Pronounced “body” by locals, the Bodie Island Lighthouse stands just south of Nags Head near Oregon Inlet, and it is the easiest of the Outer Banks lighthouses to reach from the northern beach towns. Its bold horizontal black and white bands make it one of the most photogenic towers on the coast, rising about 156 feet above a flat marsh landscape. The present tower dates from 1872 and is the third lighthouse on this stretch; the earlier ones failed, one because of an unstable foundation and one when retreating Confederate troops blew it up in 1861. After a long restoration, the lighthouse reopened to climbers in 2013 and now draws steady summer crowds. The old double keepers’ quarters beside the tower serve as a visitor center and bookstore, and a boardwalk leads out into the marsh where herons, egrets, ospreys and turtles are easy to spot.
The climb
The tower has 214 steps, and in season the National Park Service runs climbs in small groups with timed tickets, usually sold in advance through an online reservation system. The stairway is a cast-iron spiral inside the brick shell, and at the top a small gallery gives wide views of the marsh, Pamlico Sound, the Atlantic and Oregon Inlet.
Children must meet the minimum height or age requirement. The season usually runs from spring into autumn, with some special moonlit climbs, but dates change, so check the NPS website. If you arrive when climbing is closed, the exterior, the grounds and the museum are still worth the stop.
Beyond the tower
The boardwalk behind the lighthouse crosses a freshwater pond and marsh, and in the early morning it is full of life. Bring binoculars for the birds, and look for turtles sunning on logs. Nearby, the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and the Marc Basnight Bridge to Hatteras Island put you at the gateway to the national seashore. Just north, Jockey’s Ridge and the Nags Head beaches make an easy pairing, and Roanoke Island is a short drive west, so the lighthouse sits at a convenient crossroads for a mixed day.
Planning
Allow about an hour without a climb and ninety minutes with one. Parking is free in the lot beside the grounds, and facilities are limited, so use the visitor center restrooms. Summer midday is hot and bright, and the marsh can be buggy at dusk, so bring repellent. The lighthouse looks best in the low light of early morning or late afternoon. It is the second stop on the classic north-to-south lighthouse trail, between Currituck Beach and Cape Hatteras, and many visitors fit it in on the way to or from Hatteras Island.
Extra context
The original Bodie Island tower was built in 1847, and its foundation proved unstable, which is why a second tower followed before the present one in 1872. The lighthouse still uses a first-order Fresnel lens, which is among the largest and most elaborate types ever made, and its beam can be seen far out to sea.
The nearby Oregon Inlet is famous for strong currents and shifting sandbars, which is a reminder of why the light was needed. Fishing boats from the marina bring in tuna and marlin in the warm months, and the sight of the fleet returning is a bonus for visitors who stay for sunset.
What to expect
The experience
A seasonal timed-ticket lighthouse climb of 214 steps, plus a visitor center and a marsh boardwalk.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon for light and birdlife; spring and autumn for mild weather.
How long
About an hour, or ninety minutes with the climb.
Tips
Check NPS climbing dates and ticket rules, bring binoculars and bug spray, and arrive early in summer.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers, lighthouse fans and birdwatchers.
- Families
- Children who meet the height rule enjoy the climb, and the boardwalk is easy for small legs.
- Couples
- A quiet golden-hour stop with a marsh walk.
- Pair with
- Jockey’s Ridge and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.
- Time needed
- One to one and a half hours.
Good questions
How tall is the Bodie Island Lighthouse?+
It is about 156 feet tall, with 214 steps to the top.
How do I pronounce Bodie?+
Locals say “body”, not “bow-dee”.
Can I climb it?+
In season, yes. Climbs are ticketed and run in small groups, so check the National Park Service website.
What else is there to do at the site?+
The visitor center is in the old keepers’ quarters, and a boardwalk leads into the marsh for birdwatching.
Is it near Nags Head?+
Yes, it is a short drive south of Nags Head, near Oregon Inlet, so it is the easiest lighthouse to visit from the northern beach towns.