Get there Early!
Tips To Reduce Parking Stress
Visiting on weekdays, and arriving before 11 am or after 3 pm, could help avoid long entrance station lines and delays, and difficulty finding a place to park.
During peak visitor season at Cape Henry (typically from April into November each year), parking is extremely limited and usually fills by 11 am. During these times, visit Cape Henry with a backup plan. Visitors are strongly encouraged to consider visiting mid-week, which is when Cape Henry is generally less crowded.
- Be flexible. Arrive with alternative plans and destination in mind or plan to wait in line for a parking spot during busy times. Wait times at the entrance station can be over an hour on the very busiest weekends and holidays.
- Once the parking lot is full, we are only able to allow one car in while another one exits.
Also, new as of 2019 is a shuttle system for transporting guests to the lighthouse following a security check by Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. The first shuttle of the day arrives at Gate 8 at 9:55 a.m. and the last shuttle picks up at 4:15 p.m. The parking lot and shuttle pick-up area will conform to CDC guidelines, with masks and social distancing required.
