Parks Begin to Reopen on Limited Basis

Date: July 5, 2014
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-475-9034

The Outer Banks Group of national parks, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, today begin the process of returning to normal operations in many areas of the parks.

Facilities in the northern end that have returned to normal hours of operation include:

• Wright Brothers National Memorial;the Visitor Center and all grounds
• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site;the Visitor Center, all grounds but downed trees remain on many of the trails
• Bodie Island Lighthouse and Bodie Island Visitor Center
• Oregon Inlet Campground
• Ramp 4 is open to Off-Road Vehicle use
• Coquina Beach Bathhouse and Lifeguard operation
• Coquina Beach Off-Road Vehicle Permit office

Many facilities on Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island remain closed due to access and electrical needs.A few areas have opened to accommodate visitors already on the islands.Those facilities include:

• Cape Hatteras Buxton Visitor Center and grounds surrounding the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse - (the Lighthouse remains closed to climbing)
• Buxton Lighthouse Beach Lifeguard operation
• Hatteras Island Off-Road Vehicle Ramps open include: Ramp 27, 30,38,43,44, 49, 55
• Ocracoke Island Off-Road Vehicle Ramp 70 and south is open

Ocracoke Island received significant wind and water damage from Hurricane Arthur.As of Saturday, July 05, 2014, the island does not have consistent electrical power.Needed repairs begin today and more information will follow.

_NPS_