Cape Chronicle

About This Blog

The beach blog contains short updates on beach access and conditions. To see current beach access information, go to http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess. On the Beach Blog, you will also find previous issues of the Cape Chronicle e-newsletter. The Cape Chronicle newsletter is now published via email and social media. If you'd like to subscribe to the Cape Chronicle newsletter, email caha_public_affairs@nps.gov.

Ocean over wash already creating beach driving hazards

September 22, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

Ocean over wash from distant Hurricane Fiona is already creating beach driving hazards at many ramps. Cape Hatteras staff report that there is very little drivable beach on Ocracoke Island and the beach routes at ramps 49 and 55 are becoming impassable.

 

Night driving allowed at many ramps starting at 9 p.m. Sept. 15

September 14, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

Majority of priority ORV ramps will be open for night driving starting at 9 p.m. Sept. 15.

 

Many beach routes likely to be impacted by distant Hurricane Earl over next several days

September 08, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

Due to distant Hurricane Earl, ocean overwash is expected to impact many Cape Hatteras beach routes over the next several days.

 

Priority ORV ramps open at 6:30 a.m., starting Monday, Aug. 1, 2022

July 29, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

Cape Hatteras National Seashore's 10 priority ORV ramps open at 6:30 a.m. starting Monday, Aug. 1.

 

High risk of dangerous rip currents expected at all Outer Banks beaches

June 06, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

The risk of dangerous rip currents along all Outer Banks beaches is forecast to be high today, due to distant Tropical Storm Alex. A high risk, according to the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City forecast office, means that life threatening rip currents are likely and beachgoers should stay out of the ocean.

 

Parking lot at ORV Ramp 38 closed this summer during Avon beach nourishment project

June 02, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

Through this summer, Cape Hatteras National Seashore's parking lot at off-road vehicle (ORV) Ramp 38 will be closed while it serves as a staging area for beach nourishment equipment. Visitors who planned to park in the parking lot at ORV Ramp 38 should instead consider using nearby parking lots at Haulover Sound Access and Kite Point Sound Access.

 

Beach nourishment activities may delay access to and from Ramp 38

June 01, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

Through this summer, visitors to the beach route south of Ramp 38 can expect to experience some intermittent, short-term delays entering and exiting ramp as beach nourishment equipment is moved safely to and from the beach. The parking lot at Ramp 38 is closed until the Avon beach nourishment project concludes.

 

Ocean overwash expected on majority of ORV routes May 8-11

May 06, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

Majority of beach routes likely to be impacted by severe weather May 8-11.

 

Night driving restrictions on ocean-facing beaches go into effect May 1 at 9 p.m.

April 28, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

Night driving restrictions on Cape Hatteras ocean-side beaches begin Sunday, May 1 at 9 p.m.

 

Public invited to beach cleanup in honor of Earth Day

April 21, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

Public invited to Cape Hatteras National Seashore beach cleanup event in honor of Earth Day.

 

Access to Cape Point remains open via ORV-only corridor

April 15, 2022 Posted by: Michael Barber

On the morning of April 15, 2022, staff installed an ORV-only corridor south of Ramp 44 allowing passage near an American oystercatcher nest. The corridor begins at approximately 0.17 miles south of the ramp. Access to Cape Point remains open to ORVs through the use of the corridor.

 

Sign up for the Cape Chronicle e-newsletter

October 08, 2020 Posted by: Michael Barber

Sign up for the Cape Chronicle e-newsletter by sending an email to caha_public_affairs@nps.gov.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - September 10, 2020

September 10, 2020 Posted by: Michael Barber

62nd issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - September 3, 2020

September 03, 2020 Posted by: Michael Barber

61st issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 20, 2020

August 20, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

60th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - July 21, 2020

July 21, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

59th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - July 9, 2020

July 09, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

58th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - June 25, 2020

June 25, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

57th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - June 11, 2020

June 11, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

56th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - May 27, 2020

May 27, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

55th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - May 22, 2020

May 22, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

54th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - April 27, 2020

April 27, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

53rd issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - April 15, 2020

April 15, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

52nd issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - April 9, 2020

April 09, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

51st issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - March 3, 2020

March 03, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

50th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - February 20, 2020

February 20, 2020 Posted by: Mike Barber

49th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - December 5, 2019

December 05, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

48th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - October 30, 2019

October 30, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

47th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - October 23, 2019

October 23, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

46th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - October 10, 2019

October 10, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

45th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - October 4, 2019

October 04, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

44th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - September 26, 2019

September 26, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

43rd issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 29, 2019

August 29, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

42nd issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 22, 2019

August 22, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

41st issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 15, 2019

August 15, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

40th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 8, 2019

August 08, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

39th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 1, 2019

August 01, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

38th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - July 26, 2019

July 26, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

37th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - July 18, 2019

July 18, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

36th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - July 11, 2019

July 11, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

35th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - July 3, 2019

July 03, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

34th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter June 20, 2019

June 20, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

33rd issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - June 12, 2019

June 12, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

32nd issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - June 6, 2019

June 06, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

31st issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - May 30, 2019

May 30, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

30th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - May 23, 2019

May 23, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

29th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Memorial Day Weekend - Enjoying Cape Hatteras National Seashore

May 21, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

National Park Service staff at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) are looking forward to welcoming visitors from all around the world this Memorial Day weekend.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - May 15, 2019

May 15, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

28th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - May 8, 2019

May 08, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

27th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - May 2, 2019

May 02, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

26th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - April 24, 2019

April 24, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

25th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - April 19, 2019

April 19, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

24th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - April 11, 2019

April 11, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

23rd issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - April 5, 2019

April 05, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 22nd issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - March 29, 2019

March 29, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 21st issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - March 21, 2019

March 21, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 20th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - March 14, 2019

March 14, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 19th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - December 13, 2018

December 13, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 18th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - November 28, 2018

November 28, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 17th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - November 21, 2018

November 21, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 16th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - November 16, 2018

November 16, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 15th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - November 8, 2018

November 08, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 14th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - November 1, 2018

November 01, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy this #ThrowbackThursday edition of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - October 26, 2018

October 26, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 12th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - October 15, 2018

October 15, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the 11th issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - October 4, 2018

October 04, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the tenth issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter. Enjoy the pictures of a fossilized walrus skull!

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - September 28, 2018

September 28, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the ninth issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - September 20, 2018

September 20, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the eighth issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - September 7, 2018

September 07, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the seventh issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 30, 2018

August 30, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

View this week's Cape Chronicle newsletter for a full listing of events planned for Labor Day weekend.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 23, 2018

August 23, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the fifth issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 15, 2018

August 15, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the fourth issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 9, 2018

August 09, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

We hope you enjoy the third issue of the Cape Chronicle newsletter.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 2, 2018

August 02, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

July 2018 was the wettest month in the Buxton/Frisco area since June 1949! After receiving 20.31 inches of rain last month, it is pretty safe to say that nobody on Hatteras Island, or anywhere on the Outer Banks, will be saying “we need the rain” any time soon.

 

Cape Chronicle Newsletter - July 26, 2018

July 26, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

Welcome to the first issue of Cape Chronicle! Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area became the Nation’s first National Seashore when it was established on January 12, 1953. Now, the Nation’s first Seashore has its first email newsletter! We look forward to providing regular updates on all of our recreational activities, along with interpretive programming schedules, safety information, and various other topics of interest.

 

Cape Chronicle is now an e-newsletter

August 04, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

The Cape Chronicle blog is now an e-newsletter.

 

Memorial Day Weekend: Enjoying Cape Hatteras National Seashore

May 23, 2018 Posted by: Cape Hatteras National Seashore

National Park Service staff at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area (Seashore) are looking forward to welcoming visitors from all around the world this Memorial Day weekend.

 

Trip Tips: Where is Shelly Island?

March 13, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

The sandbar commonly known as “Shelly Island,” which first appeared off Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) in the spring of 2017, did not make it into the new year.

 

Photographs from the Dedication of Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area

February 28, 2018 Posted by: Mike Barber

On April 24, 1958, at 11:30 am, a ceremony to dedicate Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area was held at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, followed by a 2:30 pm ceremony at Coquina Beach.

 

Rasmus Midgett and the Gold Lifesaving Medal

August 18, 2017 Posted by: Michael Barber

On August 18, 1899, Surfman Rasmus Midgett of the US Life-Saving Service left on patrol from the Gull Shoals Life-Saving Station (between the villages of Salvo and Avon) and came upon the Priscilla, a distressed vessel washed ashore in the wake of the San Ciriaco hurricane.

 

Cape Point is Open

July 27, 2017 Posted by: Michael Barber

Cape Point remains open to both ORVs and pedestrians from beach access ramps 43 and 44 in Buxton. Please be aware that high tides will occur at 11:22 am and 11:32 pm and the beachfront will likely be impassable around these times.

 

Ocracoke pony herd has a new member

May 08, 2017 Posted by: Michael Barber

On May 7, 2017, a pony named Jitterbug, originally from Shackleford Banks, gave birth to the newest foal on Ocracoke.

 

Night Driving at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

April 25, 2017 Posted by: Michael Barber

To help protect nesting sea turtles and sea turtle hatchlings, night driving restrictions at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) go into effect on all designated off-road vehicle (ORV) routes and ramps starting Monday, May 1, 2017.

 

Spring Cleaning at Bodie Island Lighthouse

April 21, 2017 Posted by: Michael Barber

Cultural Resource Manager Jami Lanier and Volunteer Doug Stover cleaned the Bodie Island Lighthouse lens on April 18.  Fall and spring are optimal times to clean the lens, before and after the busy tourist season and also when the sun isn't too strong. Tuesday proved to be a good morning for cleaning the lens since it was overcast.

 

Feeding Time at the Ocracoke Pony Pens

February 08, 2017 Posted by: Michael Barber

The small, yet powerful, herd of Banker ponies on Ocracoke Island is cared for throughout the year by National Park Service resource management staff and the assistance of volunteers.

 

Seashore Colors in the 50s and 60s

January 27, 2017 Posted by: Michael Barber

An interesting color palette greeted visitors to Cape Hatteras National Seashore in the 1950s and 1960s. National Park Service buildings on the Seashore were painted in popular pastel colors of the time.

 

Off-Road Vehicle Bypass and Ramp Update

January 18, 2017 Posted by: Michael Barber

On Tuesday, January 17, Cape Hatteras National Seashore started work on the Cape Point bypass extension. This project will extend the existing Cape Point bypass extension north towards Ramp 44 about 0.4 mile and then south until the dunes disappear, about another 600 feet.

 

Coquina Beach Sunshades

January 10, 2017 Posted by: Michael Barber

On March 13, 1956, the National Park Service awarded a construction contract for the Coquina Beach facilities to Daniels Building Supply and Shanaberger Lumber Company of Nags Head. They completed the project in October 1956. Closed during construction, Coquina Beach and its "ultra-modern designed sunshades" opened in the spring of 1957.

 

Annual Winter Climb of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

December 13, 2016 Posted by: Michael Barber

On Saturday December 10, 2016, Cape Hatteras National Seashore participated in OBXmas. This regional holiday celebration, in partnership with the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, highlights Hatteras Island community sites, such as the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, and Hatteras Village Christmas Parade.

 

Descending Upon Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

December 09, 2016 Posted by: Michael Barber

During the week of December 5th, 2016, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was descended by a vertical access inspection team.

 

AmeriCorps NCCC crew helps the Seashore

December 05, 2016 Posted by: Michael Barber

An AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) crew of ten members is currently working at Cape Hatteras National Seashore to clear overgrown vegetation in the Frisco Campground and along the Billy Mitchell Road.

 

Ramp 49 elevation project update

December 05, 2016 Posted by: Michael Barber

A project to raise the elevation of Ramp 49 is now 98% complete. Once fully complete, the elevation of the ramp will be 36 inches higher than it was when the project started at the end of this August.

 

Beach debris cleanup in Avon

November 29, 2016 Posted by: Michael Barber

A beach debris cleanup operation in Avon was a big success on Tuesday, November 29, 2016. A large of amount of debris was picked up starting at Ramp 38 going north toward the fishing pier.

 

Volunteers needed for a beach cleanup on Saturday, December 3

November 29, 2016 Posted by: Michael Barber

The National Park Service and AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) will be conducting a beach cleanup on Saturday, December 3, from 10 am to noon. The cleanup event will begin at the ranger station at the Oregon Inlet Campground.

 

Green sea turtle nesting update

November 18, 2016 Posted by: Michael Barber

On August 21, 2016, a female green sea turtle was struck by a vehicle and had to be euthanized due to her severe injuries. Since this was a nesting female, Resource Management (RM) staff took a step further by salvaging all of the eggs that still remained inside of her and relocated these into the the ground in an attempt to mimic a typical green sea turtle nest cavity. A total of 172 eggs were relocated roughly 0.5 miles north of Ramp 32.

 

Welcome to the Cape Chronicle blog

November 18, 2016 Posted by: David Hallac

Welcome to the Cape Chronicle blog. Here you will find Cape Hatteras National Seashore resource management and off-road vehicle management updates, interpretive information, and employee-submitted articles.

 

Last updated: November 8, 2016

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Mailing Address:

Cape Hatteras National Seashore
1401 National Park Drive

Manteo, NC 27954

Phone:

252 473-2111

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