Bodie Island Lighthouse

Bodie Island Lighthouse (pronounced “body”), is truly one of those places that captures everything special about the Outer Banks and is a must-visit for anyone coming to OBX. The lighthouse itself is open for climbing during the summer months, and the climb is well worth it for the incredible views from the top. Even outside of the climbing season, the grounds are open year-round and offer plenty to enjoy. The surrounding area features peaceful walking trails, open spaces, and a beautifully scenic landscape that feels calm and unspoiled. It’s an ideal spot for family photos, couples, or anyone looking for a picturesque backdrop. We love visiting to walk around, take photos, and simply enjoy the views. When the visitor center is open, it’s also a great opportunity to learn about the history of the lighthouse and the area, which really enhances the experience. We’ve visited on weekdays, weekends, and even on holidays, and it rarely feels overcrowded. Outside of major holidays, it’s usually easy to explore at your own pace without feeling rushed. The open space makes it feel relaxing even when other visitors are around. One of our favorite times to visit is in the evening. The night sky here is absolutely stunning—the stars are unmatched and make for an unforgettable experience. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and a great way to end a day in the Outer Banks. Whether you’re interested in history, photography, nature walks, or just taking in the scenery, Bodie Island Lighthouse offers something for everyone. We continue to return every time we visit OBX, and it’s always one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommended and truly a classic Outer Banks destination! 🌅✨

Glad we took the time to check this place out. I wish they stated the light is closed to the top. Very scenic place to explore. Board walk in very good shape and has been recently been repaired with plenty of new boards. Bathroom was clean and tidy. Parking lots is spacious even for a full size pick up truck. Says open 24 hours. They should post times for the light house and facilities separately.

Such a beautiful lighthouse. I really treasure being able to get so close to it and walk the grounds even in off season when they’re closed. The restroom was open and clean the day after christmas. Short walk to the overlook on a well kept boardwalk. Lots of birds and other wildlife. Suitable for all and really spectacular views.

A very nice little lighthouse. It was very peaceful. Unfortunately you had to buy tickets in advance to climb to the top. It looks like you previously were able to walk in on the first floor however now you can't due to some people going up to the top without tickets. We checked out the marsh boardwalk which was cool!! The views are very pretty. Some people lost hats over the side lol.

Came here and stayed due to construction at Hatteras. Note that places are currently closed due to fire so we just enjoyed walking around the lighthouse, the boardwalk, and a nearby trail. Did the trail specifically to wait for the lighthouse to come on at dusk. Beautiful setting that is often overshadowed by more famous lighthouses or those closer to the beach.

This is a great place to visit with kids! My children learned about this lighthouse in 4th grade, so of course we had to come see it while we were in the area! It has such a neat history. They open ticket sales for each day at 7am on the recreation.gov website, so I made sure to get mine right after they went live. It seems though that they might have tickets still left in the afternoon in the slower months. The marsh area was also great to check out and we saw a Great Egret fishing for food!

Stopped with the girls to check out Bodie lighthouse on a recent girls trip. Was shocked by how beautiful and picturesque the actual lighthouse and the grounds were. We didn't get a chance to the top of the lighthouse as you need to purchase tickets in advance, but that is an option if you plan accordingly. The employees on grounds were extremely informative, friendly, and knowledgeable. We were on our way out but one of the rangers was just about to give a presentation on the lighthouse and its history. Definitely a cool little sightseeing spot for visitors and locals alike.

Really nice light house that is beautifully maintained. We got there and realized that you need to get the passes on the internet prior to arriving because there is a wait. They only send up small groups every ten minutes or so. The grounds and area around the lighthouse is beautiful. Also beware of the weather conditions because they might not allow you up or outside at the top.

After visiting the Hatteras Lighthouse and finding it all wrapped up in scaffolding, I was super excited to get here to Bodie Island to find this one ready to photograph and visit. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is a striking black-and-white banded tower that has stood sentinel over the Outer Banks since 1872. This lighthouse is the third built in the area--the first, constructed in 1847, was abandoned due to a poor foundation, and the second, built in 1859, was destroyed during the Civil War by retreating Confederate troops. The current structure rises 156 feet and houses an original first-order Fresnel lens, casting light visible for up to 19 nautical miles. It was automated in 1940 and later transferred to the National Park Service in 1953. After extensive restoration, it opened to the public for climbing in 2013. Visitors can ascend its 219 steps for panoramic views of the surrounding marshes and Roanoke Sound. The lighthouse is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and remains one of the few tall brick lighthouses in the U.S. still equipped with its original lens. It was way too hot today to try climbing anything let alone that. I took my pictures and was more than satisfied. [Round number review 800 of 2025 - 4232 in North Carolina - 24360 overall]

Okay, I loved seeing the Bodie Lighthouse from the ground but my friends wanted to climb all the way to the top. I was like, where's the elevator? Haha! It was a challenging climb for this Netflix binge watcher! It was easy to maneuver and the staff were so helpful and encouraging. The facilities were super clean, well maintained, and great signage with historical facts were plentiful. Very enjoyable. The views from the top of the lighthouse are breathtakingly beautiful. Very Cool that it is still in use too.

First time coming to lighthouse and both Rachel and Emma made it worth while! Very knowledgeable about the light house. It felt so good knowing that I was stepping back into history. Wasn't able to climb the stairs but that is now a goal of mine!! Didn't have a chance to visit the rest room but plenty of parking and definitely work a visit!

This lighthouse is beautiful at any time of the year. The visitors center is currently closed due to fire. No visit to the outer banks is complete without a stop here.

Visually appealing from the outside, but if there is lightening within a 10 mile radius, your ticket will be automatically cancelled and refunded. This is not clearly stated on the ticket site. The employees will not make an effort to walk over to your waiting car (even if there's only 2 cars in the parking lot) to let you know this and you will need to walk up to them to find out.

One of my favorite lighthouses in the OBX! I did not climb up but there was plenty to appreciate for free. If you do choose to climb, I believe tickets are released for reservation on the morning you wish to visit. Bodie's visitor center is full of information on the wildlife in the area and some background on the lighthouse. There is also a beautiful short boardwalk which is another great spot to view the lighthouse and overlooks to some gorgeous marsh. The lighthouse itself and the grounds are accessible 24/7, so we came here around sunset as well as the daytime when the visitor's center was open. Park rangers routinely also have additional sessions explaining more about the flora and fauna. I did not join for that program but it was great to know they offer such sessions.

Free if you don't want to walk to the top. Otherwise, it doesn't cost much. A boardwalk to walk out on. Park rangers were present to educate visitors about the lighthouse and its surroundings.

We really enjoyed this! Beautiful scenery all around and in the lighthouse. We did get canceled due to lightening twice but they refunded quickly. Great view!

I'm a huge lighthouse lover so this was a great visit for me! The guide at the base of the lighthouse was so informative and she instructed us on the perfect spot to stand to get some cool pics! Don't forget to stop in the gift shop to stamp your lighthouse passport!

Can not recommend this lighthouse enough. This an extremely easy lighthouse to access as a quick pit stop. Although the lighthouse isn't open late to climb up I think the best time to visit is at dust. The lighthouse light will already be turning on and you are still able to get good pictures with the light house if you want.

Wasn't able to go inside when we visited - there was a storm coming and they shut it down, was able to walk around and see the outside stuff, was neat to see

Beautiful. I love lighthouses and this is one I've wanted to visit for a while. It's easy to find and free to access at any time of day or night. A lot of photographers come here to have classes and work in their exposure and night skills to capture the beautiful night skies and Milky Way. We weren't able to go inside but we enjoyed walking around at sunset and enjoying the nature trail boardwalk to the viewpoint behind the lighthouse. I highly recommend you do this so you can see different vantage points and a long view of the lighthouse. Very pretty. Sunset is gorgeous here!

A great place at Nag's head to check out a lighthouse. Very serene place. When we visited in November, it was closed to climb on it. # - The place is great for pictures and close by is the office with great courteous and helpful staff telling us in detail about the lighthouse. # - I was especially intrigued by the story behind the origin of the name Bodie (pronounced body) One theory says it was named after the owners and the other more popular one is based on the number of bodies that washed up to the shore here. # - It is open 24/7 except for a few days which I forgot when it is closed. It has a total of 219 steps and you can get the ticket for $10 on this site https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143 It is towards the south of Nags head but a must-visit for serenity and some great clicks :)

Pretty lighthouse to stop and see. It was not open to go in when we stopped. Too cold to explore so we snapped a couple of photos and left.

Always a must see! It's cool to see how tall the lighthouses are in person! The grounds are fun to walk around and explore! Definitely check out!

We had no intentions of visiting the Outer Banks or the Bodie Island Lighthouse. This is one of 5 lighthouses in the area. Each lighthouse is colored differently so that sailors would know where they were by seeing the lighthouse. Bodie's color is black and white. The National Park Service operates this park and lighthouse. You can climb the lighthouse by making a reservation and paying a fee. A visitor center and gift shop is located in the building by the lighthouse. Park rangers are friendly and tell quite the story about the area and the lighthouse. It is a great place to visit when in the Outer Banks.

This was a very cool experience viewing Bodie Island Lighthouse. A beautiful lighthouse not far from the water with a scenic view of the landscape. My friend and I drove in late to catch a thunderstorm and watch lightning off at the distance. We came back in the morning to catch the sunrise and see the lighthouse first thing. Very cool experience and time.

We booked two tickets ahead of time online for 10:40 am. We showed up 40 mins early and waited for our time slot. At 10:35 am the employee told us they were cancelling our tour because there was lightning within 10 miles. The employee stated that we would receive a full refund. They only gave us a partial refund and stated there was a cancellation fee. After multiple phone calls, online chats, and emails, they never fully refunded me.

Stopped here with our German Shepherd to check out the beautiful lighthouse and picked up her BARK Ranger certificate for the seashore! The ladies inside were so kind!

We visited in the off season, so unable to climb the lighthouse (I believe it may be undergoing restoration in 2023, so it may not be accessible at all--check website). The house offers a small museum and gift shop. There are bathroom facilities in separate building on site. Keep an eye out for wildlife (we saw nutrias grazing/playing along walkway on our visit!). If you plan on venturing out to overlook of waterway/marsh, binoculars are a must! There are a variety of birds to identify and enjoy!

After being disappointed that my lighthouse tour stopped at Bodie Island Lighthouse at 9pm, I knew I had to make my way back and see it in the daylight. I am so glad I was able to make the trip to see this lighthouse. If you want to climb you must get tickets ahead of time. Otherwise you can just go on your own time to see the lighthouse; walk the boardwalk and visit the gift shop. The brick lighthouse was built in 1872 and is 156 feet tall. It is 214 steps to climb to the top. It is the third lighthouse in the area as the first had a bad foundation and the second was destroyed by confederate troops. Besides the impressive lighthouse you can walk the boardwalk for more views of the water and lighthouse. It isn't a long boardwalk but well worth the walk. The gift shop was full of items if you care to browse or shop. This is one of the nicer lighthouses to visit.

Definitely a beautiful lighthouse. Wish I would have known sooner to buy tickets online. You couldn't buy them at the location once you got there. They did a little tour 2x a day and we missed that also. A beautiful drive to get there.

Bottom Line: Nearing 150 years old this lighthouse located in Nags Head is the best lighthouse on the Outer Banks. Next year the Bodie Island Lighthouse will turn 150 years old but for me this historic sentinel never gets old. The Bodie Island Lighthouse has faithfully been on the horizon of my summer vacations in Nags Head for decades but for a long time it was shrouded in mystery. For too long the historical structure was in disrepair and literally falling apart. After extensive restoration efforts the lighthouse was opened to the public for climbing in 2013 and I've been able to climb it a few times since. The climb of this beautiful structure is always fun and the incredible 360 views at the top delight me every time as if I am seeing them for the first time. In 2020 the lighthouse was closed for climbing due to the pandemic so my husband and I kayaked around the lighthouse instead. More on that later. In 2021 with the lighthouse reopened for climbing we jumped at the opportunity. As of August 2021 you can logon to recreation.gov starting at 7am to get same day tickets to climb the lighthouse. Climbing starts at 9am and only 8 people are allowed to climb per 30 minute slot. I recommend reviewing the rules for climbing (height restrictions, footwear restrictions, age restrictions, etc.) before arriving at Bodie Island so your party is prepared and no one is disappointed. As the park ranger will explain, only one person is allowed on each flight of stairs so climbing the lighthouse takes some communication and coordination with others in the group. We had about 20 minutes at the top before the park ranger asked us to start making our way down. This was a good amount of time to get pictures, enjoy the views, take pictures, etc. For non-climbers, there is nice boardwalk to a pavilion over the marsh. I'm pretty sure it's ADA friendly and it's a great place to view the lighthouse, crabs, fish, waterfowl and migratory birds. On my most recent visit I saw Stilts which are somewhat rare for this area and plenty of Ibis. All guests may also enjoy the bookstore and gift shop. Other amenities include a nice bathroom, a water bottle filling station, a water fountain for dogs and a bike rack. Back to the kayaking, there is a kayak launch on the property but it's about 1/3 mile from the parking to the actual launch so be prepared to haul your kayak. Kayaking around the lighthouse is really cool but given the long walk I only recommend this for those that can manage their own kayak, paddle, life vest and stuff for the entirety of the walk to the launch and back to the car. I know on the walk back I was wishing that I had a little wheeled trailer or cart for my kayak so if you have one of those I definitely recommend it! Paddling around the lighthouse was neat because there are a lot of cuts and areas to explore. We were hoping to kayak to the back side of the lighthouse near the pavilion but the tide wasn't quite high enough for us to comfortably navigate the cut and a storm was moving in our direction. Bodie Island Lighthouse is located on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and as such it is run by the National Park Service. On every visit every park ranger and volunteer we encountered was friendly, engaging, knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

This was my favorite lighthouse in the Outer Banks! We went during the off season, so we couldn't climb to the top, but the grounds are gorgeous. The up close view of the lighthouse is good, but make sure to walk on the trail that goes behind it into the marshy area. The views from the boardwalk with the marsh and the lighthouse in the background are really pretty. It's a short path, so it won't take much time either. I definitely recommend stopping here on your Outer Banks visit.

Tickets to climb the lighthouse go on sale the day of at 7am. While in the Outer Banks, I was up every morning early to watch the sunrise, so it was an easy task to get the tickets right at 7am. We went with the second tour of the day, which gave us time to eat breakfast and get ready for the day. Bodie (pronounced Body) Lighthouse was near Rodanthe, where we were staying, so it was a quick drive, which was nice. The gift shop was great. They also had some ranger programs going on, which was nice to see. When we were ready to start the tour, the tour guide asked who would like to go first. I volunteered because I wanted to get up there quick, as I am afraid of heights and didn't want any obstructions in the way of me climbing down when I wanted to leave. I was the first person to leave. The deal is, only one person can climb the stairs at a time. When you reach the next landing, you say your word you chose, and the next person goes up the stairs. You can spend as much time as you want on the landing, but only one person on the stairs to keep the tour moving. When I arrived up on the platform circulating the lighthouse, the ranger was friendly and the view was breathtaking. You can see the sound and the ocean. It was a remarkable site and I savored it for as long as I could and then had to peace out because again, I don't like heights. There are trails on premises, but we didn't get to them. We were going to go on a different day, but ended up not returning.

One of my favorite things while living in NC was driving up and down the coast and finding the lighthouses. There are still 2 more I have to see, but I've seen a lot of them! Each one is unique! This one is great because you get the view of the marshlands and some great views of the lighthouse from the boardwalk. You can walk to the top for a small fee.

A trip to Nagshead isn't complete without a visit to Bodie Island Lighthouse! Named for a family that once owned the land, the Bodie Lighthouse is a historical landmark, built in the early 1800's and has been renovated several times since its erection. Although there are several more "popular" lighthouses on the Outer Banks, I am drawn to this black and white banded lighthouse made of brick and cast iron. We came at sunrise to absorb this majestic lighthouse against the spectacular view of the horizon with the sun awakening to greet the shore! It was gorgeous! There's a gift shop and museum where one can purchase souvenirs of their trip to this beautiful lighthouse, and where you will find details of its history. Several books are available as well, depicting this structure's many transformations and will be a treat for any lighthouse fan! This silent protector of the shores stands tall and statuesque against the marshy wetlands of the Outer Banks and is definitely worth a gander! Tourists can climb to the top for even more breathtaking views for a pittance, but due to Covid, the lighthouse is temporarily closed.

Beautiful landscape! Overall we had a wonderful experience here! Reserve your tickets online to climb the lighthouse! It's worth the climb!

Picture perfect lighthouse with loads of history! Really nice gift shop, bathrooms and plenty of free parking. You can usually climb the lighthouse for some great views, but check first, as the actual lighthouse may be closed during the Outer Banks "off season."

The lighthouse was a great stop. You will need to buy tickets early to be able to walk to the top though. We thought it would be a less popular spot to go but the history is pretty cool and definitely worth learning about. The staff and ranger were very kind and it has a nice gift shop and don't forget your national park passport so you can get it stamped.

Easy, quick, pet-friendly stop in Nags Head. Viewing the lighthouse in person is a worthwhile trip when visiting the Outerbanks. The lighthouse is a little drive down the appropriately named Bodie Island Lighthouse Rd. We arrived around 4:45 pm, the lighthouse closes at 5 pm. Since it was later in the day the parking lot was fairly empty. We parked near the restrooms and took pictures by the lighthouse. There are no trash cans by the parking lot, but there are some in the bathroom if you have garbage or need to clean up after your pet. We did not go inside the lighthouse, but you can climb it during summer months. The climb is self-guided. Tickets are required to climb and dogs are not allowed inside. They have a variety of other rules and guidelines so check out nps.gov and recreation.gov before visiting. My dogs were exhausted from swimming at the beach all day. We stopped for a quick pee break and picture then we were on our way.

Beautiful lighthouse! The only issue is that you need a ticket to go up the stairs and they start sales at 7am and sell out fairly quickly so I didn't get to go to the top.

Very picturesque lighthouse! We visited during COVID-19 times so we opted to just visit the outside areas. While you can't go up in the lighthouse right now, there were some other indoor areas open. The boardwalk trail near the lighthouse was quite busy so we also opted not to walk on it. There were quite a few visitors wearing masks, but also a handful without. I did feel that we could easily keep our distance during our quick visit. Bring some bug spray if you visit. We were in the field next to the lighthouse taking some photos and there were a lot of mosquitos!

While visiting from Indiana, we decided to take my 2 young boys to see the light house. The park and surrounding area was beautiful. We arrived before the sunset and took a nice walk around the property. Everyone had a great time and the views were awesome. Great view from the pier.

[Coronavirus review] The lighthouse is closed for the foreseeable future due to corona, but you can stop by the grounds. You'll get an air-conditioned (!) restroom and a boardwalk out into the wetlands. The view was nice but the boardwalk crowded when I stopped by. The amenities are a good reason to stop; there's no beach here, but it's on the way.

Beautiful scenery! The lighthouse was so fun to visit. There's a nice walkway to get better views of the lighthouse as well. You can walk up it, we didn't because we have a two year old who won't make it lol. There is also a gift shop And information shop as well. It's right in front of the lighthouse. Parking is free and it was easy to get to. There are restrooms on site as well

An adorable lighthouse. This is a great lighthouse to visit while you are in Nags Head. It is a beautiful lighthouse and I highly recommend visiting closer to sunset so you can see the colors change around the lighthouse. There is plenty of parking and paved walkways so that you can get closer to the lighthouse no matter your mobility. There is also a raised walkway made of wood that leads out to the water so you can appreciate the nature that surrounds the lighthouse. I would say it is fairly wheelchair friendly, although I don't know how easy it would be to go up the ramp at the end of the wooden walkway that leads to a space where it would be easier to turn around. There are restrooms on site. I would definitely recommend this lighthouse to anyone who likes nature or historical landmarks!

My wife and I loved this lighthouse! The boardwalk here was beautiful and every view of the lighthouse was beautiful too! Just keep an eye out for snakes!

Fun activity, area nice and clean with plenty of parking. You can take a walking tour of this light house if you choose. A small gift shop on premises.

Loved the spot! Very quiet and therapeutic! Parking is everywhere, you can climb the tower if you call in advance!

Book your climb ahead of time! Have to reserve your climb on their website before you show up or it may be full and the service to try and book while you are there is hit or miss. Definitely worth the climb though! So pretty and how often do you get to climb to the top of a lighthouse?!

The Bodie Island Lighthouse is very impressive. It is worth a stop if you are visiting the Outer Banks. The only suck part was we went during the 2019 federal government shutdown. Thanks to the shutdown there were no park rangers, and the buildings were closed. You could still roam the grounds. Even during the off season this place is very popular. Lots of cars pulling in and out. Very popular spot for photographers. Lots of pictures online of people pretending to be holding up the lighthouse. I wanted to do something similar but I would lay down and spread my legs, with the lighthouse in between. Mrs Tim wasn't having it and refused to take the photo. Buzz kill. The boardwalk trail leading into the marsh is also cool. It is very popular with the local bird population as well. Lots of bird shit everywhere. One section was covered with so much bird crap it looked whitewashed. In summary, very nice place to visit. Great lighthouse. Worth a stop. Recommend.

Bodie Island Lighthouse is way inland from the beach. I wonder this lighthouse has been move from it original location. It is simple lighthouse with stair case to the top. There is a gift shop before entering the lighthouse area. The lighthouse pillar is paint black and white horizontal stripes. It is to different the look of four other lighthouse in the Outer Bank. The lighthouse is about 10 stories height. It is about 200 step to get to the top. If you like to climb it, please make sure you are 260 pounds or less. It tiny staircase with one person at a time. When we visited the place, it was 4:30 and only 30 minutes to get up and down. We decided not to do it. The also indicate no heel shoes allow to climb. It great to see from far side with the lighthouse.

While the lighthouse was closed due to COVID-19 and we couldn't climb it, we did enjoy the views of the lighthouse and the marsh along the boardwalk and the kind park ranger who told us a bit of history and souvenir shop.

She's beautiful! Came here annually as a kid on vacation. So cool to learn the history.

Nice little park spot on the Hatteras National Seashore. Bodie's Island Lighthouse is one of the classic OBX lighthouses. There is a museum, but it's currently closed due to Covid. There is a nice boardwalk that takes you out to the marshes and a nice spot to watch for wildlife. I hope to visit again when the museum is open. (Restrooms are open!)

Stopped by the lighthouse, but could not get inside due to Covid restrictions. That was ok, because I haven't visited a lighthouse since I was about 9 years old! They are still something to see and this particular light house had a pier behind it and that was worth the 5 minute walk out to see the marsh. If you are in the area, it can be a pleasant stop during your trip to enjoy the scenery. We googled the history of this lighthouse in the parking lot and enjoyed reading about its construction in the 1800s and how it was blown up during the Civil War and rebuilt later on. Note- stay on the wooden pier walkway and don't walk on the grass because there was 'snakes sign' that snakes are in that area. yikes!

It is a really beautiful landmark to visit. The grounds are meticulously kept, the rangers were all nice and knowledgeable, and the views are wonderful. We have several in our group that are unable to climb stairs, so we only observed it from the ground and from the marsh path. All ages (2-65) enjoyed it, in spite of how hot it was out. Because it is a National Sea Shore, we were able to get our national parks passport stamped in the little gift shop.

A must stop and see if you are visiting the OBX. Due to COVID restrictions the interior is closed. You are able to walk around and enjoy the grounds. In the back area there is a nice sitting area.