We’ve known all along that beaches along the North Carolina coast are the best around. Now, so does everyone else in the United States. USA Today named Cape Lookout National Seashore the Best National Park Beach of 2016. Superintendent Pat Kenney.
“We actually received an email from USA Today advising us that we had won.”
Cape Lookout beat out other national park beaches in Virgin Islands National Park, Cape Cod National Seashore, and Olympic National Park. An honorable mention from the contest includes nearby Cape Hatteras National Seashore in the number eight spot. I asked Kenney if there was a friendly rivalry between Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras.
“I actually have not spoken to him about this matter, I speak to him regularly but I haven’t spoken to him about this matter. I haven’t rubbed it in so to speak.”
Kenney is actually quite humble about the designation, saying the contest is a win for the National Park system as a whole, bringing greater visibility to the places they protects.
“Obviously, it’s great to be recognized as the best but I think all of the National Parks beaches that were on the list were present great opportunities for the public to see some of the special resources the country has.”
Cape Lookout National Seashore was among 20 nominees, selected by a panel including a combination of editors from USA TODAY, 10Best.com, relevant expert contributors and others. The contest started in February and lasted four weeks. People were able to vote online for their favorite national park beach once a day. Winners were determined by popular vote and announced last Friday.
As the contest was just getting started, Kenney says they sent out a press release letting people in the community know about it. He says they took it from there.
“The Chamber of Commerce was a big player in getting the word out, as well as the tourism development authority here in Carteret County. I think it really shows you the people in the community really are supportive of Cape Lookout, it’s a very special place to them. They hold it very near and dear to their hearts. I think it’s a pretty small community and to get enough votes to win this competition shows you that the people of this area really care about this park.”
Kenney says it’s the community connection that won this contest. For many, visiting the park is nostalgic; pulling your boat up on shore and swimming all day, with the lighthouse and Carolina blue skies as the backdrop. For others, the 56-miles of pristine coastline provide a respite far away from the hustle and bustle of life. Whatever the reason, the national seashore is a popular beach destination with about a half a million visitors annually, some arriving by passenger ferry others by private boat. Kenney says there’s no shortage of activities to do on the three barrier islands that makeup the park.
“Some of the best surf fishing around, it is a great place to collect shells and beachcomb. It’s a great place just to come, sit and read a book and enjoy the spectacular views. We have a lot of people that camp and walk and fish and swim and surf. So there is a whole range of activities you can do at Cape Lookout.”
Another unique attraction is climbing 207 stairs to the top of the Cape Lookout lighthouse. Built in 1859, the black and white diagonally checkered structure holds a rotating beacon that is operational both day and night. The light flashes every 15 seconds and is visible up to 19 miles at sea. At 163 feet, the lighthouse is one of the tallest structures on the Crystal Coast where people can take in panoramic views of the mostly undeveloped shoreline.
“Climbing the lighthouse is probably one of the highlights for many folks who come to the park. It not only gives you a glimpse into the history of the area, but I’ll tell you that view from the top is pretty spectacular. You can take in the whole 360 view from the top of the lighthouse. You can see the cape, you see the bite, you see the surrounding islands, and you get that spectacular unobstructed view out into the ocean.”
The lighthouse opens for tours from the second week in May to the third weekend in September. Climbing takes place Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:45 to 4:15, with groups leaving every 15 minutes.
Another unique feature about Cape Lookout National Seashore is that you can drive a vehicle or ATV on the beach.
“Two of the three islands are open to beach driving. We get a lot of visitors who come and do that, and they use it as a way to travel up and down the beach and get to various spots to camp or fish or just to enjoy one of their national parks.”
Speed limits on North Core Banks and South Core Banks are posted and enforced. During certain times of the year, there may be closures to protect bird and sea turtle nests.
Most people come to Cape Lookout for a day at the beach. But those who stay longer will be rewarded with a beautiful sunset and a dark, night sky to look for shooting stars and constellations.
“If you’ve never spent the night at the Cape, I think it’s one of the most spectacular things about it. You get to see that really dark sky. It is a rural community down here in eastern North Carolina. You get away from that city light, get down here at the Cape and the stars are just amazing.”
There are no designated campgrounds on the seashore, but primitive tent camping is permitted along much of the beach without a permit.
If you’re thinking about taking a trip to the Cape Lookout, bear in mind that the most popular time of the year for visitors is just around the corner.
“The biggest season of course is the summer season, kind of that Memorial Day to Labor Day period. But we do get a pulse in the Spring Break crowd. A lot of families and folks that just want to get away during Spring Break. And then another big season is in the fall. This part of the coast is known for fall fishing. We get a huge contingent of sports fishermen that come down and surf fish along the coast. And some of these folks have been fishing at the park well before the park was in existence.”
Park visitation could notice an uptick this year, since Cape Lookout was recognized as the “best national park beach.” Kenney says he hopes the article in USA Today will bring nationwide attention to the park.
“We’re not maybe quite as high-profile as some of the other parks as far as well-known beyond the local community. So we’re anticipating that we’ll see some visitors coming from the story that will run in USA as well as the media attention we’re getting from other outlets.”
And it’s not just folks from out of state they’re hoping to bring in. Kenney says the designation serves a reminder to people living here in eastern North Carolina that we have access to an award winning beach destination.
“I think people, sometimes we take it for granted the stuff that’s right there around our home. But you know there’s only 409 national parks throughout the country and one of them is right here in Carteret County.”
In June, Cape Lookout National Seashore celebrates the 50th anniversary of the creation of the park along with the National Park Service Centennial. For more information on special events and activities taking place at Cape Lookout National Seashore throughout the year, go to findyourpark.com.
