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Cape Hatteras National Seashore announced that it hosted an estimated 259,618 visits in October, up 37.58% from October 2019.

This was the second-busiest October on record, trailing only the 288,705 visits recorded in October 2003, according to CHNS. Only three times in its history has CHNS hosted more than 200,000 visits in October.

Top 5 Highest October Visits by Year

2003: 288,705

2020: 259,618

2018: 201,269

2000: 199,548

2017: 199,300

CHNS notes that visitation estimates are collected by counting southbound vehicles just north of the Marc Basnight Bridge and using a multiplier to estimate the total number of passengers heading south. Those estimates are added to the number of passengers going to Ocracoke Island from Cedar Island and Swan Quarter.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial also experienced high levels of visitation last month, including 19,779 visits recorded at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, making it the third-busiest October at the park.

“Visitors should continue to practice the Three W’s – Wear a cloth face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained. Wait six feet apart in line. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds,” advised a CHNS press release.

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