South Beach on Hatteras Island and South Point on Ocracoke Island

Date: August 10, 2009
Contact: Outer Banks Group, [phone]

Superintendent Mike Murray announced today the reopening of two off-road vehicle (ORV) areas in Cape Hatteras National Seashore over the weekend.  SouthBeach, near Buxton, NC on Hatteras Island reopened on Saturday, August 8,2009 and South Point on OcracokeIsland reopened on Sunday, August 9, 2009.  Both areas are open to ORV traffic from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. daily.  The nighttime prohibition on beach driving is still in effect on all National Seashore beaches from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

In addition, Bodie Island Spit reopened last Thursday, August 6, 2009.  There is ORV access for approximately 2.3 miles north of Ramp 4 and 1.3 miles south of Ramp 4 to Oregon Inlet. 

The nesting season for beach nesting birds is winding down in the National Seashore; however, colonial waterbird nests and chicks are still present in some areas.  In addition, park visitors will observe sea turtle nesting areas on all Seashore beaches.  The protection areas are posted with signs and symbolic fencing and are closed to vehicle and pedestrian access and to all pets. Destruction of government property and entering a resource closure are federal criminal violations, each subject up to a $5,000.00 fine and up to six months imprisonment.

For up-to-date information on currently open or closed areas, check the Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Google Earth maps at: 

https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/googleearthmap.htm