In my opinion, a trip to the Outer Banks isn't complete without stopping by a lighthouse. The iconic lighthouses of the Outer Banks are cool to look at, but they're even better to climb! Now that it is spring, lighthouse climbing season has officially returned!
OBX is home to five lighthouses. Peppered between Corolla and Ocracoke Island, they are close enough that they can all be visited in one day- although it is better to split them up. These lighthouses are Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Ocracoke Island Lighthouse. Three of these (Bodie, Currituck, and Cape Hatteras) can be climbed.
The lighthouses open their magnificent (and somewhat intimidating) staircases seasonally to allow guests to hike to the top and take in stunning views.
Bodie Island Lighthouse reopens for climbing on April 27. The 165-foot tower will stay open until early Fall. The structure's 150th year is coming up, so expect lots of fun, celebratory events throughout the summer! To climb Bodie, grab a ticket here: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143
Currituck Beach Lighthouse opened for climbing in March and is now open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM! You have to climb over 200 steps to reach the top, but it is totally worth it! Cape Hatteras has been closed since 2019, but rumor has it that they may offer limited tours this summer. Keep an eye out for announcements from the National Park Service.
This spring and summer, climb to the top of an Outer Banks lighthouse! Just be sure to bring your hiking shoes and a water bottle!
