ORV Ramp 32 reopens to the public, and other National Seashore updates for the week of May 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 May 13 include the following:

Seashore Updates

• The climbing season at Bodie Island Lighthouse began this morning. Tickets can only be purchased on the day of your intended climb at www.recreation.gov. Tickets go on sale daily at 7 a.m. Read more about climbing the lighthouse and updates on the Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke lighthouses.
• Yesterday, National Park Service South Atlantic-Gulf Regional Director Stan Austin and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Regional Director Leopoldo Miranda-Castro signed a Record of Decision for a Sediment Management Framework Environmental Impact Statement at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
• Seashore maintenance staff repaired and reopened off-road vehicle ramp 32 last week.
• Deadline to submit site preservation ideas for the Ocracoke Light Station is May 28. To learn more and submit ideas, view the civic engagement newsletter.
• For current beach access information, go to http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
• Before you visit the beach, go to www.weather.gov/beach/mhx to view the daily rip current risk level and beach conditions forecast. Visitors can sign up to receive Outer Banks beach safety text messages by texting “OBXBeachConditions” to 77295.

Upcoming Events

Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing

• Dates: Daily through Oct. 11. First climb at 9 a.m. and final climb at 5:30 p.m.
• Details: Climbing tickets can only be purchased on the day of intended climb. Tickets go on sale daily at 7 a.m. Purchase tickets at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143.

Bodie Island Interpretive Programs/Activities

Shaping these Barrier Islands

• Dates: Monday-Friday from 11-11:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet on back patio of the Double Keepers’ Quarters
• Description: 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.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse – Lighting the way for almost 150 years

• Dates: Monday-Friday from 2-2:30 p.m.
• Location: Meet on the back patio of the Double Keepers’ Quarters
• Description: A park ranger will discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.

Hatteras Island Interpretive Programs/Activities

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse – Lighting the way for over 150 years

• Dates: Monday-Sunday (Daily) from 11-11:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Description: A park ranger will discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and provide information about current restoration efforts.

Shaping these Barrier Islands

• Dates: Daily from 2-2:30 p.m.
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Description: 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.

Upcoming Virtual Events Hosted by Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

On January 30, 1975, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) designated the wreck of the famed Civil War ironclad USS Monitor as the nation’s first national marine sanctuary. The sanctuary is located 16 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras.

Conservation of USS Monitor – Past, Present and Future

• Date: May 18 from 1-2 p.m.
• Location: Free online webinar [registration link]
• Description: Will Hoffman, Director of Conservation and Chief Conservator at The Mariners’ Museum and Park, will present an overview of the USS Monitor conservation effort to date, including the establishment of the USS Monitor Center and Batten Conservation Complex. Commissioned as the first ironclad by the U.S. Navy in 1862, the USS Monitor fought in the Battle of Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862, and just nine months later, sank off Cape Hatteras.