Self-Guided Visit
Lighthouse grounds and beach walk
Visit the Cape Hatteras Light Station grounds, the keeper's quarters museum, and the beach where the Lady in White is said to walk on misty mornings.
- Duration:
- 1.5 hr
Museum / Historical Site
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
The Outer Banks' 1870 Sentinel and the Theodosia Burr Story
46368 Lighthouse Road, Buxton, NC 27920
Research updated May 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Grounds are free to visit. Lighthouse climb fees apply during the climbing season, per the National Park Service.
Access
Limited Access
Sandy beach and lighthouse grounds; lighthouse climb is stairs only
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1870 · National Park Service Site · Cape Hatteras National Seashore · Graveyard of the Atlantic · Theodosia Burr Mystery (1812)
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a 198-foot brick lighthouse near Buxton, North Carolina, on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks. The current tower was completed in 1870, replacing an earlier 1803 lighthouse that had been authorized by Congress on the recommendation of Alexander Hamilton, who had identified the Diamond Shoals off Cape Hatteras as one of the most dangerous stretches of the American coast.
The lighthouse and surrounding Cape Hatteras National Seashore are administered by the National Park Service. The light station was famously moved 2,900 feet inland in 1999 to protect it from coastal erosion.
The Outer Banks coastline is associated with the December 1812 disappearance of the schooner Patriot, on which Theodosia Burr Alston — daughter of former Vice President Aaron Burr and wife of South Carolina governor Joseph Alston — was sailing from Georgetown, South Carolina to New York. The ship was never seen again. Theories about its fate range from foundering in a storm to running aground on the Diamond Shoals to attack by Outer Banks 'wreckers.' In 1833 an Alabama newspaper published a deathbed claim by a confessed pirate who said he had participated in the killing of those aboard the Patriot at Nags Head; the claim was never independently confirmed.
Sources
- https://www.outerbanks.org/blog/post/not-throwing-away-his-shot-alexander-hamiltons-obx-lighthouse-legacy/
- https://www.sunrealtync.com/blog-post/the-disappearance-of-theodosia-burr-an-outer-banks-mystery
- https://www.outerbanksvacations.com/blog/haunted-spooky-places-outer-banks-nc
Apparition of Lady in White on beachReports of figures seen on misty morningsMaritime folklore around shipwrecks
Among the Outer Banks' best-known ghost traditions is the Lady in White, a figure most often identified with Theodosia Burr Alston. According to oral tradition collected in regional folklore writing, on misty mornings on the beaches near Nags Head and Cape Hatteras, witnesses have reported seeing a woman in a white gown walking along the shoreline, sometimes pausing to face the sea.
The Theodosia Burr identification is the most-cited element, drawing on the December 1812 disappearance of the Patriot, the schooner she sailed from Georgetown, South Carolina toward New York. The story has been a fixture of Outer Banks ghost tours and visitor publications for generations and is paired in regional writing with the broader Graveyard of the Atlantic narrative, in which an estimated 2,000+ ships have been lost off the Outer Banks coast.
Notable Entities
Theodosia Burr Alston (Lady in White)
Plan Your Visit
2 ways to experience Museum Visit
Keeper's quarters museum
Tour the keeper's quarters and visitor exhibits managed by the National Park Service.
- Duration:
- 45 min
Sources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Hatteras Lighthouse family-friendly?
Family-friendly National Park Service site. The lighthouse climb is physically demanding; check NPS guidance for age and height requirements. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Cape Hatteras Lighthouse?
Grounds are free to visit. Lighthouse climb fees apply during the climbing season, per the National Park Service. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Cape Hatteras Lighthouse wheelchair accessible?
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Sandy beach and lighthouse grounds; lighthouse climb is stairs only.