Orv ramps are available all along hatteras island and are designated access roads that allow 4wheel drive vehicles to drive directly onto the beach. Most trails are accessible to stock unmodified fourwheel drive vehicles. Beach activities cape hatteras national seashore u. All of the beaches along ocracoke island are part of the cape hatteras national seashore, and as such, national park service nps rules and regulations apply to every stretch of shoreline. Cape hatteras point orv access fight home facebook. Hatteras island and ocracoke the cape hatteras national seashore which comprises the beaches of hatteras and ocracoke islands also offers miles of shoreline for beach drivers to explore, all marked by brown, national park service managed ramp markers that indicate the mile and entrance point of every beach ramp along these islands.
Located 4 lots from the oceanfront, this property features 78 ft of street frontage, backs up to cape cottages home development and national park land. Permits required to drive on the beaches of cape hatteras national seashore are now available through recreation. Hatteras village is known for providing tourists with beautiful pristine ocean beaches and world renowned deep sea fishing. Trails at are comprised mostly of fire breaks, sandy unimproved roads, and driving near the ocean. However, feebased permits are required along with a vehicle that is capable of driving in deep, soft sand and a set of basic rescueoriented equipment. Cape hatteras park service off road info sound side recreational access for boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailboarding, parasurfing and other activities within the park is available via the many access roads along the west side of hwy. Cape point, a famous fishing site in the outer banks of north carolina not far from the cape hatteras lighthouse, is closed for the first time in close to two years. Built in 1968 and located within the boundaries of the cape hatteras national seashore, ocracoke airport is maintained by the united states park service. A large, free parking area is located at the southern end of hwy. Cape point obx closed to fishing because of birds raleigh. Do keep in mind that access does change frequently during the breeding seasons of protected birds and sea turtles.
Cape hatteras national seashore blueribbon coalition. Here ive collected 6 free highresolution cape hatteras national seashore maps to view and download. You can toggle between road map and aerial view and even zoom in for an up. You must bring your drivers license and vehicle registration with you. The seasonal offroad vehicle, or orv, access for beaches in front of the villages of hatteras island closed monday for the summer season. Visitors to cape hatteras national seashore soon will have 29 new access points for exploring the seashores beaches under a plan stemming from its offroad vehicle management plan. Dec 06, 20 visitors to cape hatteras national seashore soon will have 29 new access points for exploring the seashores beaches under a plan stemming from its offroad vehicle management plan.
These routes, which run parallel to the towns of hatteras, frisco and avon and the villages of rodanthe, waves and salvo, open to orvs annually in the winter months when the visitor population is low, and close from april until october. Designated offroad vehicle routes national park service u. At the time, the trip required a hop onboard a small ferry across. Surfing, sea shells, and sunbathing all await you on cape hatteras. This is the cape hatteras map from the brochure, ranging from bodie island to hatteras island and ocracoke island. The final special regulation rule for the management of offroad vehicle orv use at cape hatteras national seashore seashore was published in the federal register on january 23, 2012 and becomes effective on wednesday, february 15, 2012.
Off road vehicle orv use on hatteras and ocracoke islands is not just a. For more information, please visit nps current interactive beach access map. Go to the cape hatteras orv permit page on recreation. One of the best things about the outer banks is being able to drive on the beach.
Map of our outerbanks and hatteras nc vacation rentals. The official cape hatteras national seashore facebook page. Cape hatteras national seashore is a united states national seashore which preserves the portion of the outer banks of north carolina from bodie island to ocracoke island, stretching over 70 miles 110 km, and is managed by the national park service. Nps offers orv permits online cape hatteras national. The outer banks voice cape point closed to orvs for first. View maps and find hotels, nearby restaurants, events, and more with our interactive map. Use of orvs within cape hatteras national seashore requires a permit. This group was created to start the conversation and gather information to stop the overreach of the park service. Driving on the beach is allowed yearround at designated orv ramps throughout hatteras island, and the cape hatteras national seashore. We, the undersigned citizens of the united states of america, believe in free and open access to beaches on the cape hatteras national recreational park and do request with due importance of economic impact, tourism, the pursuit of happiness as stated in the constitution of the united states and with regards to the cape hatteras national recreational park be put back in the hands of the. The gulf stream offers seasonal angling for pelagic species such as yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, bluefin. For current cape hatteras national seashore off road vehicle orv use. Offering the online option will further streamline the process for many visitors and local.
Keep these following rules, regulations and nps ordinances in mind to ensure a great day at the beach. The seven charming villages of hatteras island are tucked within the cape hatteras national seashore and its expansive beaches. In order to receive an orv permit your vehicle must. For a full list of ramp locations and hatteras beach driving regulations please visit the cape hatteras national seashore website. Cape hatteras orv map designated beach access areas across cape hatteras national seashore. Outer banks group, 2524759034 superintendent barclay trimble announces early availability and a new option for purchasing annual and weekly offroad vehicle orv permits for designated orv routes in cape hatteras national seashore seashore for the 2014 season. Offroad vehicles orvs are welcome on many of hatteras islands beaches. Cape hatteras national seashore orv permit recreation. Zoomin on the beach areas in question they will be colorcoded, with the green areas open to orvs.
Sand build up at ramp is causing reduced visibility when entering and exiting beach. Heres how you can get your beachdriving permit online. Cape hatteras lighthouse 60 59 58 57 54 53 52 48 46 45 59 44 43 49 55 38 34 30 23 27 seasonal orv route nov 1 mar 31 seasonal orv route nov 1 mar 31 seasonal orv route nov 1 mar 31 seasonal orv route nov 1 mar 31. These offices will be open yearround, seven days a week, except christmas day, from 8.
Apr 26, 2008 we, the undersigned citizens of the united states of america, believe in free and open access to beaches on the cape hatteras national recreational park and do request with due importance of economic impact, tourism, the pursuit of happiness as stated in the constitution of the united states and with regards to the cape hatteras national recreational park be put back in the hands of the. Permits can also be purchased and printed online at recreation. The national park service offroad vehicle orv management plan permits the use of vehicles on designated orv routes ocean. Second only to the cape hatteras lighthouse, cape point could be considered one of hatteras islands oldest attractions, as fishermen began making the long trek to the southern outer banks in the 1940s and 1950s just to access this outoftheway beach. The national park service is managing orv use with protection of important wildlife habitat and recreational interests. Maps of designated orv routes are available at nps offices and online on the cape hatteras national seashore website. The projects, ranging from parking lots and offroad vehicle ramps to handicap accessible boardwalks, were outlined in the seashores construction of new. Click the image to view a full size jpg 375 kb or download the pdf 20. You can choose to visit a visitor center at cape hatteras national seashore in person or you can visit the cape hatteras orv permit page at. New regulations for orv vehicle use on the cape hatteras. As of february 2012 permits are now required for driving on the beach. The map below provides detailed location information for many of the beach ramps along the outer banks. With its wide variety of outdoor recreation, wildlife, bird watching and remote attitude, hatteras makes a perfect destination for folks that just want to get away and enjoy nature.
Cape hatteras national seashore camping vacations surf. Nps lifeguarded beach the nps lifeguarded beach is part of approximately sixteen miles of national seashore and one of the most beautiful beaches on the eastern seaboard. Important reminder to beachgoers that most of cape hatteras national seashore beaches remain open for the purpose of staying healthy while following federal, state, and county guidelines to help mitigate the spread of covid19. Orv, offroad, jeep, 4x4, ramps, beach access, 4wd, driving. Cape hatteras inlet is the closest location on the entire east coast to the balmy waters of the gulf stream which translates to shorter boat rides and more time fishing. Information regarding cape hatteras national seashore orv final rule. The document, according to the park service, evaluates the impacts of several alternatives for regulations and procedures that would manage orv offroad vehicle use and access in the national seashore.
The map below is colorcoded to indicate the forecast rip current risk level. Designated offroad vehicle routes hyde county, north. On june 29, 1940, the name of the seashore was changed to its current title of the cape hatteras national seashore recreational area. Trail system is open yearround drive only on marked orv routes and comply with posted restrictions. Click on the beach area of your choice for more information, or click a beach umbrella for the detailed, beach forecast. You can access the beach by vehicle at one of several sand ramps along the island.
New beach access orv ramp coming to cape hatteras national seashore by npt staff january 11th, 2016 2. Public comment is essential to ensure free and open beach access to the cape hatteras national seashore recreational area. Cape hatteras national seashore 1401 national park drive manteo, nc 27954. This lot is located just a short drive or bike ride from the nearest orv access and the cape hatteras lighthouse. Use this interactive map to locate our homes and offices along with the islands historic attractions, locally owned restaurants, shopping and points of interest. Cape hatteras national seashore rodanthe, waves, salvo, avon, buxton, frisco, hatteras, and ocracoke obtaining an orv permit is an easy process that takes only minutes from start to finish. The national park service nps proposes changes to cape hatteras national seashores seashore offroad vehicle orv special regulation. Driving on the beach the outer banks, north carolina. While an orv permit allows visitors to access miles of otherwise hardtogetto beaches, it should be noted that a number of the more popular surf fishing destinations, which include cape point and hatteras inlet, have been closed to seasonal visitors in recent years due to endangered bird breeding activity. Orv routes on hatteras island beaches archives hatteras. Orv permits can be obtained at any of the three nps orv permit offices located at coquina beach, the cape hatteras lighthouse visitor center buxton, and the ocracoke visitor center. Vehicles must have an orv permit to drive within the cape hatteras national seashore on designated orv routes.
Orv rules and regulations cape hatteras national seashore. Driving on the beach, or off road, is allowed at cape hatteras national seashore, both. Included within this section of barrier islands along n. The legal issues surrounding this activity have created some confusion as to what areas are open for orv use and which are not. Be properly registered, licensed, insured and in compliance with inspection requirements for the state, country or province where the vehicle is registered. View the product description document for more information on the rip current graphic. Cape hatteras is a fascinating combination of natural and cultural resources and provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities. In 2010, nps finalized the offroad vehicle management plan and environmental impact statement orv feis for orv use at cape hatteras national seashore to. Driving on the beach, or off road, is allowed at cape hatteras national seashore, both along the atlantic ocean and the pamlico sound. Cape point closed to orvs for first time in nearly two years. According to a post on the cape hatteras national seashore facebook page, the closure begins 0. Cape hatteras seashore orv permits are now available online. Cape hatteras lighthouse frisco buxton avon fishing pier fishing pier hatteras island visitor center cape hatteras lighthouse 60 59 58 57 54 53 52 48 46 45 59 44 43 49 55 38 34 30 23 27 seasonal orv route nov 1 mar 31 seasonal orv route nov 1 mar 31 seasonal orv route.