{"id":"nps-calo","slug":"cape-lookout-national-seashore","name":"Cape Lookout National Seashore","designation":"National Seashore","category":"national-seashore-lakeshore","categoryLabel":"National Seashore and Lakeshore","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"CALO","designation":"National Seashore","sourceId":"nps-calo"}],"states":["NC"],"stateNames":["North Carolina"],"location":{"lat":34.8267961,"lon":-76.34319082},"bbox":[-76.6653,34.5813,-76.0316,35.0743],"acres":{"value":29484,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic villages--there’s something for everyone at Cape Lookout. Be sure to bring all the food, water, and supplies you need (and carry your trash out of the park) when visiting these remote beaches.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/calo/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=35.0743&b_tl_lng=-76.6653&b_br_lat=34.5813&b_br_lng=-76.0316","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Cape%20Lookout%20National%20Seashore","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"cover":{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C86A358-1DD8-B71B-0BC275CB93DB8D43.jpg","title":"Cape Lookout Lighthouse","alt":": Black & white patterned tower of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse stands against a blue & white cloud f","credit":"NPS photo","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/calo/index.htm","tier":1,"source":"National Park Service"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C86A358-1DD8-B71B-0BC275CB93DB8D43.jpg","title":"Cape Lookout Lighthouse","alt":": Black & white patterned tower of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse stands against a blue & white cloud f","credit":"NPS photo","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/calo/index.htm","source":"National Park Service","cover":true},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/D6A6C7B3-FB79-E0BB-46EF5A26D80627CD.jpg","title":"American Oystercatcher","alt":"A bird with orange bill and orange legs runs along the tide line. Waves in the background","caption":"The American Oystercatcher, one of the protected species in the park, forages along the shoreline.","credit":"NPS Photo / Sabrina Godin","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/D6F5397E-D4CE-568F-76B033BE644D370C.jpg","title":"Camping Under the Stars","alt":"A red light illuminates a tent on the sand, with a star filled sky behind it.","caption":"Campers enjoying the preserved night sky at Cape Lookout National Seashore.","credit":"NPS Photo / Sabrina Godin","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/D91FD805-ABA5-2D22-8FC4CF84D7610737.jpg","title":"Shelling at the Seashore","alt":"A seashell lays in the sand, with the sun setting in the background.","caption":"A perfect shell waits to pick up by a sheller.","credit":"NPS Photo / Sabrina Godin","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/D728E422-907E-4F01-57653FC7CEFC9E23.jpg","title":"Loggerhead Sea Turtle","alt":"A sand covered turtles flings sand on the beach while laying eggs.","caption":"A Loggerhead sea turtle, one of 4 species that nest at Cape Lookout, crawls on the beach.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/D95446A8-C2B7-6787-7F14A2F008E1ACA0.jpg","title":"Beach Driving","alt":"A Jeep drives on the sand in between grass covered dunes.","caption":"Visitors drive on the beach at Cape Lookout National Seashore","credit":"NPS Photo / Sabrina Godin","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/D9B56B32-B84A-DA13-837BA4D99EC54CA7.jpg","title":"Angler on the Seashore","alt":"A angler sits in a chair, with two fishing poles in the sand. Lighthouse in background.","caption":"An angler enjoys the remoteness of South Core Banks.","credit":"NPS Photo / Sabrina Godin","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Auto and ATV","ATV Off-Roading","Auto Off-Roading","Astronomy","Stargazing","Boating","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Canoe or Kayak Camping","Fishing","Saltwater Fishing","Hunting and Gathering","Hunting","Paddling","Canoeing","Canoe or Kayak Camping","Kayaking","Junior Ranger Program","Swimming","Saltwater Swimming","Wildlife Watching","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite","Enslavement","Maritime","Coastal Defenses","Lighthouses","Wars and Conflicts","Civil War","Animals","Horses (wild)","Tortoises and Turtles","Night Sky","Astronomy","Unique Species","Endangered"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Cape Lookout National Seashore","description":"Cape Lookout National Seashore has 3 offshore barrier islands that are open 24 hours and 365 days a year (weather permitting). Operating hours for visitor centers and other services will vary throughout the year.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"Cape Lookout National Seashore can be reached without taking a ferry: the Visitor Center on Harkers Island, NC. Please note: the park mailing address does not bring you to the Harkers Island Visitor Center parking lot. If you are using a GPS device - use the parking lot coordinates (34.68494, -74.52725) or the following \"address\" which approximates the location of the parking lot entrance: 1800 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531","weatherInfo":"Spring: Temperatures generally range from 50 F to 70+ F. Rain & wind are common Summer: Temperatures usually range from 80 F to 100 F with high humidity (80-90%). Average wind speed is 10-15 mph. Be prepared with plenty of water. With little shade on the islands, an umbrella to provide shade from the sun is a good idea. Fall: Temperatures usually range from the high 70 F to the upper 40 F. Winter: Temperatures usually range from 50 F - 32 F. Winds can be strong. Dress in layers.","contacts":{"phone":"2527282250","email":"CALO_VC@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Harkers Island Visitor Center","description":"Available Facilities: Restrooms, first aid, ferry ticket booth, picnic area, and a kayak launch site. Programs and Amenities: Exhibits on island history and ecology including the Shackleford Banks horses; interactive map of the park; Discovery Room with sounds of the seashore game, a touch table and other kid friendly activities; the park film is shown upon request; book store; Ranger programs and free Junior Ranger and Junior Ranger Adventures activity guides","url":"http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":34.685654145,"lon":-76.526237972},{"name":"Light Station Visitor Center","description":"Available Facilities: Restrooms, first aid, shade shelter, water fountain. Purchase tickets for climbing the lighthouse at the ticket window. Also available: park passport stamp station, free Jr Ranger & Jr Ranger Activity guides, bookstore, beach wheelchair (free rental) Located on South Core Banks near the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, this visitor center is reached only by the park ferry or private boat. Open from mid-March through October, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM daily.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":34.62415,"lon":-76.5234},{"name":"Great Island Cabin Office","description":"Located at Great Island on South Core Banks, this area is only reached by either the park ferry or your personal boat. The vehicle ferry coming from Davis, NC lands here, dropping off 4-wheel drive vehicles and passengers. The Office is open seasonally from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM daily. Available facilities: First Aid, park passport stamp, free Jr Ranger booklet, beach wheelchair (free rental), recreation permits","url":"http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":34.76087,"lon":-76.41223},{"name":"Portsmouth Visitor Center","description":"Located in the historic Theodore & Annie Salter House (The first house on the right of the path from Haulover Dock) in Portsmouth Village on North Core Banks. Available Facilities: Restrooms, first aid, park passport stamp; Exhibits on maritime history and village life","url":"http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":35.0697900996,"lon":-76.0639169997}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"South Core Banks -- Beach camping","description":"Dispersed camping along the ocean beach of this 20 mile long barrier island -- this is backcountry-style camping -- all camping is done directly on the ocean beach, there are no camp sites. This area is reached only by ferry. Both tent camping and vehicle camping is allowed. Vehicles -- 4x4 highly recommended -- must be able to drive on the soft sand of the beach and the sand trail behind the dunes known as the \"back road\". There are no hard surfaces on the island. Practice Leave No Trace principles.","url":"https://go.nps.gov/x2s8yq","reservationUrl":null,"sites":0},{"name":"Great Island Cabin Camp","description":"Great Island Cabin Camp offers 23 rustic, wooden beachfront cabins with porches for individuals and families or small groups of up to 12 people. Cabins range in size from 288 to 960 sq ft., and Cabin 2 is accessible. All cabins are wired for generator use, needed to power electricity. Guests must provide their own generators, no larger than 5,500 watts or equipped with a GFI.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/lodging.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233332","sites":23},{"name":"North Core Banks - Beach Camping","description":"Dispersed camping along the ocean beach of this 20- barrier island -- this is backcountry-style camping -- all camping is done directly on the ocean beach, there are no camp sites. This area is reached only by ferry. Both tent camping and vehicle camping is allowed. Vehicles -- 4x4 highly recommended -- must be able to drive on the soft sand of the beach and the sand trail behind the dunes known as the \"back road\". There are no hard surfaces on the island. Practice Leave No Trace principles.","url":"","reservationUrl":null,"sites":0}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"cedar-island-national-wildlife-refuge","km":15},{"slug":"swanquarter-national-wildlife-refuge","km":60},{"slug":"croatan-national-forest","km":61},{"slug":"mattamuskeet-national-wildlife-refuge","km":76},{"slug":"cape-hatteras-national-seashore","km":91},{"slug":"pocosin-lakes-national-wildlife-refuge","km":98}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=calo"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.609Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Passenger Ferry Dock Closed; Visitors Deboard via Beach Landing","text":"The ferry dock servicing the Cape Lookout Lighthouse area is closed for repairs. Visitors will deboard the ferry in front of the lighthouse. To reach the boardwalk, visitors will need to walk 5–10 minutes on soft sand. Depending on the tide, visitors may also need to walk through water.","url":null,"updated":"2026-05-27 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-A3BAAA79-E8FD-49AD-A3F6-A2B395572020"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/cape-lookout-national-seashore/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/cape-lookout-national-seashore.geojson"}