Bodie Island Lighthouse
Bodie Island Lighthouse, Nags Head: Hours, Address, Bodie Island Lighthouse Reviews: 4.5/5
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Bodie Island Lighthouse
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
An interesting and still important lighthouse that can be visited but not climbed. (NOTE: The lighthouse is currently under construction, and is expected to re-open in summer 2013, with the ability to be climbed for the first time)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,140 reviews
Excellent
1,364
Very good
599
Average
147
Poor
21
Terrible
9
Katewelltraveled
Lyons, NJ35 contributions
Family
What an incredible find! We’re not into lighthouses but the Bodie Lighthouse & area are so beautiful & serene.
The grounds are immaculate. There is a boardwalk and viewing platform surrounded by a marsh that has the most spectacular sunset views.
We saw a crab swimming around in the marsh which was fun.
Clean & air conditioned bathrooms at start of boardwalk as well as water filling station.
A must see!!!
The grounds are immaculate. There is a boardwalk and viewing platform surrounded by a marsh that has the most spectacular sunset views.
We saw a crab swimming around in the marsh which was fun.
Clean & air conditioned bathrooms at start of boardwalk as well as water filling station.
A must see!!!
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sannewmes
1 contribution
Family
This is a great experience if you can get the tickets on the National
parks website. Create a Log in save your credit card information for fast checkout. 7am sharp the day of your trip to the lighthouse tickets go on sale and they go so fast. I didn’t get 4 tickets until 5:20pm and I got on at 7am sharp. Only 8 tickets per time slot. Otherwise you are turned away from going up in site.
But wow what view. 215 stairs to the top and being July and having to wear masks it wasn’t that hot. The top was super windy and the family loved it.
This is the only lighthouse as of July 2022 that you can go to the top.
parks website. Create a Log in save your credit card information for fast checkout. 7am sharp the day of your trip to the lighthouse tickets go on sale and they go so fast. I didn’t get 4 tickets until 5:20pm and I got on at 7am sharp. Only 8 tickets per time slot. Otherwise you are turned away from going up in site.
But wow what view. 215 stairs to the top and being July and having to wear masks it wasn’t that hot. The top was super windy and the family loved it.
This is the only lighthouse as of July 2022 that you can go to the top.
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CFred733
Phoenix, AZ114 contributions
Beautiful lighthouse, but we were very disappointed that you needed a reservation to see the inside. The walkway into the marsh was great. Well worth the time.
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stealth Reviewer Charlie
11 contributions
Family
Its a lighthouse ... No more ... No less ... The area can get extremely windy ... Hold on to your hats ... Small dogs ... and kids ... Okay ... You can let go of the kids ...
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
duckie
15 contributions
Family
the area was really pretty and had a nearby walkway that led to the water with nice views. only downfall was the limited opportunities for climbing the lighthouse. i believe they’re open three days a week and tickets usually sell out before 9am.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Victoria B
Raleigh, NC1,398 contributions
My husband and I LOVE lighthouses and have climbed all of NCs (except for Ocracoke, which is only open on the 4th of July every year and is no longer open for climbing). I am so pleased after many, many, many years that Bodie is open for climbing again. Unfortunately on our last trip, everything was closed for the season, but we enjoy walking up to and around the lighthouse and then out on the marsh trail for great views from there. Even with little ones, this is a fun adventure!
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mama Travels
47 contributions
Super cool views of the black and white lighthouse set contrasting the color of the sky. We missed the ranger talk so that was a bummer. We did do the Junior Ranger activities with my sons which is always cool! We also walked the walkway to the side which gives a nice view of the water on one side and the view of the lighthouse again on the other. We caught some wildlife in action which was exciting like a nutria and an egret (I think it was an egret) catching food. So glad we came.
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ty B
22 contributions
Couples
We enjoyed climbing the Bodie Island Lighthouse on a Saturday afternoon during a trip to the area. We reserved tickets for a specific time online, $10 per person. The climb is relatively easy unless you have health conditions that would create difficulty. It's a winding staircase with a series of landings. One climber is allowed on a section of the staircase at a time (max 260 lbs on the section). Once you reach the top you can see the modern lighting apparatus. Recommended.
Written June 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
smoo75
Chicago, IL116 contributions
We enjoy visiting lighthouses across the country and so of course stopped here. The lighthouse was not open to climb the day we were there, however it was very enjoyable to walk around the area.
Written June 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Glenn Ward
Palmyra, PA27 contributions
Couples
A lot of people were visiting at the time we went. If you want to go inside the keeper’s house or climb the tower, bring a mask - required.
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Is there a fee to just walk the grounds?
sunflower35
Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia618 contributions
No fee for walking the grounds.
occams-razor
Antioch, IL89 contributions
is there an entrance fee or a fee to climb the lighthouse?
Markus B
109 contributions
Yes.
You can get it into it and look up. Which is alread an experiance. If you want to get up the stairs you need to buy a ticket at the counter at the entrance. But walking the area us free. The guards are savvy and know their stuff.
emsterrrr
Maryland84 contributions
Even though the lighthouses are closed for the season, are they still accessible to walk to/around for photos?
Dreamersdoit
The Villages, FL389 contributions
Yes the grounds are open even if building closed when I was there.
tlafleur
Henderson, Nevada69 contributions
How much time should I allow for touring the grounds of Bodie Island Lighthouse?
L B
14 contributions
Bodie lighthouse is beautiful. Just taking pictures I could be there all day. There are nice areas to walk. A very nice gift shop. Also depends on if you tour the lighthouse. I would say at least an hour.
Can we take our one year old up the lighthouse?
prep33grl
Rochester, NY381 contributions
I believe there is height restrictions. So No...
momonthego497
Hannibal, Missouri1 contribution
What date will you open in 2017?
midwestscubagal
St. Louis, Missouri80 contributions
Check with the National Parks Service. It is still worth seeing, and my husband and I were there when it wasn't open. The grounds are magnificent and there's a boardwalk that leads to a marsh with stunning views of the water and lighthouse. The gift shop is open as well. If you can get on one of their full moon tours (once monthly) that would be a great experience.
ArthiRaga
North Carolina296 contributions
How many steps are there to climb the Bodie Island Lighthouse? Is it ok to go around with toddler kids?
C H
Anderson, SC47 contributions
I don't know how many steps there are. But no. It is NOT kid friendly. . . Not because kids can't do it, but Bodie had a policy on height. . . They wouldn't even let me take my 9 month old up in a baby carrier because she doesn't meet the height requirement. . . Dumb. . . But we went to Currituck lighthouse. Currituck is north of Duck. My 4 year old climbed it no problems. . . Head to Currituck. It is worth the drive. The ammount of steps are almost the same at the two light houses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bodie Island Lighthouse
- Bodie Island Lighthouse is open:
- Wed - Mon 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Hotels near Bodie Island Lighthouse:
- (5.86 mi) Oasis Suites Hotel
- (8.27 mi) Roanoke Island Inn
- (8.37 mi) Cameron House Next Door
- (6.84 mi) First Colony Inn
- (6.89 mi) Surf Side Hotel
- Restaurants near Bodie Island Lighthouse:
- (3.65 mi) O'Neal's Sea Harvest
- (4.28 mi) Fish Heads Bar & Grill
- (8.38 mi) The Hungry Pelican
- (8.43 mi) Grits Grill
- (6.62 mi) Miller's Waterfront Restaurant
- Attractions near Bodie Island Lighthouse:
- (0.60 mi) Coquina Beach
- (2.00 mi) Outer Banks Horseback
- (3.46 mi) Paradise Dolphin Cruises
- (3.52 mi) Reelistic Fishing Charters
- (5.83 mi) Outer Banks Kayak Adventures