The Bodie Island Lighthouse stands stalwart, protecting sailors from dangerous rocks on North Carolina’s Outer Banks coast. Picnic on the lighthouse grounds, wander the nature walkways and climb the lighthouse for its remarkable views.
Built in 1872, the lighthouse stands 156 feet (48 meters) tall. The grand black-and-white horizontally striped lighthouse underwent significant restorations, making it possible for the public to climb. Take a self-guided tour of the Bodie Island Lighthouse, climbing the 200 steps of the narrow spiral staircase at your own pace. Climbing requires some energy, but the views are well worth it. Admire the stunning surroundings of the Outer Banks and the Atlantic Ocean when you reach the top.
Experience the beautiful night sky, as the Bodie Island Lighthouse offers special climbs on certain nights when views are exquisite under a full moon. Check the schedule for dates for the full moon climb and purchase tickets from the Bodie Island Visitor Center during the day of the climb. Learn the history of the lighthouse here, including information on retreating Confederate soldiers who destroyed the initial structure fearing it would become a Union Army observation post during the Civil War.
Wander along the nature trails around the perimeter of the grounds to a point overlooking the water. Over 400 species of birds migrate between the north and the south via Bodie Island. Watch the birds from one of the many wooden stands set out in the marsh areas and built with bird watchers in mind. Expect to see a variety of both shore and migratory birds including snowy white ibises, great blue herons, Canadian geese and even majestic white swans.
Reach the site in less than a 2-hour drive from Norfolk, Virginia. Climb the lighthouse from the third Friday in April to Columbus Day in early October. Check height and safety limitations on the official Bodie Island Lighthouse National Park Service website.
After descending the Bodie Island Lighthouse, picnic on the lighthouse grounds and admire the region’s serene natural beauty. Travel north or south to enjoy more of the quiet sandy shoreline of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.