The Cape Lookout Lighthouse will open May 17 for the summer season/Kurt Repanshek

Trips to the top of Cape Lookout Lighthouse will run for four months this year, beginning May 17 and running through Sept. 17, at Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina.

Climbing will be open from 9:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. In addition, the lighthouse will open on the Sunday of three holiday weekends: May 29 (Memorial Day), July 3 (Fourth of July), and Sept. 4 (Labor Day).

Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for senior citizens (62 or older) and children (11 and under). Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can only be purchased in-person at the site the day of the climb, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Be prepared: Walking to the top of Cape Lookout Lighthouse is equivalent to climbing a 10-story building. Children must be at least 44 inches tall, and children 12 and under must be escorted by a person at least 16 years old. Visitors should bring sunscreen, bug spray, water, and snacks, and plan to pack out any trash as the park is a trash-free zone. Also, check local weather ahead of time and dress accordingly.

For lighthouse aficionados, the lighthouses at nearby Cape Hatteras National Seashore are scheduled to open April 15.