Cape Lookout National Seashore Tours

Overview:

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. Wave crash, winds blow, currents shift, and storms batter this dynamic landscape, where change is certain and survival difficult.

Step off a ferry and into a world where birds outnumber people and wild Shackleford horses roam. Wiggle your toes in the sand, gather shells, and surf cast. In the midst of this changing landscape, the renewal of life is evident. Sea turtles, piping plovers, and American oystercatchers return each year to lay eggs on the same beach where their lives began.

Join a ranger-guided tour to enhance your exploration of this remote island. Climb the historic lighthouse during the day (sold at park), or join the Horse Sense and Survival tour to walk among the wild horses, enjoy the beach and ocean views and connect with the rhythms of nature.

The Evening at the Cape tour offers visitors the chance to walk on the beach, tour the lighthouse keeper's quarters and climb the lighthouse under a full moon, with one of the best night sky views on the east coast.

Summary of Fees

Tour Name General Admission Changes* Reservation fee Cancellations**(per ticket) Evening at the Cape Tour $28.00 $0.00 $0.00 $3.00 Horse Sense and Survival $0.00 $0.00 $1.50
(non-refundable) $0.00 *Customers may request changes until midnight Eastern Time the day before the tour.
**Customers who cancel any tour after this time (or no-shows) Will forfeit the tour fee.

Harkers Island Visitor Center. The Harkers Island 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. Follow US 70 East. Turn onto Harkers Island Road (SR 1332/SR 1335). Follow Harkers Island Road until it terminates. On the left is the two-story Visitor Center. 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, 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.

Beaufort Visitor Information Center.The Beaufort Visitor Information Center is located in the town of Beaufort, NC at 701 Front Street which is on the corner of Pollock Street and Front Street. Short-term parking is available on Front Street in front of the Visitor Information Center. From Memorial Day to Labor Day: the Town of Beaufort meters parking on Front Street. Visitors must pay to park (or park on a side street). Please visit the Town of Beaufort's parking webpage or call the Town Hall at (252) 728-2141 for information on metered, free, and time-limited parking areas.