America has a love affair with North Carolina’s lighthouses. And let’s face it… the lights in the Tar Heel State are pretty fantastic! On your next lighthouse road trip along the beautiful Carolina coast, be sure to carve out enough time to take this lighthouse walk in North Carolina. It may not be a long one, but the views are unforgettable!
The third rendition of the Bodie Island Lighthouse is filled with history, mystery, and intrigue.
The beautiful tower stands 156 feet tall and actually allows visitors to take a self-guided climb to the top from the third Friday in April to Columbus Day.
Before this current version of the Bodie Island Light was constructed in 1872 and located just north of Oregon Inlet, there were two other versions of the Bodie Island Light that didn't end well...
The first, built in 1847 and south of Oregon Inlet, was constructed by someone with little experience in building lighthouses and, within two years of being finished, it began to lean. That light was abandoned.
Advertisement
The second Bodie Island Light, also built south of the Oregon Inlet, suffered a horrible demise.
It was completed just two years before the start of the Civil War and, fearing the Union soldiers would overtake the light and therefore have a stronghold on the coast, the Confederate Army blew it up in 1861.
Advertisement
The third and current version is location north of Oregon Inlet and a climb to the top offers unobstructed, 360-degree views for as far as the eye can see.
A boardwalk leading from the lighthouse and a mere 0.2-miles long, doles out long range and colorful views of the light with horizontal stripes. The green marsh and the blue sky only serve to further accentuate the photos you'll bring home from this adventure.
At the end of this short lighthouse walk in North Carolina, you'll be able to take in views of the Oregon Inlet...
...from on top of the water on the big deck at the far end of the boardwalk. Imagine feeling the salty breeze on your face while you gawk at the gorgeous surroundings.
Some say three is a charm, and this third version of the Bodie Island Lighthouse is most definitely charming!
How many times over the years have you visited the Bodie Island Lighthouse — and have you ever taken this lighthouse walk in North Carolina?
The Bodie Island Light Station is open year-round, however some buildings and access to self-guided lighthouse climbs are limited to between the third Friday in April and Columbus Day each October. Tickets to climb the lighthouse are $10/person and are assigned a climb time. For more information and to see height and weight restrictions for this lighthouse climb, see this link on the official website of the National Park Service. Access to the park and the lighthouse walk is available all year long.
Address: 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse, Nags Head, NC, 27959
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
