Standing at the mouth of North Carolina’s Cape Fear River, this lighthouse was built in 1903 to guide vessels through one of the Atlantic coast’s most treacherous waterways. The steel-skeleton tower replaced earlier lighthouses that served the area dating back to 1796. Decommissioned and no longer active, Cape Fear Light sits on Bald Head Island, accessible only by ferry. The lighthouse is not open to the public or available for climbing, but its striking silhouette makes for excellent photography, especially during golden hour. Visitors to the island can explore nearby Old Baldy — North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse — as well as pristine beaches, maritime forests, and the Bald Head Island Conservancy’s nature trails.

Explore Nearby

• Baldhead Island State Natural Area — State Park in North Carolina
• Fort Fisher State Recreation Area — State Park in North Carolina
• Brunswick Town Road — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Green Swamp Byway — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Croatan National Forest — National Forest in North Carolina