Up We Go! Ho! Ho! Ho! Special Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Winter Climb
A special Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Winter Climb is scheduled for Saturday, December 10 from 10am to 3pm and is absolutely FREE to the public! It’s called Up We Go! Ho! Ho! Ho!
Lighthouse Society and National Park Service employees from the Interpretation Division will staff the lighthouse, which will be decked out for Christmas with a wreath on the door.
As a reminder, all climbers are required to be at least 42 inches tall and must climb the steps on their own — they cannot be carried. Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (16 years of age older). The climb is strenuous. The 248 steps to the top are equal to climbing a 12-story building, and there may be damp and chilly conditions inside depending on the weather.
What to Expect
The climb is strenuous! The 248 iron spiral stairs to the top equal climbing a 12 story building. The stairs have a handrail only on one side and a landing every 31 steps. There is no air conditioning. It may be noisy, humid, hot and dim inside the lighthouse and there is two-way traffic on the narrow stairs.
Visitors with heart, respiratory or other medical conditions, or who have trouble climbing stairs, should use their own discretion as to whether to climb the tower.
The lighthouse may close at any time if weather conditions are unsafe.
The following safety rules apply:
• Children must be at least 42″ tall and capable of climbing all steps on their own.
• Children under 12 must be escorted by an adult (16 years of age or older).
• No person may be lifted or carried.
• Running, jumping, or stomping on stairs and landings is prohibited.
• Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew tobacco.
• No pets, other than service animals.
• Do not arrive in heels over 1 ½ inches high or in bare feet.
• Leave umbrellas in your car.
• Backpacks, tripods, coolers, beach bags, surfboards, fishing poles, etc. also need to be left in your car.
• Throwing of objects, including frisbees, boomerangs, etc, off the lighthouse is unsafe and may get you in big trouble!