Seasonal Night Driving Restrictions go Into Effect May 1

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.