Cape Hatteras National Seashore

A crab scuttles along the sand at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

A scene at Cape Hatteras.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore protects the wild and windy shorelines of North Carolina's Outer Banks.

The roiling waters off the Outer Banks have wrecked more than 600 ships over the centuries, earning the moniker "Graveyard of the Atlantic."

Some wrecks are still visible. There are four historic lighthouses along the shore, including the 208-foot, candy-cane striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

The beaches are a breeding ground for many species, including the endangered piping plover and the 300-pound loggerhead sea turtle.

Visitor centers on Hatteras, Bodie and Ocracoke islands, linked to the mainland by bridges and ferries, offer programs for naturalists, historians and children.

The sandy beaches are popular for surf fishing, swimming, surfing, snorkeling and windsurfing. Nature trails traverse shores, salt marshes and coastal woodlands. There are coastal campgrounds at the park.

Touring bicyclists must negotiate a crowded and shoulderless Route 12.

Visitors can climb the lighthouse for a fee.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore has four campgrounds, all capable of serving tents, trailers, and motor homes. Reservations can be made only for Ocracoke Campground during certain time periods. Except for Ocracoke, campsites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping for groups of 7 to 30 people is available by reservation only at Oregon Inlet Campground.

Camping is permitted only at designated campgrounds.