Outer Banks Group National Parks Reopen

Date: October 17, 2013
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-475-9034

Superintendent Barclay Trimble announced the Outer Banks Group national parks are re-opening today.Park facilities and Cape Hatteras National Seashore beach access ramps to popular park beaches, all ocean and soundside beach areas have been evaluated for safe access for both pedestrians and vehicles.Seashore visitor centers, information areas and off-road vehicle permit offices are open.Wright Brothers National Memorial and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site are open and have resumed normal hours of operation.

"We are happy to be back at work serving the American people and welcoming the thousands of visitors to their national parks," stated Superintendent Trimble."We are proud to be a member of this community and are pleased to once again contribute greatly to the local economy."

The following is a summary of the status of park beach access areas/ramps:

• Bodie Island Oregon Inlet Area:

Ramp 1 and 2 are open to pedestrian access

Ramp 4 is open to ORV access

• Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Area:

Ramp 23 is open to pedestrians and reopens to ORVs on November 1

Ramp 27 is open

Ramp 30 is open

• Avon Area:

Ramp 34 is open to pedestrians and reopens to ORVs on November 1

Ramp 38 open

• Cape Point-Buxton- Hatteras Area:

Ramp 43 is open

Ramp 44 is open

Ramp 45 is open to pedestrians

Ramp 49 is open

Ramp 55 and the Pole Road are open

• Ocracoke Island:

Ramp 59 is open

Ramp 67 is open

Ramp 68 is open to pedestrians and reopens to ORVs on November 1

Ramp 70 is open

Ramp 72 is open

From September 16 to November 15, night driving is allowed on ORV routes, or portions thereof, with no turtle nests remaining.A permit is required for any off-road vehicle use in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. On-site signage of a closed area will be clearly marked in the field with "symbolic fencing" consisting of wooden or carsonite posts, closure signs, string and black filter fencing.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Bodie Island Lighthouse are closed to general climbing for the 2013 season.

All park campgrounds, except Ocracoke are closed for the 2013 season.Ocracoke campground is expected to reopen at noon today.

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For general information on the Outer Banks Group national park sites, visit www.nps.gov/caha, www.nps.gov/wrbr, www.nps.gov/fora; Twitter @CapeHatterasNPS, @WrightBrosNPS, @FortRaleighNPS; or call 252-473-2111.

-NPS-