Cape Point in Buxton is temporarily closed to off-road vehicles (ORVs) and pedestrians as of Tuesday morning, June 3, due to multiple American oystercatcher chicks and least tern nests in the area, per an update from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Approximately 0.15 miles of the Cape Point area is now closed to protect 2-3 American Oystercatcher chicks that are two days old, and more than 80 least tern nests that are expected to hatch over the next few days.
The Bypass Road remains open for walking to the approximately 1.03-mile and pedestrian-only beach on the south-facing shoreline, just west of the road.
Those who want to walk on the Bypass Road should park across from the entrance to Ramp 44. Access to the beaches west of Cape Point can also be achieved by walking from the parking area at the end of South Beach Road, also known as Old Ramp 45.
Ramp 43 is still open for ORV access.
The closure area may change depending on the movement of the chicks, and approximately 90% of the ORV routes on Hatteras, Ocracoke, and Bodie Islands are open to off-road vehicle use.
For updates on current closures and beach access, visit the Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s website at https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.
