Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (U.S. National Park Service)

Climbing the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a unique experience! The lighthouse is open from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day.

For the 2009 season, the Lighthouse will open on Friday, April 17. Climbing hours will be 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily in the spring and fall, and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 7, 2009 through Labor Day. The lighthouse will remain open through Columbus Day, Monday, October 12. Tickets are required.

The climb is strenuous! The 248 iron spiral stairs to the top equal climbing a 12 story building. The stairs have a handrail only on one side and a landing every 31 steps. There is no air conditioning. It may be noisy, humid, hot and dim inside the lighthouse and there is two-way traffic on the narrow stairs.

Visitors with heart, respiratory or other medical conditions, or who have trouble climbing stairs, should use their own discretion as to whether to climb the tower.

Climbing tour tickets are $7 for adults and $3.50 for senior citizens (62 or older), children (12 and under, and at least 42" tall), and those holding a National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Access Pass. Tickets are available on a first come/first served basis and can only be purchased in-person at the site the day of the climb. There are no advance ticket sales.

Ticket sales begin at 8:15 a.m. Climbing tours will begin at 9 a.m. and will run every 10 minutes with a limit of 30 visitors per tour. Ticket sales close at 4:30 p.m. in the spring and fall, and 5:30 p.m. June 8, 2008 through Labor Day. Ticket holders should arrive at the lighthouse gate five minutes prior to their ticketed tour time.

The lighthouse may close at any time if weather conditions are unsafe.

The following safety rules apply:

Children must be at least 42” tall and capable of climbing all steps on their own.
Children under 12 must be escorted by an adult.
No person may be lifted or carried.
Running, jumping, or stomping on stairs and landings is prohibited.
Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew tobacco.
No pets, other than service animals.
Do not arrive in heels over 1 ½ inches high or in bare feet.
Leave umbrellas in your car.
Backpacks, tripods, coolers, beach bags, surfboards, fishing poles, etc. also need to be left in your car.
Throwing of objects, including frisbees, boomerangs, etc, off the lighthouse is unsafe and may get you in big trouble!

Climbing tours may be booked in advance for some school groups.