The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) has reopened ORV ramps 2 and 4, most Hatteras Island ramps, and all Ocracoke Island ramps, according to a Thursday afternoon update. “After assessing conditions this morning at ramps 43 and 44, a decision was made to keep these two ramps closed to ORVs for the next 24-48 hours [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

National Park Service visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore), Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Fort Raleigh) and Wright Brothers National Memorial will remain closed Thursday, Jan. 23. Fort Raleigh’s shoreline erosion public meeting, originally scheduled for Jan. 23, is postponed—a new date will be announced in the coming days. All off-road vehicle (ORV) [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

As a safety precaution, Cape Hatteras National Seashore has temporarily closed all ORV ramps due to difficult beach driving conditions. The combination of snow and sand has resulted in numerous vehicles getting stuck on Hatteras and Ocracoke Island beaches. At least 5-6 inches of snow fell overnight on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, and another half [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Ahead of an impending winter storm, National Park Service visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore), Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Fort Raleigh) and Wright Brothers National Memorial will close at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 and remain closed Wednesday, Jan. 22. Outdoor areas at the Seashore and Fort Raleigh will remain open. As [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Fort Raleigh) invites public comments on three preliminary alternatives for stabilizing approximately one mile of its shoreline. Public comment on the preliminary alternatives is open from Jan. 8-Feb. 7, 2025. Erosion along a section of Fort Raleigh’s shoreline poses a serious threat to potential archeologically significant sites and park facilities. [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

A deceased pygmy sperm whale calf was found washed up on the beach just east of South Beach Road in Buxton on Tuesday morning, January 7, at approximately 8:00 a.m. The whale was discovered by beachgoers who immediately notified the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS). CHNS personnel responded soon after the reported sighting, and removed [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

After observing smoke inside the Bodie Island Lighthouse’s Double Keepers’ Quarters (DKQ), staff from Eastern National – the operator of the building’s retail store – called 911 at around 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, to report a potential fire. Upon arriving at the Bodie Island Light Station, the Nags Head Fire Department reported seeing [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

The Wright Brothers National Memorial will waive its entrance fee on eight days in 2025, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January. The eight fee-free days are as follows: January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day April 19: Start of National Park Week June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day August 4: Great American Outdoors [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services has issued a revised public health advisory for Buxton Beach, due to the December 19 reopening of a portion of the beach closure. Following a 60-day interim response action by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) reopened an approximately two-tenths-of-a-mile section [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

With 2,678,290 visitors recorded during the first 11 months of 2024, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) is on track to have another busy year. Per statistics from the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, CHNS recorded the following monthly totals for 2024: January – 77,193 February – 79,256 March – 154,935 April – 197,239 May – 267,243 June – 404,323 [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Following a recent interim response action by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), and consultations with the Dare County Department of Health of Human Services (DHHS), the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) has reopened an approximately two-tenths-of-a-mile section of beach starting at the southernmost jetty in Buxton and continuing to the south, also known [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

From OcracokeObserver.com The number of rescued sea turtles on the Outer Banks this past week was, well, stunning. A cold spell that dropped water temperatures into the 40s Fahrenheit resulted in hundreds of sea turtles drifting onto the shores of the Outer Banks. Sea turtles are ectotherms, meaning they are cold blooded and can’t regulate [...] Seashore News |  Full Article