description Bodie Island Lighthouse Overview
The Bodie Island Lighthouse, established in 1890, stands as the easternmost operating aid to navigation on the U.S. Atlantic coast, guiding ships through the treacherous shoals of the Outer Banks with its powerful light and fog signal.
help Bodie Island Lighthouse FAQ
Can visitors climb Bodie Island Lighthouse?
The National Park Service normally offers seasonal climbing, with same-day tickets sold through Recreation.gov. Reaching the top involves 214 steps inside the 156-foot tower.
Why is Bodie Island Lighthouse painted with horizontal stripes?
Its alternating black and white horizontal bands form a daymark that identifies it in daylight. Nearby Outer Banks towers use different patterns, including Cape Hatteras's spiral and Cape Lookout's diamonds.
Is the current Bodie Island Lighthouse the original tower?
No. The present tower is the third Bodie Island lighthouse and first displayed its light in 1872; an earlier tower was abandoned, and another was destroyed during the Civil War.
Does Bodie Island Lighthouse still use a Fresnel lens?
Yes. It retains a first-order Fresnel lens made in Paris in 1871, and the lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation within Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
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