National Seashore Announces Activities and Events for 4th of July Week

National Park Service staff at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) look forward to greeting Outer Banks visitors over the Independence Day holiday next week.

The national park site on the Outer Banks conducts many free programs with park rangers. Below is a helpful listing of programs being offered starting this Saturday (6/29) through next Saturday (7/6). Not visiting next week? Many of the programs occur weekly through the rest of the summer.

Programs with a Park Ranger and Special Events:

Hatteras Island

• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Climbing: Daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move (Ranger Program): Daily from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. Learn about the monumental move event that happened here in 1999 when the entire light station was moved 2,900 feet away from the threat of a changing shoreline. Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center.

• Shaping this Barrier Island (Ranger Program): Daily from 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Wars, wind, hurricanes, and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join a us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to the island. Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center.

• 20th Anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move Celebration (Special Event): July 1, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, the public is invited to a free event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move. The event will include speeches, a question and answer session, expanded interpretive programming, activities for children, and free lighthouse climbing!

• Fish with a Ranger (Ranger Program in Buxton): July 1 from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. Park rangers bring the poles, you bring the bait. Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning June 29.

• Fish with a Ranger (Ranger Program in Rodanthe): July 2 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am. Park rangers bring the poles, you bring the bait. Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning June 29.

• Especially for Kids (Ranger Program): July 2 and July 5 from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm. Hands-on games or activities for kids and families all about seashore animals. Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center.

• Dark Skies Over Hatteras (Ranger Program): July 2 from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stars and stories on the beach. Meet at the Ramp 43 parking area.

• Castnetting (Ranger Program): July 3 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Practice this early method of fishing still used today. Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning June 29.

• Morning Bird Walk (Ranger Program): July 4 from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available. Bring bug spray. Meet at the fish cleaning tables near Ramp 44 in Buxton.

• Fireworks Over Hatteras (Special Event): July 4 at 9:15 pm. Watch fireworks from the beach near the Avon Fishing Pier (41001 NC-12, Avon). Rain date is July 5.

• Salvo Soundside Activities for Kids (Ranger Program): July 5 from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Meet at the Salvo Sound Access for soundside exploration and discovery.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse started its 2,900 foot journey on June 17, 1999. A special 20th anniversary event will occur at the lighthouse on July 1st.

Ocracoke Island

• Pirates! (Ranger Program): July 1 from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm and July 3 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Yes, they were here. Learn about Blackbeard and others. Meet at the Ocracoke Visitor Center.

• Barrier Island Nature (Ranger Program): July 1 from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm and July 4 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Join a park ranger for a talk about the wild side of the park. Meet at the Ocracoke Visitor Center.

• Ocracoke After Dark (Ranger Program): July 1 from 8:45 pm to 9:45 pm. Bring blankets and chairs for stargazing on the beach. Bring bug spray. Meet at the Ocracoke Beach Access.

• All About Turtles (Ranger Program): July 2-3 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am and July 5 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Activities for all ages! Meet at the Ocracoke Visitor Center.

• Ocracoke Lighthouse Viewing: July 2-3 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm and July 4 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.

• Ocracoke History (Ranger Program): July 2 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm and July 4 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. Learn about the island’s rich past. Meet at the Ocracoke Visitor Center.

• Banker Ponies (Ranger Program): July 3-4 from 9:00-9:30 am. Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke. Bring bug spray. Meet at Ocracoke Pony Pen.

• Fireworks Over Ocracoke (Special Event): July 3 at 9:15 pm. Celebrate our freedom by watching fireworks at the NPS docks and around Silver Lake Harbor.

• Meet “Captain” (Special Event): July 4 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Meet Captain, the newest stallion, at the Ocracoke Pony Pen.

• Birds and Beaches of Ocracoke (Ranger Program): July 5 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am. Join a ranger for an island exploration. Fun for all ages. Bring bug spray. Meet at the public parking lot adjacent to the Ocracoke Campground.

• Community Beach Fire (Special Event): July 5 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Meet at the Ocracoke Beach Access

Bodie Island

• Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing: Daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Ocean Safety

The Atlantic Ocean, located off the eastern side of the Seashore, produces a number of safety challenges for under prepared visitors every year. Stay safe in the ocean by visiting the Seashore’s trip planning web page at: https://www.nps.gov/caha/learn/news/19_021.htm.

Lifeguarded beaches are by far the safest places to swim at the Seashore. There are four beach locations that are staffed with lifeguards from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (9am-5pm). The locations of the four lifeguarded beaches are:

• Coquina Beach Access (Bodie Island)

  • Located across from the Bodie Island Lighthouse site

• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access (Hatteras Island)

  • Adjacent to the Old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse site

• NEW for 2019! Frisco Beach Access (Hatteras Island)

  • Located just south of Frisco Village

• Ocracoke Beach Access (Ocracoke Island)

  • 1 ½ miles south of the Seashore campground or ½ mile north of Ocracoke Village

Recreational Activities

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

Visit http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess for current beach access information.

Visitor Safety

• Over the last few years, homeowners adjacent to Seashore beaches have voiced concerns about the personal use of fireworks by beach visitors. As a reminder, it is illegal to detonate fireworks, or have fireworks in your possession, at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. If you would like to watch legally permitted fireworks, visit the Ocracoke Beach Access on the evening of July 3 or the Avon Fishing Pier on the evening of July 4.

• Seashore law enforcement staff will conduct random vehicle seatbelt checks on park roads next week. Stay safe and be legal by wearing your seatbelt. Always have a designated driver.

• Items left overnight on the beach are considered abandoned and are subject to removal.

• Planning ahead and staying informed can often help ensure a fun and safe trip for all. Visit http://go.nps.gov/cahasafety for more safety information.

Passenger Ferry

On May 20, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ocracoke Express passenger ferry service began shuttling visitors between Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. The new service has become very popular! Book your ferry trip at: https://ferry.ncdot.gov.

Ocracoke Express departing the Hatteras Ferry Terminal. NCDOT photo.

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