Attractions at Nags Head Beach, North Carolina

Bodie Island Lighthouse

• The Body Island lighthouse is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Nags Head area. The lighthouse is a horizontally striped tower, located on the sound side of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in southern Nags Head. The original lighthouse was built in 1847, and has been rebuilt twice due to the Civil War, and beach erosion. The lighthouse is not open for the public to enter, but there is a visitor's center located nearby that provides the unique history and significance of the lighthouse. Make sure to bring your camera for some pictures.

  Bodie Island Lighthouse
  10005 S. Old Oregon Inlet Road, (N.C. Highway 12)
  Nags Head, NC 27959
  252-441-5711
  outerbanks.com/BodieIslandLighthouse

Jockey's Ridge State Park

• Another well known attraction in the Nags Head area is Jockey's Ridge State Park. Jockey's Ridge is a huge sand dune that is actually comprised of five smaller dunes. It is the tallest natural sand dune on the east coast of the United States, with hills often reaching 110 feet. In addition to the dunes, the park also offers a boardwalk for viewing the scenery and wildlife, a visitors center, an Outer Banks museum, gift shop, auditorium and a large picnic area. Camping is not allowed inside the park. Park hours are as follows:

  November -- February 8:00 am --- 6:00 pm
  March, October 8:00 am --- 8:00 pm
  April, May, September 8:00 am --- 8:00 pm
  June -- August 8:00 am --- 9:00 pm

  The ridge area closes 15 minutes before the park. The park is closed on Christmas Day.

  Jockey's Ridge State Park
  592 Carolista Drive and The Bypass, Mile Post 12
  Nags Head, NC 27959
  252-441-7132
  jockeysridgestatepark.com

USS Huron Shipwreck

• Built in 1875, the USS Huron was the last of the American ships built out or iron and fitted with sails. On November 24, 1877, the Huron was sailing from Virginia to Cuba, when it encountered a fierce storm and ran aground about two hundred yards off of the coast of Nags Head. 98 sailors died as a result, and in 1991, the wreckage was designated North Carolina's first Historic Shipwreck Preserve. The wreckage site has become a favorite diving spot for scuba divers and snorkelers. As the wreckage is protected by federal law, no diver make take any part of the ship as a souvenir, but taking underwater photos is encouraged.

  USS Huron Shipwreck
  Bladen Street Beach Access
  The Beach Road, Mile Post 11.5
  Nags Head, NC 27959
  910-458-9042
  archaeology.ncdcr.gov/ncarch/underwater/huron.htm