Cape Lookout National Seashore - Wildlife Closures (U.S. National Park Service)

Drivers should keep watch for chicks, like this Wilson's Plover, hiding in the sand and grasses.

Shoreline closures to motor vehicles are seasonal or temporary with the exception of these permanent closure areas:

Shackleford Banks
Ramp 41a to Ramp 41b (lighthouse swim beach)
Power Squadron Spit west of the Jetty
Portsmouth Village

Loggerhead hatchling safe inside a closure.

In general, the shoreline is open to pedestrians. Exceptions will be posted.

Boaters can expect interior bird closures, signed closed to all entry, at the inlets and points from April 1 to August 31. Boaters are encouraged to land within 0.25 miles of the inlets. This allows pedestrians to walk the inlet shoreline for access to the ocean shoreline.

A map of North and South Core Banks which shows ramps connecting the ocean beach and the backroad is available in the Beach Driving brochure (575 KB).

The annual nesting reports can be found on the Wildlife Management webpage.

South Core Banks

The Coast Guard dock is closed due to hazardous conditions. The concrete road from the triangle intersection to the Coast Guard dock is closed to vehicles.

North Core Banks

Information is correct as of January 21, 2012

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