Cape Lookout National Seashore, NC

Travel Guide

On the sound side beach by Cape a Lookout Lighthouse - highly recommend taking the ferry out.
On the sound side of the island by Cape Lookout Lighthouse.
"Beauty and Beast" Image of wild horses captured at Shackleford Banks in North Carolina during an overnight camping trip at nearby Cape Lookout Island. To get to this island, you have to take a ferry from Harkers Island (or take your own boat to the island if you have/rent one). The ferry is pretty reasonable and in the summer, they operate relatively long hours. I'd advise going early before the sun is too high and on days that the humidity is low, as there is no shade on the island whatsoever. Carry plenty of water with you in any case, as the island is very long and you might have to walk a fair distance before you come across the wild horses. Other than the horses, there's really nothing else on this island. There is wild camping permitted on the island, so you could make it an overnight trip and have the ferry pick you up the following day. If so, carry food and anything else you might need as there are no facilities on the island. Also carry bug spray as the no see ums will be out in murderous numbers at sundown. The Harkers Ferry also offers options to combine a trip to Cape Lookout and to Shackleford Banks, so you could cover two locations in one trip. I've heard this place can have magical sunsets/sunrises. On this trip, didn't have much luck with either. But was lucky to stumble across these horses just chilling in the mid morning sun. If you do visit the island, please exercise caution as these horses are wild. They are used to seeing humans around but getting close to them or feeding them is not advisable. This image was taken with a telephoto lens from quite some distance away. Also watch out for cacti - they are around and you run into em when you least expect em. Thank you for stopping by. #NC #USA #Horses #WildHorses #ShacklefordBanks #colorful #blue #camp #weekend #bestof5 #hiking
View from the lantern room at the top of Cape Lookout Lighthouse that was constructed in 1859 two years prior to the Civil War . The light was taken out of service during the war.
We had a double rainbow at Cape Lookout last night at sunset!!!
Crystal Coast Oceanfront Hotel

Crystal Coast Oceanfront Hotel

3 out of 5
511 Salter Path Rd Atlantic Beach NC
The price is ₩227,159 per night from Apr 17 to Apr 18
₩227,159
₩256,121 total
Apr 17 - Apr 18
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,543 reviews)
Love sitting on balcony looking at the ocean 😍 walking right out yo the beach.

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2026

Crystal Coast Oceanfront Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront

4 out of 5
2717 W Fort Macon Rd Atlantic Beach NC
The price is ₩158,826 per night from Mar 23 to Mar 24
₩158,826
₩179,075 total
Mar 23 - Mar 24
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
Really enjoyed our stay. The ocean view from room 711 was wonderful. The food voucher covered 90% of the meal from menu. Place as clean, shower was warm, decent pressure, slept like a baby, ac/heat worked, and my only compliant is if you buy a food voucher, front desk said I couldn't split it between ...

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront
Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing

Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing

3.5 out of 5
814 Shepard Street Morehead City NC
The price is ₩170,106 per night from Mar 18 to Mar 19
₩170,106
₩191,794 total
Mar 18 - Mar 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Morehead City. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
The living room area was not clean as it still had food on the tables. I did clean those. The shower door would not close all the way, so water did get on the floor. The staff was outstanding and there was water view. The location is very good as restaurants are walking distance.

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2026

Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing
See all 2,570 properties in Cape Lookout National Seashore
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
A Place at the Beach

A Place at the Beach

2.5 out of 5
1904 E Fort Macon Rd Atlantic Beach NC
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Triple S Marina and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (293 reviews)
We had a 3rd floor room overlooking the courtyard and beach water view. Room was clean! Extra towels, bedding blankets already provided. Kitchen was stocked with kitchenware and everything worked. Pretty quite except for construction/roofing repair. Workers were cautious around guests. Had slight ...

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2026

A Place at the Beach
Atlantic Beach Resort

Atlantic Beach Resort

3 out of 5
715 W. Fort Macon Rd. Atlantic Beach NC
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,270 reviews)
The Hot Tub was broken - no plan to repair it - one of the main reasons we booked this in the winter season.

Reviewed on Jan 10, 2026

Atlantic Beach Resort
See all properties in Cape Lookout National Seashore
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cape Lookout Lighthouse on the Southern Outer Banks or Crystal Coast of North Carolina viewed from the water; Shutterstock ID 643650031; Purchase Order: -

Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Learn about the local history of Cape Lookout with a stop at Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Wander the beaches and seaside in this relaxing area.

Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Horse Island

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Horse Island during your travels in Portsmouth.

Horse Island