• Brown Pelican taking off.

    Cape Hatteras

    National Seashore North Carolina

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  • New Off Road Vehicle Regulations

    New off road vehicle (ORV) regulations are now in effect. Please check here for information on how to get your ORV permit More »

  • Beach Fire Permits are required

    Beach Fire Permits are now required. These permits are free. Please check here for information on how to get your Beach Fire Permit More »

Doing Business With The Park

Incidental Business Permits

Thank you for your interest in obtaining a permit to operate commercial activities within Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

These permits, known as Incidental Business Permits (IBPs), are issued by the park Superintendent to permit certain commercial activities in National Park Service areas, including Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Permits are required of all operators who provide any and all goods, activities, agreements or other services to the general public which take place, at least in part, in the park, uses park resources and are undertaken for or results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit or profit to an individual, organization or corporation, whether or not such entity is organized for purposes recognized as non-profit under local, state or federal law. This includes educational institutions.

We look upon our commercial operators as partners in managing the park and its resources. Your services and expertise allow many visitors to undertake activities that enhance their experience and enjoyment while they are at the Seashore. We look forward to working with you to provide quality experiences for park visitors.

If you have any questions concerning the Incidental Business Permit program, please contact the IBP Coordinator.

Did You Know?

Lightning whelks are one of the few species of "left-handed" gastropods: their shells whorl to the left.

Lightning whelks eat about one large clam per month.  The whelk pries the clam open with its muscular foot, wedges the clam open with its shell, then eats the soft inside of the clam.

Lightning whelk shells, which whorl to the left, wash up on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.