Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Went this past Sunday with my husband and a friend of ours because we’d never been before. Came early in the morning driving from Chesapeake and got there a little after they opened for the day and wasn’t as busy yet. Very beautiful historical lighthouse ❤️ The lady we met who we paid to enter the lighthouse was really friendly and knowledgeable. As a heads up, you do have to sign a waiver before you can climb up, it’s a safety thing considering how old the lighthouse is. Please be aware that on hot/humid days it can get REALLY hot inside on your way up (they can’t really open the windows for preservation reasons). Pace yourself, bring some water to sip on, and take breaks on the levels with fans. The views at the top are worth it!! You can see the Atlantic side and the sound. Plus the cool ocean breeze feels nice after the long climb up :) Be careful going down and wait on the landings to let others pass. All in all glad we stopped to check it out, need to go see the other lighthouses next trip!

Absolutely beautiful lighthouse! The climb up wasn’t bad for me or my 4 year old. Your child does have to be 4years and older to climb the lighthouse and you cannot carry your kid up or down. I believe it was $12 to climb the lighthouse. It was a fun and exciting experience! Highly recommend!!

Very cool lighthouse! The gift shop was huge, had some amazing charts, pictures, drawings, etc to look at... We paid to walk up and get the "up close and personal" touched .. they give a nice history of the grounds and the revival efforts that got things looking so good. The view from the top was just amazing... I walked around the outside, checking the view from all angles. The climb was not bad, with numerous stopping areas and windows to get another view from. Lots of history involved, but of course. Genuinely neat place to see...

As a history need I love visiting historic places and supporting the preservation. The lighthouse is beautiful and the grounds provide a thorough history and artifacts. The staff were very pleasant and knowledgeable. It is a long 200+ stair climb to the top. I took my 4yo and 6yo up. My 4yo was a bit scared and nervous to climb and go out at the top.

We walked 200’ straight up a spiral staircase of this lighthouse. What an absolute amazing experience. There are landings as you climb the lighthouse tower. So you can take your time walking up to the top. The view from the top of the lighthouse is breathtaking. 360 degrees view and You can lookout as far as the eye can see. This lighthouse was built in the 1800’s it cost $13.00 per person to tour the lighthouse. The homes on the property were residential homes for the workers and their families.

Stunning views. Beautifully restored. The climb was easy. Nice sturdy rails as well. The grounds were well-groomed and the gift shop was nice. Staff friendly. We purchased tickets right at the entrance of the lighthouse from a cashier.

You don’t have many available lighthouses where you can travel to the top and have a view like this. The stairs are well done and spacious. I believe it was 9 flights, seemed like more with the group of kids I brought. Only thing I’d say is it’s a bit pricey ($13) per person for the amount of time it takes to do. Both ladies are the front where very accommodating and informative as well telling us the history and explaining the process. Definitely a great spot to stop and experience in Corolla!

4/26/25 - Very nice lighthouse and area. I didn't climb the lighthouse but the lady said we could still go in but stop at the metal stairs. The gift shop is so cute and there are lots of fun things in there. There is beautiful scenery and you can walk for sound/pier area.

If you're in Corolla, or anywhere near Rte 12 North, do this. It's a beautiful light house, with a great view of Corolla Light (and the ocean, of course). Of course it's quite a climb, but worth the effort to see the surroundings. The staff is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and they love to answer questions about the history of the area.

What a cool park! This is the park at the end of Corolla right before you go off-roading on the beach and where you get your tires de/inflate. There's a cool Lighthouse there that you can climb and get an incredible birds eye view, some boardwalk, and the best part is the toddler playground. Our 2yo toddler loved it so much, even the adults didn't wanna leave. Pack some lunch/snack and do a nice picnic here.

We stopped at the lighthouse, and climbed to the very top! Would highly recommend this for anyone in the area. It's a great bit of history, and we were happy to support it.

Beautiful lighthouse and gift shop we didn't do the climb but it's so pretty I love the red brick. Gift shop prices are reasonable and good selection for small space.

Beautiful, dog friendly, and an adorable little gift shop so that you can bring home a souvenir from your visit. Very peaceful area, and only steps away from whalehead House. And yes there are public toilets. Just another beautiful day in the outer banks.

The Currituck Lighthouse was the first stop on our Outer Banks Lighthouse tour. This was a great first stop and a very memorable one. The layout of the area is big with the Lighthouse, parking, eating area, and museum. A lot of information regarding the lighthouse and the surrounding area. The Lighthouse itself is big and beautiful. Pretty as the color is different and more distinguished than the others. A winding staircase to the top of the lighthouse with a 360 view of the sound and ocean. It costs to go up, but definitely worth it and breathtaking. I highly recommend stopping here.

The most northern and a favorite among those staying in Corolla and Duck is in the Historic Corolla Park in downtown Corolla called the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. It has been continuously operating since 1875, has 220 steps, and is one of the few lighthouses in the county with the original first-order Fresnel lens. The entrance fee is $12 for 4 and older, and climbing to the top will give you beautiful views of the Currituck Sound and Atlantic Ocean. While you are there in the historic park, take time to visit the Historic Corolla Village, where historic homes are now charming little shops. The Island Bookstore is a favorite for beach reads & kid's books. The adorable The Kind Cup artisan coffee house and Corolla Village Market artist cooperative are also across the street.

Unique experience I had been here years before and walked up the light house. It has a great view of the ocean and surrounding area. This time I wanted to take my kids. Luckily I was with other people because children 4 and under are not allowed to walk up the stairs. They can only be carried in a carrier. Since I did not have one I had to wait at the bottom and other friends took my kids up. Glad some of my kids got the experience but wished we could have all done it together. There is a little gift shop. You also walk along a brick path to see several of the original buildings.

Great view of the north end of OBX. Must see for anyone staying in Corolla. Takes about 10 minutes to climb to the top. 160 some odd feet up. 202 steps.

Friendly staff, beautiful walk around the lighthouse. Great info inside the lighthouse and beautiful views up top!

We visited on a weekend This was our last lighthouse visit we made, the parking was easy to get to. There is a farm here you can visit as well. Very beautiful area and a great historical experience. March 18 - November 30 is when it is open this year (2023) seems to be the same times every year. It is 220 steps but there are landing areas if you have to take breaks on the way up. It was $12 per person to climb the lighthouse. Just visiting without climbing and the museum and gift shop shop is free, parking is also free which is nice! It is pet friendly as long as they are on a leash. We enjoyed the visit a lot.

My wife and I visitier this lighthouse a couple weeks ago on vacation and absolutely loved it! We just wish that we couldn't went to the top. (Morning nausea for her kept us on the ground.) Also, the gift shop here was incredible! A huge selection of well-made gifts and shirts.

I absolutely love OBX and visiting this lighthouse was a fun, memorable activity with my family. There were a lot of people exploring the grounds when we arrived, but we didn't have to wait very long to get in. Parking is plentiful, so that wasn't an issue either. This was my first time in a lighthouse and I was in awe! I will say that the steps are steep and obviously, there are a lot of them! We didn't really think about that when hauling 4 toddlers to the top, but we survived. No surprise that the views are breathtaking if you make it all the way up. A little scary if heights are an issue, but it's so worth it in my opinion. This is a family friendly activity for all ages.

Beautiful experience. The climb to the top is not very difficult, there are places to stop along the way. The views from the top are amazing

Currituck Beach Lighthouse is open for climbing. I just went to the first level as it was so hot and humid. It is 220 steps to the top with nine landings. The views are amazing I was told of the Currituck Sound; Atlantic Ocean; and the Northern Outer Banks. It costs $10 to climb and you pay right outside of the lighthouse. This location has a museum that wasn't opened on my visit; restrooms and a gift shop. The gift shop was the nicest of all I got to visit. The lighthouse is constructed of a million bricks and 162 feet tall. Construction began in 1872 and was lit in 1875. It is the northernmost lighthouse.

This is an awesome lighthouse in the beautiful Village of Corolla, North Carolina, just north of Duck and Southern Shores. A day trip to this historic beacon is well worth the trip! Plan on going early in the day since the lighthouse is only open for limited climbs to the top. Views from the main gallery that surrounds the Lantern Room are epic! The maritime forest below is as stunning as the shoreline this beacon once protected. It also offers views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the Currituck Sound on the other.

This lighthouse was a quick stop for us while we were in the area to see the wild horses. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse, but we didn't because of Covid-19. It was also a really foggy day, so I don't think we would have seen anything. There's a couple buildings with stores around too, but they were all closed when we were there. This wasn't my favorite lighthouse because the grounds were inland, but it's worth a quick stop if you're already coming up to see the wild horses.

I'm having trouble figuring out how to explain this awesome Lighthouse. For starters, it's a really cool sight. First lit almost 150 years ago, I find it amazing that these structures along the coast have withstood the many hurricanes we've had pass through. During our visit we had no wait to climb the winding stairs to the top. The stairs were designed with platforms after every revolution so you have a place to rest or turn around if needed. When arriving at the top be prepared for a birds eye view of the ocean and sound. The iron platform that wraps around it is wide enough for people to pass each other. The Currituck Maritime Museum is located at the entrance of the lighthouse grounds for you history buffs. Outside of the lighthouse is a gift shop and the Keepers Quarters is there as well but appears to be a private residence now so tours are not available.

Nice locale. Lots of interesting facts, if you are nerdy enough to care. If you like lighthouses, this is a good one to see.

When you go to the outer banks, you have to stop at as many lighthouses as possible. The goal of the vacation is to see all of the lighthouses. Currituck Beach Lighthouse is on the list. They have a great parking lot and the compound features a cute little "village" surrounding the lighthouse. There is the lighthouse, a shop, museums, and wildlife center, as well as the great scenery to check out. We did not climb this lighthouse, but I'm sure the views were as stunning as the rest of the climbs.

Beautiful view when you get to the top! They have fans going on the landings so you can stop and cool down during your 220 step journey to the top! Everyone working there was friendly, too.

On a whim I decided to climb this lighthouse. And it was a good thing I did! It turns out, in the off-season this was the only one I passed by that was still open to climb at the end of November. After hearing Cape Hatteras and Bodie Island were both closed for climbing I decided that if I wanted to climb a lighthouse on my trip, I'd better make it here. It's very well taken care of and the grounds are quite nice. The woman at the main entrance to the lighthouse takes your payment and lets you in right there. There's no ticket, but you will get a sticker at the end that proudly proclaims "I climbed Currituck Beach Lighthouse". The tickets are $10 per person. There is a wonderful 360 degree view outside at the top. A little terrifying if you're not a fan of heights as there's little more than a railing. Down at the ground there's a gift shop which I skipped over - did not need to spend any more money. There was a sign also pointing to a library/book store nearby too. Very cool experience for the price.

Fun experience! $12 a person to walk to the top, 220 steps up a gorgeous spiral staircase with multiple landings. There are little bits of history along the walls on the way up such as photos of previous lighthouse keepers. We did see several families that ended up carrying their little ones. Just know it's a climb up there but you can stop along the way on the landings. You sign a waiver as it's a historic building. They also warn to come down immediately in case of thunder or rain. It was much windier at the top than I expected-it's quite an experience up there, and if you're afraid of heights this might get you a little bit. I highly recommend it though and it was gorgeous! You can see for miles it's worth it. Big parking lot was free, and clean restrooms were available. The lighthouse was first lit in 1875 and is 162' tall. There is a small room/museum off to the side of the entryway of the lighthouse to check out when you enter with more history.

I love lighthouses and this natural brick structure was impressive. It's my favorite of all the OBX lighthouses. We loved the drive into Corolla to find this historic lighthouse tucked away among the trees. The grounds were beautifully kept and we saw some cool birds, pretty butterflies and shy turtles around the area. The 214 steps up to the top offers gorgeous views of the Ocean and Currituck County. The lines were short and I was happy to see this area hadn't gotten too touristy. The lighthouse gift shop was packed with knick-knacks, magnets, t-shirts, lamps, jewelry and gifts for lighthouse and nautical lovers! They not only had figures of the Currituck Lighthouse, but also the other popular OBX lighthouses too! Seeing this lighthouse was the highlight of my visit, a true beacon of inspiration!

Bottom Line: A historic gem that offers sweeping views of Currituck, Corolla and the Atlantic. I really enjoyed my most recent visit to the 144 year old Currituck Beach Lighthouse located in historic Corolla. On a Wednesday morning in late July parking was pleasantly easy about 9:45am. It was a little confusing where to buy tickets but I finally figured out that you pay inside the lighthouse right before the climb. We had about a five minute wait before paying our $10 per persons fee and heading up the spiral staircase. We enjoyed some of the exhibits along the way as well as the architectural details and found the climb to be easy. It wasn't too hot or crowded, thankfully. At the top we admired the views of the sound, Atlantic Ocean and Whalehead Club. We took some photos and enjoyed the breeze before our quick descent to the bottom and trip to the gift shop. The gift shop is located in the small lighthouse keeper's house. It is quite tight inside so there was lots of squeezing by people and merchandise. We bought a Christmas ornament and a few other trinkets before heading out. Unlike other Outer Banks lighthouses, the Currituck Beach Light is privately owned by the Outer Banks Conservationists, a private non-profit organization who's mission is preserving the character of the Outer Banks. The organization does a great job maintaining the grounds and the structures.

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! Currituck was unique in the fact that it's original red brick. I've never seen a red brick light house. You can walk to the top for a small fee.

Climbed the 220 steps on a 90 degree day and happy I did it!!! There are landing strips every section, with one longer section near the top. Amazing views once you get to your destination!!! Was worried it would be too hot and stuffy inside, but it wasn't bad at all.

My husband and I were on our way back to Northern Virginia from the OBX and visited 3...count 3 lighthouses in a weekend (Cape Hatteras, Ocracoke Island Lighthouse and this one). We've already seen the Bodie Lighthouse and the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse on a trip to the OBX last year. Although we didn't climb, I really enjoyed the view of this one, just as much as the others. The grounds were all green and in bloom for spring, and it looks different from the others with the unpainted brick. From what I'd read, they left it unpainted so that you could really see the aged beauty of it. It was truly just a nice view. There is plenty of parking and a park next door, so you can make a day of it. Although we would have never made a special trip to the area just to see this lighthouse, it was a great stop on the way home from a wonderful extended weekend getaway.

Such a great lighthouse! I really enjoyed climbing it! It's a gorgeous view at top, which made all the climbing worth it! (The free 'I climbed the Lighthouse!' Sticker once you finish made the climbing worth it too ). I would definitely do this again! Just be prepared to climb lots of stairs and (especially in the summer) be in a hot and humid indoor environment with few places to sit and rest as you are climbing up, but no worries, you can go up the stairs at your own pace. Also, if you are afraid of heights or closed spaces, climbing the lighthouse may not be for you. But you don't have to climb the lighthouse to be able to enjoy the beautiful sight that is the Currituck Beach Lighthouse!

I love going up these antique light houses with hundreds of years of history behind them this is not the oldest tallest or most remote but it is my favorite the light and the surrounding area is definitely a sight to see so if you find yourself on the outer banks of NC make a poi

Our first destination lighthouse at the Outer Banks (OBX). This way north on the OBX. It requires additional driving effort to get there. The extra distance to there is 40 minutes each way. The entrance to the area is free but to climb to the top of the lighthouse is $10. There is a line to go to the top of lighthouse if you arrive after 10 am. Since there is limited space on the lighthouse balcony, they limited the number of people to go in. This light house is simple design. It is all brick from bottom up. Many has use the compound for picnic. The parking just adjacent to the park.

Great site to see and clean area to walk around. You can sit on one of the benches, visit the small store, walk up the lighthouse. Pet friendly!

Took a detour to Corolla on our return from Nags Head to check out the lighthouse. It's located inside the Historic Corolla Village park with a $10 entrance fee to climb and there's a long line. But the surrounding park turns out to be a nicely landscaped place to walk around and the village has a few quaint stores and a coffeeshop. Plenty of free parking and clean bathrooms - a good place to stop by even if not going to the lighthouse. The nearby beaches are wide and empty when we visited in May, great for relaxed strolls.

This place was mobbed with people with a really long line to pay $10 to get out of breath. I mean, climb the lighthouse. I just wanted a pic. Mission accomplished.

If you are looking for the best place on the Outer Banks to grab a beer and CHILL, you found it. Been going since 2015 and it gets better every year. Try anything from 1718 Brewing and anything from Burial Beer

Great place for the whole family. Nice area with shops and places to eat. Fun walk to the top of the lighthouse. Well worth it for the incredible views. You can learn some of the history of the area which is really interesting. A must stop if you are in the area!

The last time we were in OBX during the winter of '17 the lighthouse was understandably closed. This time coming in June we knew it was time for another visit. A few random observations regarding coming here in season: * While there is a fair amount of parking here, at least during our most recent weekday visit it wasn't as much as you would think. There are three parking lot areas on Village Lane but that is shared with everyone else coming for the lighthouse, Whalehead, the wildlife education center, to use the air pump area where you can inflate/deflate before you go out on to the sand in Carova plus all of the kids sports activities. We did find parking but it was tough and note that if it does rain the lot does not drain well which equals large puddles everywhere. * The obvious thing to do is to want to save coming here for a drizzly or overcast day except of course that everyone else is thinking the same thing. We came on a Tuesday about an hour after opening and the line to climb was legit 50 deep. We stayed but the wait to climb was probably give or take 25 minutes. * Their website doesn't list this but they now accept plastic for admission. * If things are really busy skip the gift shop as it is very, very small with little room to maneuver. My wife was inside near the rear emergency exit door (nowhere else to stand) looking at buying a book or two when a member of the staff barreled in from the outside and knocked into her. No apology, just walked past to get behind the counter. Needless to say, she left the books there. #ignorantstaffrudeness With that said, the view here is incredible. You have a great look at the village, the sound and the ocean. The admission fee of $10 per person (8 and over) is a little steep but it hasn't changed in a few years and honestly is fair considering the view plus the excellent placards/displays that exist on the bottom two or three levels as you climb/descend. Hatteras is of course a much better climb than Currituck but this one should still by all means be on your list of non-beach things to do if you're in the Corolla area.

Definitely a cool day-time activity to break up your beach time in OBX. We did a couple hours of the beach, then cleaned up for lunch. Before heading out, we thought we'd check this place out. Super cute little historic area with the lighthouse and surrounding caretaker houses. Lots of little history nooks. You can climb to the top for $10 -- that seemed a little steep to me for a workout, but both my boys wanted to try it so we did. It is not for the faint of heart! Inside it's humid, though they have fans going, it doesn't really break the heat. So you want to get to the top as quickly as possible for the cross-breeze. Took us about 30 minutes with the four year old. I gotta say, the view once you're up top is worth it. You can see both the ocean and the sound, and it's amazing to get the perspective from up high. When you're close to the ground, the houses are all build up so high these days, you easily get trapped into a false sense of your relationship to the water. Overall it was a cool experience to add to our vacation and we'd probably do it again.

Overall: Great lighthouse due to mainly, in my opinion, unpainted brick and set among trees. Service: 3.75 stars- The female cashier in the museum was nice and friendly. Lost a star due to the gentleman outside giving safety instructions. Didn't feel welcomed with his presentation, mannerisms and at best was matter of fact. He may have been hot but he wasn't the right person for tourism interactions. The person inside the lighthouse was professional but not really welcoming either. Environment: 5 stars- Great unpainted brick lighthouse set amongst the trees. Each level has a story to tell and the views were great from the top. Museum was tight but had a great selection of items for purchase.

Beautiful lighthouse, no line. 10$ a person to climb. Super friendly lady working outside. Hot and stuffy inside but cool and breezy once to the top. Great view!

This is our second visit to the Currituck Lighthouse and it was just as wonderful as our first time. There is a $10 fee (cash and check only) which may seem high but for this was the only lighthouse open now for us to climb so we gladly paid it. It was worth every dollar! I'm terrified of heights but I still go up, stopping at each landing for a minute to talk myself into keeping going up. Going up to me is easier. I struggle with going down because the steps have tiny holes and it messes with me. It takes a bit of time to climb up! The views once to the top are amazing!! We caught a good day today and it was not as windy as it was on our last visit. Our pictures and memories were worth it! Also visit the gift shop nearby! Some good souvenirs! Enjoy! A definite must do if you are visiting the Outer Banks!

What a beautiful view from the top. It's so worth climbing the 220 steps on a narrow staircase. It's well organized so that there is no overcrowding. Expect to wait in line for a short while for people to return and for you to go There's a $10 fee per person

After visiting many other lighthouses in the Outer Banks area, we finally found one we could go climb to the top. The difference is Currituck Lighthouse is privately owned versus owned by the National Park Service. It's a minimal charge to climb the stairs but this fee keeps it funded and open to the public. I'm more than happy to do it! The climb up isn't bad at all. The winding staircase leading up has several larger areas if you need to stop and take a breather. You can read historical information at these stopping points if you'd like. I just wanted to race to the top and take in the scenery. It's gorgeous. You can see far and wide from the viewing area. If you're physically able then I would recommend making the climb. After the site of the Lighthouse, continue on the path to the gift shop. They have two levels of gifts and souvenirs. Items sold here also keep the light house funded and preserved. It's surely a beautiful place that I was happy to enjoy.

This place definitely gets the blood pumping. 200+ steps to the top. A dinky see through railing at the top. I found out I was afraid of heights. Once I got the to the top I had to come right back down. But I found it exciting at the same time. Talking to staff they tell you fun facts about the lighthouse and area. But that climb. It still gives me chills just thinking about it.

This is a cute little spot to visits nestled in the historical park section. It's $10 to walk to the top of the lighthouse - which seems pretty steep to me so my mom and I chose to skip it. We did roam the area and snap photos and look in the fairly large gift shop that has tons of lighthouse themed stuff and Corolla horse and mermaid items Plenty of parking on the side and some in the shade. I wouldn't make a special trip - but if you're in town already and love lighthouses it's a must see.

You can actually walk up to the top and experience a beautiful view of both waterways

I'm not quite sure it's "as good as it gets", in the grans scheme of lighthouses, but I had a very nice time in the area. Since there is so much to do, and things to see, and places to eat, I'll give this little epicenter 5 stars. I liked the lighthouse. I also liked climbing to the top, and the gorgeous view from the top. Nice gift shop. The little display of fishing boats was interesting too. Next stop lunch at Fat Crabs Rib Company ( https://www.yelp.com/biz/fat-crabs-rib-company-corolla ). Last stop in the area was the Corolla Public Beach. Note: The official name of the beach is Corolla Village Rd Beach Access. See: https://www.yelp.com/biz/corolla-village-rd-beach-access-corolla Bottom line: If you are in the area, and the weather is nice, I'd say you have to at least explore the area, and maybe even climb to the top of the lighthouse.

Enjoy a picturesque view from the top of this Corolla gem! It is $10 to climb the measly 220 steps to the top of the Currituck Lighthouse. While visiting the lighthouse, don't forget to stop at the museum giftshop! They have awesome souviners to remember your visit. I love to pick up local artwork and photographs of the lighthouse, wildhorses, and other Outerbanks' landmarks. Don't forget to take a stroll through Historic Corolla Park or enjoy a glass of wine at Whalehead Wednesdays after your visit!

Whenever I travel to OBX (Outer Banks, NC) with my wife and her family, I try to get a new lighthouse in as there are several in the area. Last year we visited here. It is a bit of a ride from where we usually stay in Nags Head (about 30 minutes) but worth the trip. Located in the Northern Outer Banks in Corolla Village. Construction began in 1873 and was completed on December 1, 1875. It is 162 feet tall with 214 circular steps to the top (think vertigo, don't look down!) They have windows and little bits of history on almost every landing on the way up. Once at the top you get a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, Currituck Sound and the Currituck Outer Banks. I definitely think it is worth the trip if you are in the area to see the little red lighthouse. Great views from the top.