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.

In previous years, all ramps opened at 7:00 am and closed at 9:00 pm from May 1 through at least September 15, but changes to the Seashore’s ORV Management Plan that were approved this year allowed for earlier morning opening times at 10 popular (priority) ramps, listed below.

Priority ORV Ramps
Ramp 2 – Bodie Island
Ramp 4 – Bodie Island
Ramp 25 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 27 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 43 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 44 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 48 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 49 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 70 – Ocracoke Island
Ramp 72 – Ocracoke Island

ORV Ramp Opening Times
May 1 – July 31: Priority ORV ramps open at 6:00 am and close at 9:00 pm. All other designated ORV ramps open at 7:00 am and close at 9:00 pm.
Aug 1 – Sept 30: Priority ORV ramps open at 6:30 am and close at 9:00 pm. All other designated ORV ramps open at 7:00 am and close at 9:00 pm.
Oct 1 - Nov 15: All designated ORV ramps, including priority ramps, open at 7:00 am and close at 9:00 pm.
Sep 15 – Nov 15: A transition to night driving (24 hours a day) could occur if there are no sea turtle nests remaining along a route.
Nov 16 – Apr 30: All designated ORV routes are open to night driving.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Off-Road Vehicle Map
New ORV beach access map based on modifications made to the Seashore's ORV Management Plan.
 

ORV



Last updated: April 25, 2017

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Manteo, NC 27954

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252 473-2111

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