ORV routes throughout the Cape Hatteras National Seashore will seasonally close to night driving beginning on May 1, in anticipation of nesting sea turtles and hatchlings.
In previous years, all ramps opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 9 p.m. from May 1 through at least September 15, depending on sea turtle nesting activity. But changes to the Seashore’s ORV Management Plan that were approved in early
2017 allow for earlier morning opening times at ten popular (or priority) ramps, which are listed below.
Priority ORV Ramps
Ramp 2 – Bodie Island
Ramp 4 – Bodie Island
Ramp 25 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 27 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 43 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 44 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 48 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 49 – Hatteras Island
Ramp 70 – Ocracoke Island
Ramp 72 – Ocracoke Island
ORV Ramp Opening Times
May 1 – July 31: Priority ORV ramps open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. All other designated ORV ramps open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.
Aug 1 – Sept 30: Priority ORV ramps open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. All other designated ORV ramps open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.
Oct 1 – Nov 15: All designated ORV ramps, including priority ramps, open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.
Sep 15 – Nov 15: A transition to night driving (24 hours a day) could occur if there are no sea turtle nests remaining along a route.
Nov 16 – Apr 30: All designated ORV routes are open to night driving.
Beach-goers should also note that beach fires are allowed May 1-Nov 15 in front of the villages from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., and seasonal ORV routes in front of villages are only open to pedestrians from now until Oct 14.
