Cape Point closes to off-road vehicles

Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials today closed Cape Point to off-road vehicles.

Deputy Superintendent Darrell Echols made the announcement, which he termed a “temporary” ORV access closure of the popular Cape Point area in accordance with the requirements of the ORV management plan that became effective last year.

On April 9, National Park Service staff observed piping plover breeding behavior about a half mile south of Ramp 44 adjacent to the ocean shoreline. This is in the area commonly known as “the bypass.” 

The width of the beach is very narrow in the area and the required ORV management plan requires a buffer of 75 meters, which resulted in the closure to vehicles. There currently is not an alternative ORV access route to Cape Point

Pedestrian access remains east of the closure along the shoreline to the tip of Cape Point.

Last year, Cape Point closed to vehicles on the same date – April 9.  ORV access was restored last year on Aug. 3.

For more information on beach access, check Google Earth maps at: 
http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/googleearthmap.htm  or call 252-475-9000.