• Brown Pelican taking off.

    Cape Hatteras

    National Seashore North Carolina

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • 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 »

Pets

Playing in the surf with two dogs.

A visitor plays in the surf with her dogs.

NPS

Your pets are welcome at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Pet must be on a 6’ leash at all times and are prohibited within any resource closure. Pets are not allowed on designated swim beaches or in buildings. Please, for your pet’s sake, do not leave them unattended. And, for other visitors’ sake, clean up after your pet.

If your pet is a horse … that’s ok too! You may ride them anywhere vehicles are permitted to drive except in campgrounds. Horseback riding is prohibited in NPS campgrounds. Riders are required to use ORV ramps when crossing dunes.

Did You Know?

Giant Water Flea

This is not a space alien, even though it has a transparent body, wings, and a very large eye.  Giant water fleas grow up to 2 cm long, and are a food source for small fish that shelter in the sound. 

You can swim with them in the sound-side waters off Cape Hatteras National Seashore.