The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will open to the public for climbing on Friday, April 16, and remain open through Columbus Day, Oct. Climbing fees for the Lighthouse will be $7 per adult, and $3.50 for children under 12 and senior citizens.
The opening day of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will continue to be a “fee-free” day, as it has in the past, for local community members to climb the tower.
The lighthouse climbing fee is authorized through the Recreation Fee Enhancement Program, which allows 80 percent of the fee receipts to be used to enhance visitor services and repair facilities within the Outer Banks Group.
Climbing The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse – What to Know Before You Go
The climb is strenuous! The 248 iron spiral stairs to the top are equivalent to 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 lighthouse.
Climbing tickets are available on a first-come/first-served basis and can only be purchased in person at the site on 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 at 5:30 p.m. beginning the Friday of Memorial Day weekend 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 inches tall
• Children must be capable of climbing all steps on their own
• No person may be lifted or carried
• Children under the age of 12 years old must be escorted by an adult.
• 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 bare feet or heels over 1 1/2 inches high
• Umbrellas need to be left in your car
• Backpacks, tripods, coolers, beach bags, surfboards, fishing poles, etc. also need to be left in your car
• Frisbees, boomerangs and other throwing equipment are prohibited
The Visitor Center at the lighthouse is open every day in the summer, spring, and fall from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
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