Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Location	Outer Banks, Dare County & Hyde County, North Carolina, USA
Nearest city	Nags Head, North Carolina
Coordinates	35°18′13″N 75°30′41″W / 35.30361°N 75.51139°W / 35.30361; -75.51139Coordinates: 35°18′13″N 75°30′41″W / 35.30361°N 75.51139°W / 35.30361; -75.51139
Area	30,351 acres (122.83 km2)
Established	January 12, 1953
Visitors	1,960,711 (in 2011)
Governing body	National Park Service
Website	Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a United States national seashore which preserves the portion of the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island, stretching over 70 miles (110 km), and is managed by the National Park Service. Included within this section of barrier islands along N.C. 12, but outside the national seashore boundaries, are Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and several communities, such as Rodanthe, Buxton, and Ocracoke. Cape Hatteras is a combination of natural and cultural resources, and provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities.

Once dubbed the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" for its treacherous currents, shoals, and storms, Cape Hatteras has a wealth of history relating to shipwrecks, lighthouses, and the US Lifesaving Service. The islands also provide a variety of habitats and are a valuable wintering area for migrating waterfowl. The park's fishing and surfing are considered the best on the East Coast.

There are three visitor centers, each located on a barrier island. The visitor centers offer information about the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, ranger programs, and a bookstore.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore was established by Congress on August 11, 1937. The funds to purchase much of the land for Cape Hatteras National Seashore were donated by multi-millionaire philanthropist Paul Mellon. On June 29, 1940, the name of the park was changed by the U.S. Congress to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. The name change was done to accommodate hunting interests, which at that time was a unique allowance for a National Park Service managed entity. The park was officially dedicated on April 24, 1958, and is currently co-managed with two other Outer Banks parks, Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island. It is headquartered at Fort Raleigh.