Our national parks protect much of what we love most about being here. The diverse stories our parks preserve have shaped our local community, nation and world. From the Carolina Algonquian peoples, to the first English settlers, to the Freedmen’s Colony, to the first African American lifesaving service, to the Wright brothers’ first heavier-than-air, controlled, powered flight and beyond – our Outer Banks national parks strive to make these stories accessible and engaging for all visitors.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore – Est. 1953
Known for its stunning and ever-changing shoreline, America’s first national seashore welcomes millions of visitors annually. Many visitors return year after year to the pristine beauty of these barrier islands to create a lifetime of memories. Here, along the 70-mile expanse of beach, marshes, sand dunes and woodlands, visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, swimming, fishing, photography, boating, surfing, kite flying, lighthouse climbing and more.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Accessibility Info
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site – Est. 1941
The mystery of the disappearance of the first attempted English settlement in the “New World” remains unsolved. Visitors to the park can observe the reconstructed earthen fort, learn more about Roanoke Island’s first inhabitants, the Carolina Algonquian peoples, and see the First Light of Freedom Monument, which honors the freedom seekers who found refuge on Roanoke Island during and after the Civil War, creating the Freedmen’s Colony.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Accessibility Info
Wright Brothers National Memorial – Est. 1927
The first national memorial developed on the Outer Banks celebrates the ingenuity, determination and courage of Orville and Wilbur Wright, two brothers from Dayton, Ohio. The brothers’ keen imaginations, combined with their practical experience in their bicycle shop in their home state, helped them to complete the first successful heavier-than-air, controlled, powered flight over the sands of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Dec.17, 1903. Visitors to the national memorial can explore reproductions of the 1903 camp buildings, examine a replica of the 1903 flyer and enjoy the newly remodeled visitor center.
Wright Brothers National Memorial Accessibility Info
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Accessibility
Kayak Launch at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
In August 2021, the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center Kayak Launch – the first maintained, mobility-friendly kayak launch at Cape Hatteras National Seashore – was opened to the public. Improvements to the kayak launch area include a new loading and unloading zone, mobility access mat, additional accessible and kayak trailer parking spaces, regular cleanup of rubble and debris and educational signage. Here are some tips from the National Park Service for kayaking safely:
- Do not kayak in inclement weather.
- Research local hazards and weather and avoid collisions.
- Pamlico Sound is an enjoyable place for kayaking, but high winds, currents and waves can turn a fun visit into a frightening one. Always be aware of changing tides and sound conditions.
- Kayaking in the area requires planning and attentiveness. Pamlico Sound and Oregon Inlet serve as a vital artery for fishing boats. Be mindful of vessels and constantly monitor their wakes. Note: Fishing boats usually return for the day between 4 and 5 p.m.
- Bring essential safety gear such as personal floatation devices, whistles and communication devices.
- Dress appropriately for water immersion and be aware of the danger of hypothermia.
- Share your plans with a family member or friend.
- Plan a trip within your capabilities – distances and depths can be deceiving.
Online Lighthouse Experiences
Did you know that you can experience two of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore lighthouses from anywhere in the world? Check out the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse webcam for a live-feed view from the top! You can also take a virtual tour of the lighthouse or watch or listen to Ranger Alisa as she gives a guided tour. To explore the Bodie Island Lighthouse, watch or listen to this CurrentTV video with Ranger Mark as he climbs the stairs of this 150-year-old sentinel.
Facilities
Bathhouses: The bathhouses at the Coquina Beach, Frisco and Ocracoke Beach Accesses and at the Salvo and Haulover Sound Accesses have ramps and accessible bathrooms.
Beach Accesses: Several beach access ramps along the Seashore have boardwalks to assist in reaching the beach. Please stop by a visitor center for further information on which boardwalks are accessible. The use of special-permitted ORVs (Off Road Vehicles) to transport mobility-impaired individuals to a predetermined location in a beach area in front of a village that is not otherwise open to ORV (Off Road Vehicle) use is allowed. Contact the park for more information about this mobility-impaired transport permit.
Beach Wheelchairs: At the Cape Hatteras Light Station, one beach wheelchair is available for loan. Stop by the visitor center to borrow it (the phone number and address of person borrowing it required). There are beach wheelchairs available at Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands that can be checked out daily for free. Visitors can inquire about these at any of the Seashore visitor centers.
Hunting Blinds: A wildlife-viewing platform (Bodie Island Marsh Blind) is available for all visitors to use. The Bodie Island Marsh Blind remains open through the middle of November (with a few exceptions in October). From December through March, the wildlife-viewing platform serves as an accessible hunt blind for hunters with limited mobility. The blind provides an opportunity to experience the calm marshes of the Outer Banks and observe the unique plants and animals that call the ecosystem home. Hunters with limited mobility must email their reservation requests to capehatterashunt@nps.gov.
Parking: Accessible parking is provided at all visitor center and swimming beach locations.
Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are available at all three visitor center locations, and there are many accessible outhouses located throughout the Seashore, like at the Buxton Woods picnic area and swimming beaches.
Service Animals: Service dogs are welcome within all park facilities where visitors are allowed. All service dogs must stay within the control of their owner. A service dog means any dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.
Trails: The pond trail at Bodie Island Lighthouse is a boardwalk trail that leads to a viewing platform looking out over the marsh and ponds near the lighthouse. The viewing platform is accessible via a ramp at the end of the boardwalk.
Educational Resources
App and Audio Tour: The National Park Service mobile app, available for free download in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, gives the public up-to-date information about all 423 national parks in one easy-to-use app. Visitors to the Outer Banks are encouraged to download the app ahead of their trips. Included in the app is an audio tour for the Seashore. This audio tour describes the major highlights of each area of the park and is a great way to learn about its rich history and natural resources.
Braille Brochures: There are Braille versions of the park brochure available for loan at the information desks in all the Seashore’s visitor centers or they can be downloaded from the park website.
Photo Book: There is a photo book of the Bodie Island Lighthouse available for viewing for those visiting the lighthouse in person.
Tactile Map: The Bodie Island Lighthouse has a tactile map of the light station and grounds. The tactile map allows visitors with low vision and/or total blindness to access information which improves spatial awareness, enabling them to engage with the Bodie Island Lighthouse and surrounding grounds more independently.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Accessibility
Facilities
Parking: Accessible parking spaces are available near the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site visitor center.
Trails: The Freedom Trail is a 1.25-mile, pine-needle covered dirt trail through maritime forest that ends with views of the Croatan Sound on the western edge of the park. The trail ends near the location where the Freedmen's Colony and Civil War forts once stood. Visitors can return by the trail or use the bike path along Highway 64 for a loop back to the visitor center of 2.5-miles. The Thomas Hariot Trail is a 0.3-mile dirt trail with moderate slopes and extensive tree roots that loops through the island's maritime forest to the sandy shores of Albemarle Sound. Educational signs describe the Carolina Algonquian peoples’ methods for gathering food and resources the English found valuable on Roanoke Island. The paved path from the visitor center to the reconstructed earthen fort and Waterside Theater is accessible.
Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are available at the visitor center.
Service Animals: Service dogs are welcome within all park facilities where visitors are allowed. All service dogs must stay within the control of their owner. A service dog means any dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.
Visitor Center: The park’s visitor center is accessible to all visitors.
Waterside Theatre: The Waterside Theatre has accessible seating.
Wheelchairs: A wheelchair is available at the park’s visitor center during operational hours.
Educational Resources
App and Audio Tour: The National Park Service mobile app, available for free download in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, gives the public up-to-date information about all 423 national parks in one easy-to-use app. Visitors to the Outer Banks are encouraged to download the app ahead of their trips. Included in the app is an audio tour for Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. This audio tour describes the major highlights of the park and is a great way to learn about its rich history and cultural resources. Additionally, assisted listening and audio description devices are available in the visitor center that allow visitors to experience the exhibit spaces. The devices are available to borrow at the visitor center desk.
Braille Brochures: To borrow a Braille version of the park brochure, please ask a park ranger or volunteer at the front desk for a copy or download it from the park’s website.
Educational Films: A closed-captioned version of the film, “Roanoke: The Lost Colony,” is available on a portable tablet. The tablet can be borrowed at the visitor center desk.
Ranger Programs: All ranger-conducted activities are accessible.
Wright Brothers National Memorial Accessibility
Educational Resources
App and Audio Tour: The National Park Service mobile app, available for free download in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, gives the public up-to-date information about all 423 national parks in one easy-to-use app. Visitors to the Outer Banks are encouraged to download the app ahead of their trips. Included in the app is a new audio tour for Wright Brothers National Memorial. This audio tour describes all the exhibits in the park and is a great way to learn about its history.
Additionally, assisted listening and audio description devices are available in the visitor center that allow visitors to experience the exhibit spaces. The devices are available to borrow at the visitor center desk. In fact, Wright Brothers National Memorial was awarded the Achievement in Audio Description award in the Visual Art/Museums/Visitor Centers/Organization category by the American Council of the Blind for its audio description programs!
Braille Resources: When you first enter the visitor center, there is a tactile map of the park with locations written in Braille. A limited supply of Braille brochures is available at the visitor center desk and they are also available for download from the park’s website.
Tactile Map and Exhibits: A flat, tactile map of the building's layout is placed on the wall to the left of the main entrance door. Inside the Flight Room of the visitor center are raised drawings of the Wright brothers' early gliders and a tactile model, built to scale, of the 1903 Wright Flyer.
Facilities
Parking: Accessible parking spots are available near the visitor center.
Paths: There is an accessible concrete path leading from the visitor center to the First Flight Boulder and the base of Kill Devil Hill. The path to the top of Kill Devil Hill is paved, but the grade becomes very steep toward the top of the hill.
Restrooms: Accessible bathrooms are available.
Service Animals: Service dogs are welcome within all park facilities where visitors are allowed. All service dogs must stay within the control of their owner. A service dog means any dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.
Visitor Center: An accessible ramp to the front entrance of the visitor center is located at the front of the building.
Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs are available on a first come, first served basis from the visitor center's front desk.
