10 priority ORV ramps open at 6:30 a.m. starting Aug. 1, and more National Seashore updates for July

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) announced several recent updates related to recreational activities and events on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands in their most recent edition of the Cape Chronicle Newsletter.

News items and events related to the National Seashore for the week of July 25 include the following:

Seashore Updates

• Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s 10 priority off-road vehicle (ORV) ramps open at 6:30 a.m., starting Aug. 1. All other designated ocean-side ORV ramps open at 7 a.m. Priority ramps are ramps 2, 4, 25, 27, 43, 44, 48, 49, 70 and 72. While night driving restrictions are in place, all ORVs must be off ocean-side beaches by 9 p.m. Restrictions on driving after 9 p.m. will start to be lifted Sept. 15, if there are no sea turtle nests remaining along an ORV route. To check the status of ORV routes, visit go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore recently started a night sky educational program outside of the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Join the ranger program Wednesday nights at 9 p.m., through Aug. 30.
• The National Park Service is accepting bids on a contract to construct a paved multi-use pathway in Buxton. Interested businesses have until 4 p.m. Aug. 21 to submit bids via the SAM.gov website.
• Wright Brothers National Memorial will be free to enter on Aug. 4 and 19. Fee-free days are also scheduled on Sept. 23, Nov. 11 and Dec. 17.
• Text OBXBeachConditions to 77295 to sign up for beach-related weather and ocean condition alerts. Visitors can also view the daily rip current forecast at www.weather.gov/beach/mhx.

Upcoming Events

Bodie Island

Educational Programs

Lighting the Way for 150 Years – Bodie Island Lighthouse

• Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet on the back porch of the Keeper’s Quarters
• Details: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.

Shaping These Barrier Islands

• Dates: Daily from 2:30-3 p.m.
• Location: Meeting on the back porch of the Keeper’s Quarters
• Details: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.

Crabbing with a Ranger

• Dates: Tuesdays and Fridays from 9-10:30 a.m.
• Details: Ever wanted to try your hand at catching blue crabs? Rangers bring the gear, you bring the bait. Call 252-966-1761 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program. There is a six-minute walk to get from meeting location to the program location.

Bodie Island at Night

• Dates: Wednesdays from 9-9:45 p.m.
• Location: Meet in the Bodie Island Lighthouse parking lot.
• Details: Join park rangers under the night sky and the Bodie Island Lighthouse and discover what makes Cape Hatteras National Seashore such a special place. Bring bug spray.

Bodie Island Visitor Center

• The Bodie Island Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing

• Dates: Daily with first climb at 9 a.m. and final climb at 5:40 p.m.
• Details: Climbing tickets are available only on the day of intended climb. Buy tickets at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143 (tickets are available to purchase online beginning at 7 a.m. daily; tickets cannot be purchased in person).

Bodie Island Lighthouse Full Moon Climbs

• Dates: Full moons climbs are scheduled for July 3, Aug. 1, Aug. 30 and Sept. 29.
  • Aug. 1: Climbs at 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
  • Aug. 30: Climbs at 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 29: Climbs at 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Details: Full moon climb tickets go on sale at 7 a.m. the day of climb, only at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10253582. There are only eight people allowed per climb, so tickets sell out very quickly.

Hatteras Island

Educational Programs

Lighting the Way for Over 150 years

• Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Details: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and learn about restoration efforts.

Shaping These Barrier Islands

• Dates: Daily from 2:30-3 p.m.
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Details: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.

Totally Turtles

• Dates: Monday-Friday from 12-12:30 p.m.
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion.
• Details: Learn about sea turtles through interactive games and activities for all ages.

Kayak with a Ranger

• Dates: Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
• Details: Join a ranger to explore salt marshes and surrounding waters of the Pamlico Sound on this easy kayak program. Minimum age is 7. All equipment is provided. To register, you must call 252-513-2457 beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Hatteras Light at Night

• Dates: Tuesdays from 9-9:45 p.m.
• Location: Park in the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking lot.
• Details: Bring blankets and chairs for the evening of stars and stories on the grounds of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Surf Fish with a Ranger

• Dates: Wednesdays from 8:30-10 a.m.
• Details: Ever wanted to try your hand at surf fishing? Rangers bring the rods, you bring the bait. Call 252-513-2457 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Old Days at the Weather Station

• Dates: Every other Wednesday from 2:30-3 p.m.
• Location: Meet at the U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras Village.
• Details: Come explore the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station and hear amazing stories that intertwine with our own lives and major historic events.

Soundside Explorers

• Dates: Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m.
• Details: Join a ranger for this activity-based exploration of the Pamlico Sound. Registration is required. Call 252-513-2457 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Museum of the Sea

• The Museum of the Sea, located across from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

• The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is not open; however, the grounds outside the lighthouse are open 24/7.

Ocracoke Island

Educational Programs

Bird Walk

• Dates: Tuesdays from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet at the beach access parking lot adjacent to the Ocracoke Campground.
• Details: An introduction to the birds of Ocracoke. Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

• The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse is open for viewing daily from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Ocracoke Island Discovery Center

• The Ocracoke Island Discovery Center is open daily from 1:30-4:30 p.m.