News Release

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Reopens Beach Between South End of Buxton and Ramp 43

The lifeguard stand at Old Lighthouse Beach stands ready as lifeguard services resume for the season starting May 23.

NPS

News Release Date: May 21, 2026

Contact: Cape Hatteras Public Affairs Office, 252-475-9032

MANTEO, N.C. — Cape Hatteras National Seashore has reopened more than a mile of beach between the south end of Buxton and off-road vehicle ramp 43, following an interim response action by the Army Corps of Engineers, soil testing, and consultations with the U.S. Public Health Service and Dare County’s Department of Health and Human Services.

The Seashore plans to reopen the lifeguarded beach parking area in the coming days after a contractor removes a large quantity of house collapse debris that Seashore staff and volunteers have collected over the past nine months. Lifeguards monitor this beach between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. While the lifeguarded parking area is closed, the Seashore recommends visitors park in the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking lot and walk north to the beach using the multi-use pathway.

The beach in front of the Village of Buxton remains closed due to the presence of threatened oceanfront structures. The Seashore expects to reopen that location following Dare County’s upcoming beach nourishment project.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore regularly monitors all areas of the seashore for visitor safety and resource protection. To learn more about the USACE actions at the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site, visit  www.sas.usace.army.mil/Missions/Formerly-Used-Defense-Sites/Buxton-Naval-Facility.