to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. An imposing structure. Dunes and flat areas too. The beaches are pristine for those who want to go swimming.

If you have a real Jeep (Wrangler), get your posterior to this area! Get a 10 day pass for $50 from any of the National Park Visitors Centers and then you have miles of beaches to drive. We took the ramp 55 entry at the southern end of Hatteras. There are sooo many more to see! We even saw lots of 4WD trucks and suv's on the beaches. It's not crowded, at least not on a Thursday.

This is a beautiful bird sanctuary where no dogs are allowed on the paths. The paths are very long and run alongside the open areas where the birds hangout.

Not breathtaking by any means. Poorly accessible. Definitely worth a visit for lack of better options.

This is a beautiful seashore--you can walk for miles along it. I saw not only ducks and geese but wild swans.

Cape Hatteras has a lot to offer, perhaps the seashore got the most with sand dunes, sea gulls and blue tranquil water, not to mention the golden sunset with whole bunch of hues. We passed through the seashore on our way to Buxton and enjoyed all the treasures of the sea shore. If you like to spend some quality time in silence and solitude, a plan for sunrise or sunset would perfectly fit the bill.

Can't say enough pretty words to describe this national treasure! Beautiful, magical, serene, and peaceful.

This place is beautiful. There are a lot of things to see here that you can not see in the midwest. I love the obx. This was my first time here but not my last. I wish I had not removed photos from my phone after copies made I'd love to have shared some.

We drove from Corolla to Cape Hatteras! It took about 2 hours to get down there. The dunes along the seashore are massive - so we could only see the ocean at a few spots! We had never seen dunes so large! Beautiful drive!

The Hatteras Lighthouse is beautiful. She is stately and elegant. The family climbed her and announced the view was worth the climb.

We have been going to OBX for 30+ years. The beaches are great. We like to stay in the Duck/Pine Island areas. Lots of shopping and activities around. The past couple of years we have stayed in the Avon/Hatteras areas. It is quieter in this area but we really enjoyed kayaking on the sound this year.

This is an incredible natural wonder! If you enjoy nature and the beach, you absolutely must visit this place. There are long stretches of beach with occasional access points with parking areas and many accessible by 4X4 vehicle by permit. Many visitor centers. Most access points have bath houses or port-a-potties and many have showers. See abundant wildlife. Enjoy surfing some of the best waves on the Atlantic, do some surf fishing. Most importantly, enjoy the peace and solitude of one of the most secluded and well-protected stretches of beach in this part of the world.

This is a beautiful part of the coast, with a laid-back vibe but also exciting because of the location. We were ferry-hopping and being chased by a storm so the weather was getting dicey which added to the excitement, and even though the lighthouse was closed, we still got to walk around the grounds.

Loved my visit in the OBX. Looking around at all the tourist spots can be sad. This is why I loved the national seashore. No restaurants or hotels. Just miles of beach, sand dunes, and water. Very relaxing to drive this area.

The parking area is in the dunes of this beach, but if you want to take your car on the beach stop at the Hatteras Lighthouse to get your off road permit to drive onto the beach at marked access points. This is a very special place not to be missed! The Diamond Shoals boil and froth just off shore.

great to slip in early while everyone else sleeps and pick up some goodies for all.It is the home or the world famous Apple Ugly

We started coming to the Outer Banks about 10 years ago after starting out in Jersey and then eventually to Virginia Beach. When we came here our first time we stayed in Hatteras Village and were surprised by the length of the drive even after getting on Rt 12 but the relaxation once we got there was well worth the drive. Granted if you are looking for a lot of attractions you should look elsewhere or stay closer to Kitty Hawk or Nags Head. I can't say to many bad things about the Outer Banks and look forward to coming down here for many years to come.

Boardwalk into Pea Island Sanctuary and walks on the beach are a must for this large area. There are parking spots along the highway to allow access to the beach for sports, fishing or just relaxing.

Some of the most beautiful beach we have seen. Easy access, quiet, uncrowded. There are several access areas with parking or drive paths for the proper vehicle all along Highway 12.

Our first trip to the Outer Banks. Such a beautiful place & the beaches are spectacular! Can’t wait to go again.

Great piece of NC history. a must for NC history buffs and the climb to the top might be long, however, the view is breath taking

Our boys loved playing in the warm Atlantic. What a wonderful natural resource. We went back every day for three days and would go back every day if we could.

Took a drive from MP 14.5 down Rt.12 until it ended at the Ferry to Ocracoke Island. Beautiful and peaceful drive on a clear, sunny day. Lot's of places to pull off and access the deserted beach.

Miles and miles of nearly empty beaches. Water was a little cold but still great. Some rain but a bad day at the beach is still great.

So we've been to the Florida Beaches (Gulf and Ocean side), and Myrtle Beach, but this was by far our favorite beach. It is much more wild than the other beaches we've been to, but in a good way. During the day, the water was amazing, clean with decent waives, but also we got to see crabs, sand crabs, clams, and even a portugese man o'war jelly fish. We went during covid outbreak, and we didn't have another group within 400 yards of us on one side, and a solid mile on the other. Beautiful beach, great water, amazing living beach!! HIGHLY recommend!!

Love this seashore. Awesome sand dunes and waves. Found a lot of shells. Beach area wasn't crowded at all. At one point we could look both directions and not see anyone else! Good for wading and walking up and down the beach.

Fun day of sightseeing. Easy drive. Scenery is great. Sound on one side, ocean on the other. Plenty of beaches to stop by. Don’t get in a hurry. Just pull off and take a walk on one of the beaches.

Miles and miles of pristine, almost always empty (of people) beaches, white sand, glimmering water, crashing waves, swaying grass await you. There are some small pull offs NC 12 for you to park the car, climb over the dunes to get mesmerized by the ocean view. There are also several primitive campsites available as well several as day use areas, where you can visit the beach. Each have facilities, like toilets and outdoor showers. The drive from Nags Head to Ocracoke and through the National Seashore was a highlight of a week’s visit to the OBX.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is unlike many beach areas on the Atlantic coast. The only developments are clustered around the few small towns in the area. Most of the seashore is wild. Thanks to the high sand berm between the beach and Rte. 12 the only sound you hear is the waves crashing on the beach. The area is very popular with surf fishermen. There are numerous ramps over the dune line. A beach driving permit is required. It's currently $50 a week. A good four wheel drive is required. On the sound side windsurfing and board sailing are very popular. There is very limited access for those using a wheelchair.

This is a beautiful seashore, and to be able to drive along it with so many miles of undeveloped land is wonderful. There are many places to pull out and climb the dunes to the beach. The surf was fantastic and beautiful to just sit and watch or to stroll along.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore really is one of my favorite places on earth. From beach driving in the Jeep to good eats and amazing views, there is no better remote destination for your GPS to leave your hectic life behind!

Beaches are Pristine and Breathtakingly beautiful. The white sand dunes, beautiful shells and blue green water makes this one of the most beautiful beaches in NC.

Took my son for the afternoon and had a great time fishing and flying a kite. Fishing was slow this day, but I know this area is well known for catching many different types of fish, and good sized ones to boot. Recommend taking a 4 wheel drive vehicle so as to access the best areas more easily. Also a great place to fly kites, and or just spend the day at the beach.

Love the Outer Banks and getting in touch with nature. Long expanses of unspoiled beaches with A lot of coastal wild life to enjoy. We brought our Westie with us because it is the most pet friendly beach we have ever visited. It's also a sportsman's paradise with windsurfers, paddle boarders, kayakers and of course fishermen! They come in droves to fish these banks. No commercialism here....just beautiful unspoiled beaches!

The Outer Banks are an amazing place, and my family spent 3 days and 3 nights enjoying its history and beauty. But I need to be honest - it wasn't beautiful from the road, and I took the road all the way from Nags Head to Hatteras and back. It took over two hours to make that drive one way due to construction and congestion, and there is nothing to look at from the road except when you occasionally rise above grade on a bridge. There are many wonders and great stops along this road but believe me it is NOT a scenic road, and it is slow going so figure on going 25-30mph when figuring drive times between stops.

Overall I had a good time at Cape Hatteras. Only thing is Hurricane José brush the coast. Nothing serious but wished for better weather but the high waves are amazing. I even went to a lighthouse and it was nice. went there is 2017.

One of our National Parks by another name. It is an interesting always changing difficult environment. Hatteras can go from calm to hurricane and back again very quickly.

We enjoyed our trip to the lighthouse and the surrounding grasslands. The crabs in the water were fun to watch.

We went to Cape Hatteras during the off season. It wasn't crowded at all and we enjoyed the 12 minute video that was shown about the climb to the top of the lighthouse. We were 3 weeks too early for the climb up the light tower. It's $8 for adults to climb, but we think it's probably worth the money if you're going to spend a day there anyway. The beach where the former lighthouse sits is very interesting. We had a new appreciation of mother nature after viewing the video about why the lighthouse was moved.

We found some pretty seashells by the shore in Cape Hatteras and the overlook of the lighthouse. It was a windy afternoon so we were caught in the middle of a wind storm. Be prepared for a lot of sand in your shoes if you decide to walk the beaches during the off season. We were just lucky to have sunshine as it had started to rain a lot earlier in the day. The guides at the museum were very informative and helpful so overall we felt like this was a good day excursion. If you're going to the tip of the island you might as well take the ferry to Orcacoke. If we had started earlier in the day, that would have been nice, but we were staying in Nags Head and wanted to cross the bridge before sundown and the wind storm kicked up again.

Stayed in the Salvo area. Nice beaches with short dune walks to get there. Waves slightly rough as we went there right after hurricane/tropical storm passed through in July 2021.

We loved spending a few days relaxing here. We went to stop 27 which had a short walk to the beach. Hardly anyone on the beach. Very quiet and clean. If you want to relax, read a book or nap, this is perfect in October!

My husband and I had visited Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in it’s original location, many years ago. They were trying everything they could think of, at that time, to shore up the beach, as the sea was attempting to claim the light. Cape Hatteras is the tallest lighthouse in the US. Built at the point the Gulf Stream meets the Labrador current, the turbulence is legendary, and fog is a major factor. In fact, the original light was extended in height because it was basically ineffective during the presence of fog. We were fortunate enough to climb her when we first visited, but the steps were closed for maintenance on this trip. The view from the top is one that you have to see to believe! Simply amazing! So…we were anxious to see the lighthouse’s new home, as it was moved away from the shoreline several years ago. She is still so regal!

We stayed in Nags Head which is a heavy tourist area, as is everything north on the barrier islands. But traveling south, toward the National Seashore, the stark difference in amazing. It gives you a look at what the entire area must have been years ago….glimpses of the ocean between the dunes! There are a few shops to visit, but in researching that area, I found a number of retail businesses and restaurants that were no longer there. It’s a peaceful area, and worth the drive if for no other reason, than to understand what the Outer Banks used to be.

Our family goes to Cape Hatteras Seashore at least once or twice a year. We love it because it’s so laid back with beautiful beaches to enjoy. We love driving the truck on the beach and setting up “camp” for the day. The abundance of shells is an added plus.

The entire National Seashore with the crashing waves, lighthouses, nesting birds was breathtaking.We stopped at many of the beaches ad inlets. Entire area is very dog friendly.

You can drive for miles and miles towards the end fromwhere the ferry leaves. Along the way you see a lot of touristy stuff. Places to stay and eat. At the end near the ferry is a maritime museum called graveyard of the sea. Here the history is told about the many wrecks that lay on the ocean floor. Also along the way the highest brick build lighthouse of the US.

If you're looking for a vacation away from distractions this is the place. Beautiful protected beaches with turtle nesting grounds, few people and natural beauty. Not the place to go if you are looking for shopping or fine restaurants.

My wife and I visited during our first trip down to the Outer Banks and it did not disappoint. We are national park stamp collectors and thoroughly enjoy the peaceful bliss of experiencing what the National Parks have to offer. The lighthouses were our first stops and they were monstrous in person but a thing of remarkable beauty. The seashores are quiet, the sound of the waves and gulls are peaceful and quaint. Sometimes the best in life is taking a gentle stroll and listening to the nature around you. Definitely recommend Bodie Island Lighthouse as it was the best best view of the area with a small boardwalk and pier as well. North Carolina shorelines are immaculate

This was a perfect time to take a walk on an absolutely secluded beach. Not often you can find a place where there are no other footprints and it looks like you are on the moon. Awesome time.

We enjoyed the drive and seeing the scrub bushes and more rustic beaches that show the islands as they were. We especially enjoyed the Pea Island visitor center. We went to the beach directly across from the center and found the beaches as they were when we visited 20 years ago. It was a great place for shell collecting. Many of the shells had been smoothed over time—we had never seen that before.
Driving all the way to Hatteras was a waste of time. We had planned on lunch there, but there were no places available. There is only a small restaurant and a snack trailer. No shops or places of interest.

It was over 95 degrees out with incredible humidity so our visit was short and not what we would have liked. Although as seniors, we are in top condition, we were warned many much younger than us had been treated for heat exhaustion, we decided to pass on the climb to the top of the lighthouse. Our visit, however was very nice. There was a video of the climb to the top while visiting the very interesting museum.

I would visit again to experience the climb to the top, but only in the cooler weather.

Always a treat to see the tallest light house on the east coast. We've climbed to the top before but not this tripand it's an impressive climb, and view. Admission is higher than it used to be

Loved spending time on the beach with a lighthouse view. Great place for looking for shells too! Beautiful place!

There's a lot going on here, they were having lectures outside the gift shop and there were a lot of people there to climb the lighthouse but it was very well organized. Instead of waiting in line like you do in Currituck, you get a ticket with a specific time to climb. Much better, especially with the heat.

The rangers were great, we asked about some programs while we were in the light keeper's cottage and they were happy to help.

There is a height requirement so if you have younger kids check that out.

I first visited Hatteras about 40 years ago. I have traveled many places in my life, but nothing calls me like the OBX. Every season brings a different kind of beauty to the island. While most people visit in the summer for water sports, fishing is excellent in the spring and fall and birding is at its peek in the winter.

Nice visit to see new territory, but will never come back here. Nice lighthouses & history; but don't understand the cache of this area.

Love this campground, peaceful quiet, near the beach and wonderful beach breezes at night. Very hot in the day time, no shade completely open so be prepared to bring a canopy or umbrella. My concern is we were there last year 2019 as late as August and the shower houses and bathrooms (comfort stations) were mostly closed for construction. I saw yesterday they still have a posting on their website that all comfort stations are still under construction. Now from yesterday to today (after I called) the posting that said the comfort stations are under construction is gone...I have left them a message as to when construction will be completed with no return call and am planning on going Labor Day weekend.....????? Can anyone help???? Would love to have those necessary amenities because I will be in a tent!!!!

Beautiful area. Plenty of places to fly kites, search for shells, fish, paddle-board/kayak and more! The road through can get a bit crowded at times, but lots of places to pull off and enjoy along the way.

I have been to Cape Hatteras twice and this year will be my third trip. I am hoping to be able to climb to the top this year.

The beach was beautiful at the beach access area near the lighthouse. The dunes were undisturbed. This is a must for anyone interested in beach photography !

We stayed in the waves area and the beach was beautiful, clean, and well patrolled by beach rescue. We had a wonderful time!

In October, my husband and I visited the Outer Banks for the first time. As beach-lovers, our first order of business was to check out the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The National Seashore begins at the border with Nags Head and stretches south for about 60 miles to the Hatteras Ferry Terminal that goes to Ocracoke – and then a further 10 miles or so on Ocracoke Island. The ferry between Hatteras and Ocracoke is free, but we did not take it due to time constraints on the day we rode there from where we were staying in Kill Devil Hills. The crossing takes about an hour.

Pea Island is embedded in the National Seashore. The two-mile-long Herbert C. Bonner Bridge connects the northern end of Pea Island to the northern portion of the National Seashore (southern end of Bodie Island). There is no toll for the bridge.

A few small towns such as Rodanthe, Avon, and Buxton lie within the National Seashore. Except for the areas encompassed by the towns, the Seashore is undeveloped. In most places, the ocean-side water is not visible from the road (Route 12) because of the height of the dunes, although the distance from the road to the shoreline is no more than a few hundred yards in most places. There were some small parking areas on the stretch south of Rodanthe, with walkways across the dunes. In other places, particularly on Pea Island, cars parked by the side of the road where paths lead across the dunes.

Coquina Beach is the only designated beach area within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with facilities (toilets, changing rooms, outdoor showers) and a large parking lot. It is located just a few miles south of Nags Head. However, the sand on the beach is more like dirt, with roots and rocks embedded in it. We didn’t find it attractive.

We spent our beach time either on Pea Island (parking by the side of the road – being careful not to drive into soft sand) or at the northernmost entrance to the National Seashore right at the border with Nags Head. A sign on the main road (Route 12) pointing to the Bodie Island Maintenance Area leads to a small parking lot at Ramp 1 to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. We walked south for about 5 minutes to find a quiet spot in front of the high dunes.

Regarding swimwear, the law governing the Cape Hatteras National Seashore requires only that genitals be covered. As a long-time proponent of topless equality, this was perfect for me. I wore a super cheeky bikini (aka a g-string) and went topless, and my husband wore a very tiny speedo (aka a g-string).

Because it was late October, there were not many people on the beach. Air temps in the low 70s were good enough for us, and the water temperature was higher than we’re used to in New England. We sunbathed, swam (when the wave action wasn’t too vigorous), and walked the beach as far south as Coquina Beach to use the restrooms. Without stopping, it took about 10 minutes to cover the distance from where we were set up. However, sometimes we stopped to talk to fishermen or local beachgoers. The fishermen were eager to tell us their “fish stories,” and the beachgoers shared their knowledge of the area. Some of the women were topless, and there were a few women and men wearing thong swimsuits.

Everyone was very friendly; they probably enjoyed our accents as much as we enjoyed theirs. No mention was ever made of our swim attire. Whether that was because our swimwear is not uncommon there or because people are so polite, we were unable to determine. There were a few families with children on the beach in front of the Coquina Beach pavilion, but the kids took no notice of us, and the parents/grandparents smiled or ignored us.

At the places on the beach on Pea Island where we stopped, there was no one within sight in either direction, and the dunes shielded us from view of the cars on Route 12. We took advantage of the situation by dispensing with our swimsuits, and we were able to fully enjoy each other’s company.

One time we were walking along the beach when a pair of kite-boarders came ashore to take a break. They were wearing wet suits and we were naked, but the incongruity went unremarked as we exchanged pleasantries. Later, a huge bulldozer came rumbling along the sand smoothing it over and tamping it down. Eventually it disappeared up near the Bonner Bridge area (an impressive new bridge is under construction right next to the existing one). The operator merely gave us a thumbs-up.

I have no idea what the beach situation would be like in summer, and not every day we were there in late October was a “beach day,” but I suspect that September and early October on the beaches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore would be perfect for people like us who value our space and enjoy the beach going topless and wearing g-string swimsuits or less.

First we stopped at the lighthouse, amazing that they moved it from the original location. The museum is fantastic. The rangers here a super helpful and knowledgable. Great diversion from the drive.

The history and the area is amazing. Keep it up Hatteras travelers will be back.!! This light house to me is better then the Ocracoke however both are beauties of their own

We came here with our son and four young grandsons, the beach is beautiful and there were plenty of shells. The waves are quite dangerous at times with a strong riptide but there is a lifeguard on duty here and they were called into action two or three times. Very good beach for boogie boarding and surfing, my only complaint is that the portable toilet by the carport was absolutely disgusting and none of us could use it!

This provides great access to both the sound and the breach. We went to go site
Shore fishing. We would fish an hour at one stop then ride on down to the next pull off.

Excellent place to see nature in a half day were seen minnows, crabs, sea gulls, lizards, and many different kinds of wild plants.

We had a very enjoyable visit to the national seashore. We drove the entire length with another couple. We stopped at the Pea wildlife refuge and the lighthouse. It was February so we didn't 't walk on the beach. This is a must experience when visiting the Outer Banks. But

Spent some time on the grounds. Learned some Interesting history regarding the relocation of the lighthouse. It is a nice day spent.

Beautiful beach to visit. We drove on the beach and found a great spot to surf fish. Then had a campfire on the beach, hung out, ate snacks, spent the night and woke up to see the sunrise. Super fun! Ready to go back soon. They we're catching Drum in the area. One lady caught a baby shark. Lots of amazing shells along the beach. Just an overall beautiful place.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is absolutely amazing. It is so beautiful and finding seashells on the shore is so much fun.

What more can you say about great sunshine, wavy water, walkable beach with wonderful sand, except beware of riptides and chance of sunburn on hot days. Opportunity to see the adventurous try their surfboarding and parasailing techniques, One of the most relaxing beach areas on the east coast. Once you go, you are destined to return again and again, Good to visit on shoulder season to avoid traffic, however September can be hit or miss with rainy weather or occasional hurricanes.

Stayed at Oregon Inlet Campground in a 41' motorhome - dry camping as there are no hookups. Beautiful place and very nice rangers. If your motorhome is self contained and 40 feet or less you can fit and be comfortable but make reservations if you want to stay on a weekend. The waste dump with potable water is across the highway. Generators can be used from 6 AM to 10 PM and dogs are welcome on a leash. We paid $14/night with our Senior Pass. The beach is similar to all the beaches in the southern end of Cape Hatteras - usually great sand but occasionally rough if the waves and wind it. On our stay we had a great beach. Many complain about the mosquitos and flies but during our stay (late June 2016) we had some strong breezes so the bugs were almost non-existent. If we sat outside on the grass in the evening we did have some mosquitos but a little repellant took care of them.

My family just spent a total of seven days in the various Park Service campgrounds along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This was my third trip to the Outer Banks and the first in 20 years. I had expected that growth would have changed it more. I did notice Nags Head had grown a lot, but thank goodness that so much of the seashore and surrounding area is protected from development. This is still the only place I know where you can go (at least without riding in a boat) and find yourself on a beautiful beach with nobody else in sight.

If you require more touristy activities to be happy on a vacation, then stay closer to the north end of the seashore. The further south you go the more distant you will be from civilization. We took our RV by ferry to Ocracoke and stayed there for several days in the Park Service campground. We realized just how far we were from the rest of the world when we took the ferry from the south side of Ocracoke to the Cedar Island terminal and it took about 2.5 hours of crossing the ocean to reach the mainland.

Visiting the various lighthouses is a must when you come here. Other "must do" activities include taking a walk on the beach either in the morning or evening. If you are a morning person then take a walk at sunrise. If you are an evening person then take a walk at sunset. One tip that we discovered the hard way is to make sure and take a flashlight on the beach for evening walks (a cell phone with light may not be enough). This is because, as the sun sets, all the dunes start to look alike and it is easy to get disoriented about how far you have walked and which trail to take back to your starting point.

Take plenty of sunscreen as the sun can be brutal here - there is no shade. Otherwise, put this on your list of places you must see and go have fun!

Drove from Nags Head to Hatteras. Saw Bodie and Hatteras Lighthouses. Ate lunch at Kat’s Deli in Hatteras, recommend. Interesting to see the heavy machinery moving the sand vs snow back from the road! Pretty drive.

There are a number of pullouts and pulloffs on 12 to stop, park, and walk over the dunes to the beach.

The most beautiful escape from the Northern Adirondack winters of New York. When you reach the point of screaming if you see one more snowflake, we headed to Hatterus and the most beautiful seashores I have ever seen. Miles upon miles of surf and sand and if you are a shell picker like me, this will be your "Happy Place". The most beautiful shells don't need to be perfect. They all tell a story if you just look at them and listen.

Wonderfully maintained and magnificent. Plenty to do and much time to relax. Numerous parking places. Just stop, relax, take pictures, and take in the view.

This must be among the world's great beaches: a long stretch of sand, fishing at high tide, shells (if you are lucky) at low tide, wildlife, . . . Walking along the sand isn't always easy, but it's always enjoyable. The Baltic beaches with their sugar-fine white sand are comparable, but the water is warmer here. Leashed dogs are allowed, so bring yours.

Not only because it is the tallest brickmade lighthouse but also because of the great view from the top. The museum nearby is also interesting.

Breathtaking! My fiancé and I went several times while down here and the water is clean, the beach is semi private and easily accessible by just about everywhere. Just gorgeous! Best beach in the world!

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a must see attraction. We climbed to the top and were rewarded with probably the best view on the East Coast. The US Park Service provided a very good lecture about the lighthouse prior to our climb. The other facilities and museums near by compliment the lighthouse. This was our favorite stop for our trip to Cape Hatteras.

This is a lovely drive, from the southern area of Nags Head, out to the Lighthouse. You can stop and walk to the beach at any number of places along the road. Bodie Island Lighthouse came with a bonus: a boardwalk over the swamp with much wildlife to view. We drove out to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse -- interesting museum, fantastic to know that they actually moved the Light back in 1999 to save it from the sea. The Bodie Light was open to climbing this year, but not the Hatteras.

We drove on the beach this year and it's such a game changer. It was awesome to park, set up our chairs and tent and play for as long as we wanted to. We could leave phones and other stuff in the truck. We didn't need to lug across the sand dragging anything. It was such a great trip. Watch out for turtle nests and bird sanctuary areas, but otherwise, enjoy this part of the state and have fun!

Hatteras Seashore is stunning! Beautiful, salty, majestic homes. Uncrowded beaches and surly surf to keep one busy. Convenient access points up and down the island. Eateries, NPS Hatteras Lighthouse, Museums (Graveyard of Atlantic), and NPS Weather Station are just some of the activities you can do along the drive from mid OBX to south OBX. Charter fishing in abundance with multiple marinas to choose from. We spent the whole day away from condo in Kill Devil Hills along this shore drive. Full fun day with so much at your finger tips.

Have not visited in years. So happy we were able to visit again. Beautiful & Peaceful💕. Planning a return visit. The locals are so welcoming. Had visited a week after Hurricane Mathew. Big thanks to all those in Dare County for all there work.

Perfect place for a group/family picture where we sat on rocks with the lighthouse as the backdrop.
Nice view from atop the lighthouse.

The cape Hatteras Lighthouse was very interesting! It is very tall….the tallest in the US! The outer buildings were where the most information was given! The story was told of how it was moved to its current location! Nice grounds and visitor center!

Always beautiful and a fun time. Have been coming for years with my family. The only downside is it seems to get busier every year.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a unique place on the Atlantic coast. We have walked, bathed and enjoyed this unique, UNCROWDED, seaside environment many time over the years, most recently a month ago. The beach and the dunes are beautiful. One can enjoy many seabirds and little ghost crabs while walking along the shore. Best of all, you can escape the rest of humanity and have the beach to yourselves by walking a few hundred yards from a life-guarded area. However, even the life-guarded areas are not crowded, with perhaps 100-150 people at most on a busy day. However, we strongly recommend swimming only at a guarded beach. There are rip tides on occasion, and the along-shore currents can be powerful, so play it safe, enjoy this beautiful environment, and savor the experience.

There is no place like the Outer Banks of North Carolina. No beach on the North Carolina coast can compare. I have been to all of the beaches and will even add myrtle beach. This is the best compromise between beauty, quiet, tourist traps, and miles of vacant beaches. If you like the crowds and towering hotels with amusement park rides this is not the place for you. I loved it so much I built a house here and retired.

The drive along this highway is calming and beautiful. Not much traffic when we were there. We stopped several times to view the ocean. Not fast but worth the drive

We spent hours here picking up awesome shells. We also went to the turtle pond near the old site of the lighthouse and had a blast watching the turtles swim up to the shore to say 'Hi'...they were so cute and there were so many of them.

Self guide tour and information available. Kids loved it and it was both beautiful and informative, saw the original spot the lighthouse was moved from, the beach was amazing and the sights fantastic. Shells everywhere!

The seashore is gorgeous. If you want to see non commercialized beaches this is the place to go. So peaceful beautiful!

Great beaches and huge sand dunes. Good surf fishing and calm waves for kayaking. We drove out in the beach ($50 permit/week). Take a chain just in case you get stuck.

Our favorite light in the world! Traveling here is such a great and exciting trip! We try to come at least two weeks each year and each year we see something special. Wish the people who work in the lighthouse store were just a little more polite. You just want someone to treat you with respect. Seems many people have found this area and it gets a little more crowded each year. Still our favorite spot!

The marker TripAdvisor is not accurate because the Cape Hatteras National Seashore runs from Bodie Island (south Nags Head) all the way to Ocracoke Island. It is not just the beaches in Hatteras.

The beaches here are part of the National Park Service and for the most part are not maintained like the beach in Nag's Head up north through Duck and Carolla. You'll like not find the same level of infrastructure like stairs over the dunes or beach combers.

However, you'll also find that these beach are WAY less crowded than the northern towns. So there is a give and take.

I have stayed as far north as Carolla and as far south as Salvo and I find these beaches to be natural and quieter than the northern beaches. But if you are looking for nightlife, people and lots of activities, then maybe the quiet beaches are not for you.

These beaches are a national treasure and help define why OBX is one of the best vacation locations in the USA.

We love Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The beaches are still natural for the most part, not overrun with overpriced beach houses,stores and tourist traps. We have camped in all of the National Seashore campgrounds, they are bare bones (cold water showers, no electricity etc) but great regardless. If you enjoy nature, flora/fauna, sun, sand and of course lighthouses then you will love Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Vacationing on the OBX cannot be beat. The weather for the week was perfect. The guys caught fish - enough for a dinner for the group (8). The fireworks from the Avon pier were phenomenal!! Best show ever!! We love visiting that week because of it. Didn’t have to leave the house. Would highly recommend to anyone, anytime of year.

Took the kids, the Rangers were great, the history and the move. Watch the video in the gift shop worth the drive.

We very much enjoyed seeing the lighthouse. If you plan to climb make sure it isn’t closed for the season.

Wow, we had the best of times and the most stressful of times trying to experience Cape Hatteras National Seashore as we had planned. One of the visitor centers in is located in the historic Bodie Island Lighthouse Double Keepers' Quarters at the end of a short park road off of NC Highway 12 across from Coquina Beach. This is where we started and it was a pretty little center with very helpful rangers and gift shop. There was a short walk along a boardwalk. We got signed up for the junior ranger program. We went to our place for the night and the next day checked out the visitor center at Hatteras Island, which had a another lighthouse, a two-story museum and more great rangers. We were given cute Cape Hatteras National Seashore trading cards and a great ranger encouraged us to complete the ranger program there rather than at the visitor center at Ocracoke as I had planned. We would have been in trouble because somehow I had missed the only way from Hatteras to Ocracoke was via ferry. I had a reservation for the ferry from Ocracoke to the mainland at 1:30 but did not know you could not drive from Buxton to Ocracoke. It was quite humorous because Siri had our car pictured just going through the ocean. When we got to the ferry line to Ocracoke, the kind guy working there took pity and let us get to the front of the line because we had one hour to get to the next ferry terminal. As we waited for the ferry we searched for food for lunch but the time of year we went meant the shops were all pretty closed. Anyway, it was very exciting experiencing this whole unique region of the world and I was humbled by missing a major piece of research!

We just spent five days visiting the Cape Hatteras seashore. We stayed on the Ocean in our RV and had a wonderful time. We saw the wild horses via a Jeep tour, attended the Lost Colony Outdoor drama, sal the Life Saving station, toured light houses and so much more. Great vacation destination with young children.

Beautiful place even with the hurricane damage. The people's resolve is amazing and inspiring thank you

This is a must see during your stay on the outer banks. Miles and miles of shoreline to explore, wildlife galore.

Get out of the crowd! Run from Kitty Hawk and Nags Head. This is the gem of OBX. If you have a 4WD, get the ORV pass. $50 for 10 days. Yes, it’s expensive, but Sooooo worth it! The ORV beaches are more secluded.

Perfect destination for a day trip from the Nags Head / Kill Devil Hill area, featuring sweeping bridges spanning the islands and towering dunes. Plenty of places to pull over and park to enjoy the beach and wildlife on your way to the Hatteras Lighthouse. The lighthouse is under restoration, but there’s a museum where you can learn about the history of the area and the process of restoring this Outer Banks treasure.

We saw the original light house site with the barrier . The beach was lovely but the waves were too strong! I found pretty sand blasted shells!

One of the most beautiful attractions in NC. So much to do with little hassle. Just a fun loving getaway!!

Gotta be one of the last places on earth where a person can visit such long stretches of undisturbed beaches. 4-wheeled drive vehicles can drive on beach with a permit. Often nothing else on beach but you!

We loved our visit to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. We enjoyed the museum as well. I would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting OBX.

The natural resources were beautiful. Endless stretches of empty beach with only the occasional fisherman in sight. Small town communities about every 15 to 20 miles apart that offers shopping, food, gas, some entertainment. Otherwise nothing but dunes, beach and soundside beauty. There are soundside pull offs that offer anything from bird watching, swimming, kayak put in’s or just a quit place to set and watch the sunset into the sound.
Ocean side has great surf fishing and a fishing bridge (Bonner fishing bridge) that extends out into the Oregon Inlet. At the end of the road. Yes, Rt.12 does end in a sense. But good news is you can hop onboard of the Ocracoke ferry. This hour+ ferry ride is free and lands you on Black boards hideout. Ocracoke island. Rt.12 continues from there. There is another ferry on the other end of the island that takes you to the mainland. You have to pay for that ferry and I believe you have to schedule a boarding time. So, enjoy Ocracoke then return to Cape Hatteras on a returning ferry.

Cape Hatteras is one of my favorite seashores to visit. The long beaches with few cars here and there makes for a a great day trip. It has places to eat for lunch and dinner with a short drive out the beach right onto the sand. The only down fall there is, is that now you have to have a permit.

Spent half day at a remote beach with public access. It soared to 80 degrees! Just a few other people. Beautiful beaches without the homes that make you feel like your trespassing, even when you're not.

Nice beaches to drive to and on with 4wd. We went to the north end of the park near Bodie. Ramp 2 had a bathroom and outdoor showers. ORV ramp 4 had an air up station across the street at the marina. Lots of parking. Not a great stretch for shelling but nice otherwise to enjoy the beach. You need a permit to drive and park on the beach and some areas depend on the season. Be respectful of the wildlife.

Another great place to visit! Amazing history, nice people! Love the colors and structure. Make sure you go into old house and review the history.

We loved the shore here! Very clean and relaxing. It was easy to reach and quite relaxing watching kids play in the surf and reading a book.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to climb to the top. The Rangers closed it to climbing due to 106 degree heat, inside. Still beautiful! Stayed for a presentation and visited the air conditioned museum.

Clean beaches, gorgeous sunrises, well-maintained walkways, steps, and parking lots. If you climb to the tops of some of the dunes, you can see the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Pamlico Sound on the other side of the road. We drove from Kitty Hawk down to Hatteras with the windows open, stopping several times along the way there and back again. Loved every mile of it. On one of the stops, we enjoyed a fresh seafood picnic lunch on the beach and watched another visitor fishing as he caught a large (3-4 feet long) fish right in front of us. Shared some hush puppies with the begging seagulls, and had a delightful time just a few feet away from the waves on a glorious sunny afternoon.

beautiful beaches, love the quietness of the entire area. Well maintained beaches. Will be going back for sure

Miles and miles of beautiful deserted beach well worth exploring. The ocean on one side and a few yards away is the Sound. This is an area that we are blessed was preserved from development and allows us to explore a seashore without hundreds of sunbathers.

The beach is spectacular. The shoreline doesn't present great shelling but just walking along the waters edge and enjoying the salt air is invigorating. There are no food or drink shops though there are bathroom facilities at the Lighthouse nearby. Parking in the summer may be limted but it was mostly empty when we visited in May. After enjoying the beach you can drive all the way to the end of the road known as the Point.. If you have a four wheel drive vehicle obtain a pass from the Park Service so that you can drive out onto the beach at the Point.

We rented with Outer Beaches for several years with no problems...we loved them. Then Vacasa took them and Hatteras Realty over. This year we had a lovely house booked that we stayed in before. Got a call from Vacasa several months beforehand and was told that the house was damaged by a noreaster and wouldn't be available. I was offered a 'comparable' house (oceanfront, same amt of bedrooms, etc.) When we got there, we found out it wasn't comparable AT ALL. Right off the bat, the front door lock needed to be replaced, it took us at least 10 minutes to get it open, the tumblers were so rusted inside. My husband got slivers of rust stuck in his hand from trying to get it open. Decks were rickety, boards bent under my less than 120 lb. sister's weight, sections of the railing were literally falling off (a serious danger if we would have had little kids with us), the carpet was filthy, sand all over the floors, screens completely missing or ripped. We called about it, and were told someone would be out to fix the deck railing sometime that week, and to expect a call first. We got no call, and no one showed up, either. To top it all off, I found out that the house that we were supposed to stay in originally wasn't damaged, the owner decided he didn't want to deal with Vacasa, so he went with another company, as is his right. But the fact remains that I was LIED TO. (As a retired Realtor, this really disgusts me. It's highly unethical to lie to clients!)
Needless to say, we will avoid Vacasa like the plague from now on!

As a geophysicist and meteorologist, I yearned to visit OBX. We stsyed in Rodanthe during March 2018. Beware that many restaurants and attractions arent open til Easter or later. No prob. We came for natural scenery. And no crowds or heat. Enjoyed the ocean's roar during an intense Nor'easter, record March winds, and snow! We were saddened to see storms devastation, over development of this fragile ecosystem, and lack of care in some neighborhoods...construction debris piled about after high winds and water. It made the part of Rodanthe we were staying in perilous for walking (with or without our dog)! The area we stayed in was nearly empty and it felt a bit unsafe. We felt unwelcome in some local establishments, like we'd crashed a party. In others, we felt very welcome. While I am glad we were able to rent a beachfront cottage to relax and enjoy time to decompress, the realization that these barrier islands should have never been developed on and that Mother Nature will eventually win the battle left me with a sadness. This coupled with the stark juxtasposition of commercialized amusements/attractions, jarring unnatural colored buildings vs the natural beauty of beach, dunes, and water is just too harsh. That coupled with the need to constantly remove sand from NC-12...the entire barrier islands should have been left as a coastal protection mechanism and in a natural state. While I enjoyed the beauty, I can't see ever returning to this area. It is just too heart wrenching, like a window into a bygone era whose time has passed...

Wow! The drive to Hatteras from Kitty Hawk North Carolina was beautiful. Sand dunes line the road and offer a very tropical feel to the drive while getting to Hatteras. We visited the Hatteras lighthouse and read about its intriguing history. But for us the most beautiful part of Hatteras was arriving at the pier where the ferry takes you to Ocracoke Island. We unfortunately did not plan to take the ferry, but are definitely doing this upon our return next year. Yes that's right, we loved it so much that we are already planning our next vacation there. There are miles of endless beaches, where you can pull off and have your own private beach, And if you want to you can purchase a beach permit and drive on the beaches. What struck us the most was that there are no parking fees, no beach passes required, and there are literally miles and miles of absolutely pristine beaches to lay on. Did I mention the water is so warm that you can jump right in? You have truly visited the essence of the Outer Banks when you go to Hatteras. Don't miss it!

We usually visit in August but this year we came down the last week of September and it was gorgeous. There was a full moon while we were there so the waves were incredible. Made for some great boogie boarding. There are usually protected turtle nests around but with the recent hurricane we didn’t see any this time. Always a good time with a drink in hand and sand between your toes.

This is one of the most beautiful areas of the coast of North Carolina and it gets damaged by storms over and over again year in and year out. Nature is amazing and somehow we have managed to coexist with it in a very tenuous way. If you're in this area I strongly recommend you take the time to visit.

This is our first visit to Outer Banks and how different it is compared to other beaches in US. As you drive you see miles AMD smiles of pristine beach with sparse population. You can stop by at many places and climb atop the sand dunes and witness the pristine seas. The beaches are to be experienced for its vileness and privact. You have to experience it to believe it.

Nice visit to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Good time reading the historical information. The park employees were excellent at interacting with visitors and providing good historical information.

Spend some time walking to the top of the light house. If was really a great afternoon. The weather was great and we enjoy our day.

Can't pass up the opportunity to walk the grounds, visit the gift shop and then visit the beach all in the same area. The lighthouse wasn't open yet (opens in April), but we enjoyed the giftshop with local history and artwork, both lighthouse and sea related. The beach is easy to get to, short walk to a beautiful spot. Beyond the Britsh cemetary is a very nice easy trail walk, a few miles long if you do the whole thing. Found jasmine and other flowering planta there this month.

Very beautiful area, lots of scenery, widelife, ocean and bay areas to explore. They were doing beach restoration all this month, luckily not where we were staying. It was neat to see how it was accomplished .

I've never been a beach person but I love the Cape Hatteras and Lookout National Seashores. Nothing but deep blue ocean and dunes, unblemished by resorts and overcrowding. I've spotted dolphins many times. Tons of seabirds and critters that burrow in the sand. Some areas are fantastic for collecting shells. The farther south you go, away from Nags Head/Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills, the fewer people.

We didn’t realize children below 42” couldn’t go in the light house and it had stormed about an hour prior to our arrival and the lighthouse was therefore closed for the day. So we decided to go to the museum at 4:30, thinking we would have 30 mins, based on the signs, but it closed at 4:40. Highlight for the kids was seeing the turtles in the nearby pond.

We make it a habit to visit every National Park and have yet to be disappointed. Miles of beaches, lighthouses to climb, sand dunes, driving on beaches, swimming, boating, restaurants, camping. You will not be bored or disappointed. See what our country has to offer. Dogs welcomed.

It's 75 miles from the Wright Brothers Memorial on the north end of the Outer Banks to the Hatteras Ferry. A reservation is required to take the ferry south to Ocracoke and if you are not there on time, it isn't going to wait for you. So manage you time wisely.

Beautiful setting, great history. My 4 year old was extremely disappointed that he could not go up the light house. Additionally, $8.00 for an adult and $4.00 under 13 years old, to climb a lighthouse seems excessive especially for a National Park.

This is a must see icon! We went just before sunset and go some awesome pictures. You do not want to miss seeing this if you go to the OBX!

This is a huge stretch of wonderful clean beaches. We were in one of the shoulder seasons, so the crowds were simply not here. Mile after mile of unspoiled coastline punctuated with a few beach settlements.

If you've ever wondered about the beautiful views atop of a lighthouse, than look no further than this one. The tallest lighthouse in North Carolina with one of the most beautiful views ever. The history and the experiance make it all worth it. You will not be dissapointed.

As we were headed to dinner we pulled off into Salvo to view the sunset. Beautiful view of the sound and the sun as it set for the evening.

Even though we were bummed the lighthouse was closed due to a thinderstorm, we still enjoyed the museum & especially liked the story of how the lighthouse moved almost 1,500 ft from it's original home.
We walked out onto the beach near the point & the water was crystal clear & felt so refreshing with the oppressive humidity of the day!

This is a beautiful area of the Outer Banks. There's great public beach access everywhere with many areas having changing rooms, showers and bathroom facilities as well as information boards. The lighthouse is great to visit. It is quite a climb to the top but well worth it. There are landings to rest on if needed. Be sure and check out the museum here too. I would recommend making the climb in the morning during the hot months. Love the beaches here so many options of things to do water related. Just wish we had more time to enjoy them all. Love the fact that the beaches were not crowed at all. At some public areas you might not even see another person for miles. We will be going back.

Amazing miles of beaches and unspoiled habitat/scenery. I drove all the way down to the lighthouse and then walked down the beach to the point. The fury of the sea was so powerful and I thought of all the lives lost there over the centuries. So glad I made the effort.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Buxton

Fascinating Historical Site

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Hatteras Light has alerted sailors to the very dangerous shoals off the southern tip of the Outer Banks for over two centuries. The original light was replaced by a taller, sturdier structure in 1870. The light was subsequently moved several times to free-standing towers to increase its visibility, but the structures (the lighthouse, the keeper's residence, and related outbuildings) remained where they had stood since 1870. By 1999, the ocean was just 15 feet from the base of the light and so the entire compound was moved 1500 feet inland to where it now stands. We were visiting the Outer Banks in the summer of 1999 and were able to see the move as a work in progress.The path of the move is still visible, and looking at it, one is stunned by the magnitude of the task! In addition to the historic nature of the light, the ocean and beach are lovely. Visit the National Park website for more information and details. Definitely a MUST SEE!

Probably the most impressive thing here is how wild the beaches are. Big waves and high wind makes it seem wilder. Simple drive between cities. Take the scenic route.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, one of the most recognizable on the East Coast. It's a tough climb to the top, but the views from up there are well worth it.

Beautiful and scenic! There're are many places to stop and view the area. Quiet area and a must for outdoor - nature people to enjoy. If visiting the lighthouses make sure to get there early as they are limited to climbers. Enjoy!

We enjoyed our trip to Coquina Beach - part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It is a long stretch of sand, sea Oates and dunes. Coquina has parking, restrooms and dressing rooms. (No fees). There is a park ranger and a lifeguard on duty. It is a lovely spot to relax and enjoy the beach.
It is a little hard to find. From highway 64 take highway 12 South for 5 miles or more. Watch the signs carefully it is easy to miss the turn off.

If you have kids and wants to stay safe from Covid by being away from crowd, go there. Most folks follow Covid protocols. One thing to note 60 percent of business are closed and rest has shorter hours during off season. So groceries are your safety net unless you like to drive an hour.

Hatteras lighthouse a must see, pretty beaches, great small town places to eat & shops. Everything for fishing. Free ferry to Ocracoke.

When you think of the outer banks, you think of wild, wide open, serene and quiet spaces. Well, the north end of the outer banks really doesn't have much of that, and it's become a very popular place to live and vacation. But Hatteras National Seashore still has much of that other worldly feel to it, and the beaches there at sunrise are simply something to behold. Super quiet and lonely, you're likely to be one of a few people out there all by yourself. The beaches and dunes are beautiful. Most definitely worth checking out on an early morning.

There are 257 steps in Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. You get a timed ticket and the ranger lets in your group. Steps a re wide enough for people to pass each other going up and down. There is a nice visitor center/shop. They show the wonderful video of how engineers were able to move the lighthouse years ago when it was in danger of being damaged.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a beautiful beach/seashore. It's not crowded or overdeveloped and is a great place for fishing. Well worth the drive!

We stayed a weekend in Hatteras. It was absolutely beautiful. A lot of bridges and straight highways with a lot of sand. Defiantly worth the trip

We had a great time here, clean, plenty of space, I recommend you get an off road vehicle permit and drive on the beach.

We spent the day in multiple locations. Bodie lighthouse and Hatteras lighthouse visitor centers. We also went to the beach directly across highway from Bodie lighthouse. Life guards on duty. Beach seems eell maintained. Rip tide was very strong so just stayed ankle or shin deep. But two New Mexico boys had fun. Beach had nice restrooms and changing areas. Very family friendly. The whole Gatteras island area is fascinating. Several more days left to explore. Every staff member we interacted with very nice at all locations.

We stayed for 4 days with family. Other than riptides we had lots of fun at the beach. Lots of news restaurants in the Waves area.

Soft sand. Dog friendly. You can have fires on the beach at night. Not crowded at all. The only annoyance is you can fish on the beach. I almost became the catch of the day yesterday, so that could have been bad.

The Atlantic Ocean in Hatteras has perfect temperature! Refreshing to dip in. It is blue or green or a combination of both on a sunny day. It has no seaweeds, no pointy, sharp rocks and no jelly fish. The sand is clean. So is the water which is also clear.

There is warning posted about rip tides. The waves could push one down as well but fun.

Beautiful beaches all over its length!

A national treasure. The new expanded bookstore has allowed the keepers' quarters to be expanded for museum displays. The light and the Cape have a long and storied history well worth discovering. One can also climb the 248 steps to the top of the lighthouse for a fee - but have plenty of stamina if you undertake this!

This year is our tenth trip to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Just take highway 12 south after Nags Head and relax. Beautiful beaches all the way to Okracoke Island. The people are all very friendly. Fresh seafood is the best and the sun rises on the ocean side are as good as the sunsets on the sound side. I love this place.

Outer Beaches Realty (OBR) does not achieve service and real estate expectations of a property management company y. It is clear they neglect inspecting and maintaining their cognizant property(ies). They do not desire to address issues during your stay (or better in advance) and take no pride in providing properties and amenities, customer service consistent with listing description and thus corresponding cost.

EXPERIENCE: We have just begun renting a home in hatteras, Outer Beaches call us just before arrival and ask that we don't use the main door because the floor is soft and they have a contractor coming to fix it at 8AM. Not a problem. We arrive and settle into the house, pretty much crash for the night. wake up in the morning and there is no contractor to be seen to address the rotten floor and no call to notify us they wouldn't be making it at all that day. Go to cook breakfast and the stove and oven do not work. In the meanwhile try to bring groceries up and the elevator does not call from the first floor.... no internet, no cable TV, no phone. Then we rent golf carts and plug them in to charge and outlet begins smoking, they did send someone to inspect and the electrician stated "this is bad." Go to cook on grill because we have no functioning stove or oven and it seriously leaks propane. Here we are 3 days in and they have only addressed the floor (on day 3) and the cable but nothing else. They have offered us a $50 gift certificate which "we can drive 18 miles to go pick up" and along the way only state "they have phone calls out to get items fixed" and that is all they can do they have a lot of other issues they are addressing." Outer Beaches is the property management company. They should be ashamed for taking a commission on renting this home ! They are gouging the home owner.OBR should refund their homeowners of the commission they take and the renters of the services they are unable to provide consistent with the listing. Clearly OBR is not doing their job and managing the property as there is NO way all of the issues happen overnight." 3's a Charm, 56406 NC 12. May 9 - May 16, 2021.

We travelled from Atlantic Beach, NC to Kitty Hawk and stopped here during our travels, the above route will take you all day with 2 ferry rides along the way.
Make a reservation online ahead of the Cedar Island ferry as this ferry is 2 1/2 hrs to get you over to Ocracoke.

Almost run over by a local and told to go back to New York or New Jersey 20’ from the dunes when I was with my daughter. Be careful when you go to any beaches people drive on

Cape Hatteras lighthouse is worth the trip from wherever you are staying on the OBX!! Great amenities, museum, and access to climb to the top of the lighthouse for spectacular 360 degree vistas! There is a fee to climb the 257 stairs!! Hatteras is also great for fishing and surfing, too. Lots of places to eat while passing through the nearby towns.

Beautiful place to pull over and walk out to the ocean. Not crowded at all. Several places to pull onto the beach with your ORV. The great wide open!

Beautiful area, very relaxing slow life. Plenty of access to the ocean or bayside.
Plenty of wonderful restaurants.

There was a very rude, judgemental ranger at the desk but other rangers were very helpful. Nice presentation on "War on Hatteras". Junior Ranger book was very intensive.
Glad to see that they have preserved the 2nd tallest brick lighthouse in the world.

Once we were in Cape Hatteras and at Frisco Woods Campground, we took the F150 out to one of the gate entry ways nearby and we were able to drive on the beach and get a good spot for the day. We enjoyed the relaxing time and the Ocean.
It was a great experience because we cannot drive on our beaches in Canada and this was an experience of a lifetime.
Our kids loved it.

We love to come down while on vacation and off-road up and down the beach. Access is so easy with entrances all up and down the main road.

I planned a trip predicated on beach drives. Purchased an ORV permit no problem. Don't plan on using said permit. Once purchased (their website would not populate my information on permit), I was unable to print my permit due to rec.gov issue. Being in possession of a printed permit is a requirement for ORV access. After 3 hours on hold I was told too bad, so sad. Stay away if your plans involve beach driving.

On our day trip to Hatteras, there were public accesses as we went, all part of the National Seashore. Coming back, we pulled over at one to check it out. Despite the clouds and rain, people were on the beach. You can bring your vehicle on designated beaches with a permit. For a guy who’s been mostly used to NJ and the Eastern Shore, the dunes were quite impressive.

Amazingly beautiful and uncrowded. Our first trip was over 15 years ago and we just keep coming back. From the ferry ride between Hatteras and Ocracoke Island to basking on the pristine soft-sand, pristine beaches., along with swimming in the clean Atlantic waters, searching for seashells, the beaches are beautiful!! And uncrowded!! enjoy the pristine beauty of nature and smile!!!

Vote one of the best beaches - When we were there in June was not crowd and had life guards. Good place for shell hunting and taken pictures with Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the background.

Breath taking views, quite,lot's of undisturbed beaches to walk along. Found shell's and sea glass. Very pet friendly, great food.

this is by far the most awesome place to visit the actual height is amazing it has the lightkeepers house as a museum and all kinds of things to see the actual way they even moved the light house to move it \

Pristine isolated beach. There is so much beach here, you can always find a spot with few people and beautiful quiet. The sand is clean and the waves are constant. We got very lucky one day on the beach near Cape Point and found some amazing shells. Right now there are large sections of this beach closed for Bird Egg Hatching, but when it is open it is a treasure.

Absolute favorite beach to vacation. This is the old Outer Banks, with a small town feel and unique small businesses. Lots of things to see and do.

The protection of this great natural resource is wonderful. The NPS has done a good job of creating a Jr Ranger Program that really helps understand the greatness of this National Seashore. We traveled up and down the island. We really enjoyed the beach where the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse use to be with its easy walk to the water.

Beautiful lighthouses and grat historic sites along with wonderful beaches make this a must visit in the Outer Banks!

I first visited the Cape while stationed in Norfolk many years ago. The outer banks is worth the drive, and the time to get there. If you have time, go see the lighthouse and just stroll around the whole area and enjoy the ocean. Worth every moment!

We rented a jeep and took a drive on the beach. What an amazing treat. If you can afford it, by all means find a reputable company and do it. We were the only ones on a stretch of beach mid-week and it was incredible. The whole shore is really amazing. People seem to have a very high respect for preserving the area and it is greatly appreciated. Even if you don't have a 4x4 you can park and walk to the shore. Just amazing!

This is the first time we've ever been to OBX. We have heard from many that it was amazing but didn't truly understand what all the fuss is about until we came! It is not commercialized at all, which we love! No chain restaurants or stupid entertainment spots clogging up the area. Just miles of beaches, dunes, local shops and restaurants. Tbh, we made food at the house we rented so we didn't even try any restaurants near by, but there were quite a few that looked like they'd be good. Also as a family with young kids, we don't like all the craziness that comes with other beaches. We don't do any of the shows or themed restaurants or anything. We like a low key relaxing beach vacation and this delivers and more! We made the trip to see the Cape Hatteras lighthouse and it was amazing! We also paid the $50 fee for the week to be able to drive on the designated beaches. So worth it! This is the first time we have fished in the ocean, and while we didn't catch much, it was a great experience! This will be our new designated family vacation spot from here on out. My only regret is that we waited so long to make it here!

Absolutely beautiful area with beaches that go on forever. You get an amazing view no matter what direction you look. You can visit the Lighthouse, walk the beach or drive out to Cape Point. You could spend the entire day on the Seashore even in the offseason and still walk away impressed.

We have always wanted to visit but it was never convenient or we just didn’t have time. Now that we are retired we had no excuse! It was a fascinating trip, starting with the Ocracoke ferry and a tour all the way to the northern state line. We visited several lighthouse, including the Famous Cape Hatters Lighthouse which was relocated in the 1990’s. Beautiful site with a museum shop, which was closed when we were there. We stayed in Kitty Hawk. Roanoke Island is the site of the Lost Colony, and the birthplace of the first English child in America., Manteo a nice quaint downtown, and the incredible marina. We loved the area from Duck to Carolla for its shrub oak trees and lovely homes and vistas. The views of the marsh grasses trough the trees was particularly appealing and reminiscent of times long past.
The trip wouldn’t be complete without shopping! Local shops are abundant and there is a good sized outlet mall as well. The restaurants were generally good although as one would expect, Christmas Day offeredfew choices.
We loved our visit and highly recommend you plan a trip!

We had a great visit at the Cape Hatteras lighthouse! Go early because it gets crowded and mosquitoes are bad!

We love the Hatteras National Seashore! Miles and Miles of empty beaches with amazing views. Do yourself a favor and go here!

Airing down is a must. Specially after very little rain for a long while. Sand was like sugar and easy to get bogged down. Lots of fun the ruts can be teeth loosening.

I thought the OBX and this drive would be a great scenic drive on the way back to FL from a trip to Williamsburg, VA. This is definitely the least scenic "scenic" drive I have ever been on. Most of the drive is simply brush or flat lands, very little water or beach views. Nags Head and the towns along the way are eye sores and zoning is not in the dictionary here. We drove down from Norfolk, thru Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and down to the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. We doubled back to Roanoke Island to see Ft. Raleigh and the site of the lost Roanoke colony. It was definitely worth one visit to go to Kitty Hawk (Wright Bros. monument) and Ft. Raleigh, but I wouldn't recommend anything else in this area. We stayed the night in Nags Head. The whole area looks blighted, amazing how charming some areas of Roanoke Island are compared to this. I know this is something of a contrarian view, but if you were looking for a scenic drive, look elsewhere.

Beautiful, wild Seashore. So glad this area was put aside for generations to enjoy. Both the ocean & sound beaches were lovely. Great fun to watch the kite & wind surfers.

We did a quick visit to say we've been here and took a couple pictures. It didn't appear the lighthouse was open to view inside. Very different terrain on the drive to the lighthouse than what I'm used to seeing. It is a pretty drive.

The Cape Hatteras Seashore has so much to offer. Take a few days and make multiple stops to see and experience as much as possible.

Lots of beach, better if you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle and get the beach driving pass, $50.00 online. I can see in the middle of the summer tourist season things could get crowded as there is only one road in and out.

Cape Hatteras is a treasure. Rented a condo “beach side” and enjoyed early morning walks on the beach. Saw a deer running on the beach…that was a first!
It’s quiet and “almost” untouched. Sat on the beach and enjoy dolphins and even sharks! A Humpback Whale skull washed up on shore the day before I arrived!
If you’re looking for quiet, local food places that are great, this is the place…fresh seafood daily!!
You won’t be disappointed…it’s a wonderful place to just relax and slow down. I will definitely go back!!!

It's hard to visit the Outer Banks and not visit the National Seashore. Stretching for miles over multiple islands, the National Seashore includes beautiful beaches, highly-campgrounds, and historic structures and lighthouses.

It's possible to pick your favorite spot and stay for days, or to spend days exploring every nook and cranny of park!

We've always appreciated National Parks and Preserves, but once we visited the Outer Banks and saw the development first-hand, we appreciate them even more! In the areas outside the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, there are houses, some small and some huge, right on or just behind the dunes. In fact, in many places they are stacked next to each other in rows for miles and often they are three, four, five or more layers deep!

We applaud the National Park Service for preserving the Cape Hatteras National Seashore! We were surprised there was no park admission - the funds could be used for research, to support interpretive programs or to maintain infrastructure!

Another great visit to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.great beaches, saw a lot of dolphins! We spent hours,fishing, watching the surfers and kite surfers. Great experience!

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is amazing and beautiful and should be on everyone's bucket list and I believe everyone should try to make it there at least once!

We want to see the lighthouse in the National Shoreway which was absolutely beautiful. We go see this almost every year we come down here. We have been coming down to Cape Hatteras for the last 15 years. We rent houses through Hatteras Realty, or Outer Beaches! We love to stay mainly in Avon because there's more stuff close to you but we have also stayed in Rodanthe, waves and Salvo and they're all beautiful towns to stay in. We usually rent houses as a big family so we get like 8 to 10 bedroom homes with private pools either Ocean View Oceanfront soundfront and they're all taken care of very well through these realty companies! We highly recommend checking out the relaxation of staying on the island!

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is amazing. It is SO beautiful. We fished on one of the beaches within sight of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. It was so cool. The lighthouse is awesome, as is the gift shop. The people who work in the gift shop are SO nice, and very helpful.