Night driving for ORVs reopens on Sept. 15, and more National Seashore updates for the week of September 13

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) announced several recent updates and news items related to recreational activities and seashore conditions on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

News items and events related to the National Seashore for the week of September 13 include the following:

Seashore Updates

• Night driving (24 hours a day) will be allowed at many designated off-road
  vehicle (ORV) ramps beginning the evening of Sept. 15. To find out which ramps no longer have night driving restrictions, and which ramps still have opening and closing times due to sea turtle nests, visit go.nps.gov/beachaccess on Sept. 15. To purchase a Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV permit, go to www.recreation.gov.
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore, in partnership with Outer Banks Forever and the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society, will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first lighting of the Bodie Island Lighthouse during a one-hour ceremony at 10 a.m. Oct. 1, 2022.
• The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association is coordinating a volunteer beach cleanup event from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Anyone interested in participating in the cleanup can pick up garbage bags at ocean side ORV ramps 2 through 55, and ramp 70. For more information, contact Tom Brueckner at tom.brueckner@ncbba.org.
• Updates to educational program schedules at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial, are listed in the events section below.
• Text OBXBeachConditions to 77295 to sign up for beach-related weather and ocean condition alerts. Learn about beach and ocean safety at www.lovethebeachrespecttheocean.com.

Upcoming Events

Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing

• Dates: Wednesdays-Saturdays through Oct. 8, 2022. First climb at 9 a.m. and final climb at 5:40 p.m.
• Details: Climbing tickets can only be purchased on the day of intended climb. Tickets are on sale Wednesday-Saturday starting at 7 a.m. Purchase tickets at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143.

Bodie Island Educational Programs

Lighting the Way for 150 years – Bodie Island Lighthouse

• Dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 6)
• Location: Meet on the back porch of the keeper’s quarters.
• Description: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.

Shaping These Barrier Islands

• Dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-3p.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 6)
• Location: Meet on the back porch of the keeper’s quarters.
• Description: Wars, hurricanes 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: Thursdays at 9 a.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 6)
• Description: Ever wanted to try your hand at catching blue crabs? We bring the gear, you bring the bait. Call 252-564-4068, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Hatteras Island Educational Programs

Lighting the Way for Over 150 years – Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

• Dates: Daily at 11 a.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 10)
• Location: Meet at Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Description: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and learn about current restoration efforts.

Shaping These Barrier Islands

• Dates: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 10)
• Location: Meet at Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Description: Wars, hurricanes 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.

Kayak with a Ranger

• Dates: Mondays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 7)
• Description: Join a ranger to explore the salt marshes and surrounding waters of the Pamlico Sound on this easy kayak paddle. Minimum age is seven-years-old. All equipment is provided. Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Totally turtles

• Dates: Mondays-Fridays at 12 p.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 7)
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Description: Learn about sea turtles through interactive games and activities for all ages.

Surf Fish with a Ranger

• Dates: Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 5)
• Description: Ever wanted to try your hand at surf fishing? We bring the poles, you bring the bait. Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

History at the Weather Station

• Dates: Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. (Sept. 8-Oct. 6)
• Location: Meet at the U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras
• Description: Come explore the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station and hear amazing stories that intertwine with our own lives and major historic events.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

• The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse is open for viewing daily from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. (Sept. 6-Sept. 30)
• The Ocracoke Island Discovery Center is open daily from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. (Sept. 6-Sept. 30)

Ocracoke Island Educational Programs

Lighting the Way for Nearly 200 years – Ocracoke Lighthouse

• Dates: Tuesdays-Thursdays at 11 a.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 6)
• Location: Meet on the grounds of the Ocracoke Lighthouse
• Description: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.

Shaping These Barrier Islands

• Dates: Tuesdays-Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 6)
• Location: Meet outside the Ocracoke Island Discovery Center
• Description: Wars, hurricanes 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.

Banker Ponies

• Dates: Mondays and Fridaysat 9:30 a.m. (Sept. 6-Oct. 7)
• Location: Meet outside of the pony pen
• Description: Come meet the ponies who once roamed as a wild herd and learn about their living history on Ocracoke Island.

Bird Walk

• Dates: Sept. 13 and Sept. 27 at 8:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet outside beach access parking lot adjacent to Ocracoke Campground
• Description: An introduction to the birds of Ocracoke. Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available.

Hammock Hills Nature Walk

• Dates: Sept. 6 and Sept. 20 at 8:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet at the Hammock Hills Nature Trail located across the street from the Ocracoke Campground.
• Description: Join a ranger and explore a diverse maritime forest ecosystem on Ocracoke Island.