8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Road, Nags Head, NC 27959
With its striking black and white horizontal stripes, the 1872 Bodie Island Lighthouse in Cape Hatteras National Seashore welcomes visitors who want to climb the 214 steps that spiral to the top. The 170-foot structure is one of only a dozen remaining brick tower lighthouses in the United States – and one of the few with an original first-order Fresnel lens, which sends a 160,000 candlepower beacon 19 miles over the ocean. The restored Double Keeper’s Quarters also contains lighthouse exhibits and a bookshop for you to peruse while you catch your breath post-climb.
Situated amid marshland and maritime forest, the lighthouse offers visitors a glimpse into the history of the Outer Banks. The surrounding boardwalks provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching and photography, especially during sunrise and sunset.
The current Bodie Island Lighthouse is actually the third version — its two predecessors didn’t survive long, one due to structural issues and the other was destroyed during the Civil War.
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Walk This Way
The surrounding boardwalks don’t just lead to the lighthouse — they take visitors through a pristine coastal marsh. It's a prime spot for birdwatching, from graceful egrets to the occasional bald eagle.
The 'Gray Man' Ghost
First in Fright
This iconic lighthouse is not just a navigational aid but also a site of eerie legends, including the "Gray Man" Ghost. The elusive "Gray Man" is said to have met his fate in a sudden summer storm in the early 1900s, but it seems he never truly left. His misty figure drifts along the shore, silently wandering the coastline and lighthouses — sometimes even captured on pier cameras. This spectral legend makes the lighthouse an unmissable stop on our Creepy Coast road trip. And for even more spooky coastal lore, listen to our First in Fright Creepy Coast episode.
