Last Updated on September 16, 2024 by Nikole
North Carolina has much to offer when it comes to beautiful historic sites, and these amazing NC lighthouses don’t disappoint.
There is some debate as to how many lighthouses are in North Carolina, that’s because most of the current lighthouses are rebuilds or replicas of old structures. Rebuilding was necessary due to corrosion, drifting off to sea, or leaning towers.
There are 8 standing lighthouses in North Carolina 4 of which you can climb anytime between spring and fall months. These lighthouses dot the shoreline from Outer Banks to Brunswick Island- Here is a map of the North Carolina Lighthouses so you can make a road trip.
Let’s go over the currently standing lighthouses in North Carolina. Here is a list of all the structures we cover in this post.
| Lighthouse | Location | Price | Steps to the Top | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currituck Beach Lighthouse | 1101 Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC 27927 | $13 | 220 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| Bodie Island Lighthouse | 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Rd, Nags Head, NC 27959 | $10 | 214 | Summer months only |
| Cape Hatteras Lighthouse | 46379 Lighthouse Road, Buxton, NC 27920 | No Price | 257 | Not open |
| Ocracoke Lighthouse | Lighthouse Road, Ocracoke, NC 27960 | Free/ No tours | 86 | 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:30 – 4 p.m. |
| Bald Head Lighthouse | 101 Light House Wynd, Bald Head Island, NC 28461 | $8 entrance fee + $23 ferry toll | 108 | Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
| Oak Island Lighthouse | 300a Caswell Beach Rd, Oak Island, NC 28465 | Free | 131 | Visit Oakislandlighthouse.com |
| Cape Lookout Lighthouse | 1800 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531 | Not open to climb | 107 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. |
| Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse | 104 Fernando St, Manteo, NC 27954 | Free | None | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. |
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Are Lighthouses still needed in North Carolina?
Although Lighthouses are not technically needed for their old uses in North Carolina (navigational aid for ships), some, like Oak Island Lighthouse, still shine their beam across the waters.
The 7 lighthouses still stand tall and are open for tours so you can learn the vast history of these structures.
1. Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Currituck Beach Lighthouse is located in Corolla, North Carolina, and was built in 1875.
This particular lighthouse stands 162 feet tall and includes 220 spiraling steps that lead you to the top. Along the way to the top, you will notice the red bricks remain unpainted- these 1 million red bricks were used in construction due to their ability to withstand weather and various other elements.
At the top, you will see 360 views of the surrounding area including;
- Currituck Sound
- Atlantic Ocean
- Northern Outer Banks
When you finish touring the lighthouse, be sure to check out the gift shop and historical displays located near the base of the lighthouse.
Location: 1101 Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC 27927
Price: $13 per person (must be 4 or older to climb)
Steps to the top: 220
Hours of Operation: Open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(open until 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays Memorial Day – Labor Day)
2. Bodie Island Lighthouse
Bodie Island Lighthouse is the third standing of 2 previous lighthouses. The other designs were destroyed.
The first was built in 1847 and was soon destroyed because the elements were rough and caused a lean in the lighthouse. The second lighthouse was built in 1858 but was destroyed by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
Here are a few interesting facts about the current Bodie Island Lighthouse:
- – 156 feet tall
- – 214 steps
- – Views of the ocean and marshland
- – Built in 1872
- – Shines a light at 19 miles
The surrounding area includes a gift shop, a walking area over the marsh, and the lighthouse. You can walk the grounds for free and there is ample parking.
Unfortunately, like most lighthouses in North Carolina, you can only hike the stairs seasonally. When we went in February, the gift shop was open, but the lighthouse was not.
Location: 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Rd, Nags Head, NC 27959
Price: $10 per person
Steps to the Top: 214 steps
Hours of Operation: Summer months only
3. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Cape Hatteras was built in 1803 and now stands 198 feet tall making it the tallest lighthouse in North Carolina and the US! It’s famous for its pattern of black-and-white spiraling together.
The original lighthouse that stood in the now-existing lighthouse’s place was only 90 feet tall but wasn’t quite tall enough to guide ships safely, thus 60 feet was added.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was also moved 2,900 feet from its original spot due to shoreline erosion.
Climbing is closed due to restoration efforts, but you can still walk the grounds, shop at the gift shop, and view the structure and surrounding area.
Current Location of Cape Hatteras: 46379 Lighthouse Road, Buxton, North Carolina 27920
Original Location of Cape Hatteras: Buxton, NC 27920
Price: Unsure- it’s not open to climb until the summer of 2026 due to restoration.
Steps to the Top: Approximately 257 steps
Hours of Operation: Not posted: Unsure
4. Ocracoke Lighthouse
Ocracoke Lighthouse stands about 75 feet tall and is known to be a secondary lighthouse. Secondary lighthouses are smaller than first-order lighthouses, such as Bodie Island, and have less powerful bulbs.
Ocracoke Lighthouse was built in 1824 making it one of the older lighthouses in North Carolina but not the oldest.
There is plenty of parking available just a short walk from the structure. You can view the lighthouse from the base, but due to renovations, you cannot climb its 86 steps.
Location: Lighthouse Road
Ocracoke, North Carolina 27960
Price: Free/ No tours available
Steps to the Top: 86
Hours of Operation: Every day
- 10 AM–12:30 PM
- 1:30–4 PM
5. Bald Head Lighthouse
Bald Head Lighthouse is located on Bald Head Island and is only reachable by ferry. The ferry is around $23 and to tour the lighthouse.
Bald Head Lighthouse or “Old Baldy” was built in 1817 making it the oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina.
This structure is 110 feet tall and contains 108 steps to the top, where you can view Cape Fear. Along with your tickets to climb Old Baldy, there will be a museum and gift shop located in the old lightkeeper’s housing unit.
Location: 101 Light House Wynd, Bald Head Island, NC 28461
Price: $8 per person entrance fee + $23 ferry toll
Steps to the Top: 108 steps
Hours of Operation: Tuesday- Saturday 10 AM- 3:30 PM
Read More: Visiting Old Baldy and Oak Island Lighthouse
6. Oak Island Lighthouse in North Carolina
Oak Island Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in North Carolina that contains ship ladders in place of a spiral staircase and is also the newest light station in the state.
While finding things to do on Oak Island be sure to climb these 131 steps to view the Atlantic Ocean..
This NC lighthouse was built in 1957 and stands 148 feet. Top tours are only available by reservation but are free. You can walk up, like we did, and take a tour up the first flight of stairs- this tour is also free.
Location: 300a Caswell Beach Rd, Oak Island, NC 28465
Price: Free, may need reservations
Steps to the Top: 131
Hours of Operation: Visit Oakislandlighhouse.com for changing tour and time info.
7. Cape Lookout Lighthouse
Cape Lookout Lighthouse is located along the Cape Lookout National Seashore and was built in 1859. The diamond-shaped patterns reach up to 161 feet along the lighthouse walls.
You may notice the light still comes on during the day and flashes every 15 seconds. You can view it at least 12 miles away.
The original one was built in 1812 and you can still find the foundation if you walk along the boardwalk next to this structure.
Unfortunately, you can’t climb the 107 steps yet (restoration of the lighthouse is not finished), but you can tour the lightkeeper’s house near the base, which was built in 1873.
Location: 1800 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531
Price: None yet
Steps to the Top: 107
Hours of Operation: Mid-March to the End of October/ Friday- Saturday 5:30 PM-8:30 PM
8. Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse in North Carolina is unique because there are no steps to the top of the house. All you have to do is walk down a 40-yard dock to get to it.
The original two Roanoke Lighthouses were built in the 1800s but were soon abandoned because of extensive repairs.
The current lighthouse standing in this spot is a replica of the third one, originally built in 1877. The third lighthouse was lost in the sound while being relocated to a private buyer.- Yikes! Imagine losing a whole lighthouse.
The replica of that third lighthouse was built in 2004 and is open to the public for viewing.
We came across this lighthouse when touring and shopping in the local center. Be sure to check out the shops and dining area while you visit… it’s pretty cool!
Location: 104 Fernando St, Manteo, NC 27954
Price: Free
Steps to the Top: None
Hours of Operation: Monday- Friday 8:30 AM- 5 PM/ Saturday- Sunday 12 PM- 4 PM
In Conclusion
All these lighthouses in North Carolina are viewable whether by climbing or walking around them. Either way, you don’t want to miss out on this extraordinary maritime adventure.
