Cape Lookout National Seashore Duck Blind Lottery

Cape Lookout National Seashore, on the southern Outer Banks, is wild, beautiful, and remote. This isolated strip of sand is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier island systems in the world. Waves crash, winds blow, currents shift, and storms batter this dynamic landscape, where change is certain and survival difficult. Congress established Cape Lookout National Seashore to preserve a unique environment and to provide outdoor recreational opportunities. This includes managing hunting activities in a way that is compatible with other recreational uses. Construction of temporary duck blinds is allowed under a park special use permit. Sites for permitted duck blinds are chosen by lottery in late August each year and then on a first come, first served basis at the Harkers Island Visitor Center after that. Permitted blinds must be removed before March 31. Construction of permanent blinds is prohibited. The permit application form is located on the Cape Lookout National Seashore website and should be completed and brought to the park on the day of your scheduled appointment.

Harkers Island Visitor Center & Administrative Offices This visitor center is located on the eastern end of Harkers Island, approximately 20 mi (30 km) east of Beaufort, NC and 30 mi (50 km) south of the Cedar Island terminus of the North Carolina State Ferry route from Ocracoke Island to Cedar Island. From Beaufort or Morehead City: Follow US 70 EAST. Turn right onto Harkers Island Road (SR 1332/SR 1335). Follow Harkers Island Road until it terminates. On the left is the two-story visitor center. From Cedar Island: Take NC 12 SOUTH past the Atlantic turnoff to US 70 WEST. Continue on US 70 to Harkers Island Road (SR1332/SR 1335). Turn left onto Harkers Island Road and follow it until it terminates. On the left is the two-story visitor center. If Using a GPS: The park mailing address does not bring you to the Harkers Island Visitor Center parking lot. If you are using a GPS device, you can use the parking lot coordinates (34.68494,-76.52725). If you are using a mapping service, the following address approximates the location of the parking lot entrance: 1800 Island Road, Harkers Island, NC 28531. Upon arrival, enter the Visitor Center and go to the Front Desk. Tell the staff that you are there for your Duck Blind scheduled appointment and give them your name. They will notify Visitor and Resource Protection staff who will come out to the lobby to meet you and escort you to the offices.