Saturday, April 26, 2025

Fourth of July Week: Enjoying Your National Parks on the Outer Banks

Share post:

Designated as the United States’ first National Seashore, Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) includes 67 miles of ocean-facing beaches, sound-side recreational areas, three lighthouses, and three visitor centers.

Programs with a Park Ranger (Park Calendar)

Ocracoke Island

Hatteras Island

Bodie Island

Ocean Safety

If you are planning on entering the Atlantic Ocean during your visit to the Seashore, we highly recommend learning about ocean safety. Daily rip current forecasts are listed on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The safest places to swim are located at lifeguard beaches. There are three beach locations along the Seashore that are staffed with lifeguards from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The locations are:

Recreational Activities

The Seashore offers a variety of recreational activities, including beach recreation, off-road vehicle use, fishing, lighthouse climbing, camping, hiking, kayaking, watersports, and wildlife viewing.

Fireworks

Celebrate our freedom by viewing firework shows on Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site preserves and interprets the site of the first English Colony in the New World, is the site of the theatrical production, The Lost Colony, and interprets historical events of the Native Americans, European Americans, and African Americans who lived on Roanoke Island.

Programs with a Park Ranger (Park Calendar)

For full park details, go to www.nps.gov/fora.

Wright Brothers National Memorial commemorates the first successful power driven airplane flight, which was made by Wilbur and Orville Wright on December 17, 1903.

Programs with a Park Ranger (Park Calendar)

For full park details, go to www.nps.gov/wrbr.

Social Media

Consider following and tagging your favorite Outer Banks national park site on social media while visiting this summer.

-Cape Hatteras National Seashore – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

-Fort Raleigh National Historic Site – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Trending

Subscribe

Help Support Local News! Subscribe for Free, Upgrade to Premium, or Make a Contribution.

Related articles

Outer Banks Forever offers ways to give back during National Park Week

April 19-April 27 is earmarked as National Park Week, and Outer Banks Forever – the official nonprofit partner...

Project begins to replace Avon’s 22 public beach boardwalks

The Avon Property Owners Association (APOA) has launched a massive project to replace all 22 beach boardwalks in...

Bodie Island Lighthouse opens for daily climbing on April 18

The Bodie Island Lighthouse will be open for daily climbing from Friday, April 18 through Oct. 13, 2025. Climbing...

Seasonal ORV routes in front of villages close on April 15

Seasonal off-road vehicle (ORV) routes in front of Hatteras Island's villages and the Ocracoke Campground become pedestrian-only starting...