Outer Banks Group Park Facilities and Beaches Reopen

Date: October 31, 2012
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-473-2111

Superintendent Barclay Trimble announced today that efforts to re-open park facilities and beach access ramps to popular park beaches are moving forward.Wright Brothers National Memorial and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site are open and have resumed normal hours of operation.On Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches, all ocean and soundside beach areas have been evaluated for safe access for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Park beaches are open to pedestrian access throughout the park unless otherwise posted. Park visitors can expect to see some safety and/or resource protection closures in effect.

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 remains closed to ORV access until standing water recedes

·Rodanthe-Waves- Salvo Area:

Ramps 23 and Ramp 30 will reopen to ORV access on November 1 (designated seasonal ORV routes)

Ramp 27 will reopen today, October 31

·Avon Area:

Between Ramp 34 and 38, the area is open to pedestrian access and will reopen to ORVs on November 1 (a designated seasonal ORV route.)

·Cape Point-Buxton-Hatteras Area:

Ramp 43 is open with access to Cape Point

Ramp 45 is open to pedestrian access

Ramp 49 is open to pedestrian and ORV access

Ramp 55 remains closed to ORV access until standing water recedes

·Ocracoke Island:

Ramp 59 remains closed to ORV access until standing water recedes

Ramp 67 is open to pedestrian and ORV access

Ramp 68 is open to pedestrian access and reopens to ORVs on November 1 (a designated seasonal ORV route)

Ramp 70 is open to pedestrian and ORV access with access to South Point

Ramp 72 remains closed to ORV access until standing water recedes

Other Park Facilities:

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial are open and have resumed normal hours of operation.

All Park Visitor Centers and ORV permit offices are open and have resumed normal hours of operation.

Billy Mitchell and Ocracoke Airstrips are open.

The Know Your Park series presentation, previously scheduled for November 2 at 7 p.m. at the Ocracoke Community Center, has been cancelled.

For more information, contact 252-473-2111.

-NPS-