Ocracoke, the first of the Outer Banks' lights, was constructed as a pilot light for the entrance to the treacherous waters of Ocracoke Inlet in 1798. Permanently illuminated in 1823, the stark white 75-foot tower is the oldest operating lighthouse on the North Carolina coast. Surrounded by the lush beauty of Ocracoke Village, the light overlooks tranquil Silver Lake. The tower is closed to the public, yet the grounds are open year-round. The National Park Service operates a visitor's center near the Cedar Island Ferry Terminal, open Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 AM to 4 PM daily.
