Click for an updated version of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Off-Road Vehicle brochure that summarizes the current regulations and requirements. This brochure will be used until the National Park Service, working with partner organizations, can develop a new, full-color ORV driving brochure based on the current requirements, including those implemented as a result of the consent decree.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Off-Road Vehicle Brochure [pdf format]

NPS Memorial Day Weekend Summary Released May 28, 2008

Excerpts from NPS Announcement dated 5/28/08
OUTER BANKS, NC

Memorial Day Weekend 2008 marked the first major holiday weekend of implementation of the court-ordered consent decree to protect nesting birds and sea turtles at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The consent decree, in general, has thus far resulted in larger temporary resource protection closures being implemented during the shorebird and sea turtle breeding season than has occurred in the past, which has coincidently reduced the miles of beaches open to pedestrian and off-road vehicle (ORV) access as we head into the summer season.

National Park Service used aircraft and park rangers on the ground to monitor vehicle levels on Seashore beaches throughout the holiday weekend. At about 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, during an overflight NPS observed approximately 641 vehicles on the beaches north of Oregon Inlet; approximately 1,135 vehicles on the beaches of Hatteras Island; and approximately 292 vehicles on the beaches of Ocracoke Island. Only one area of beach became sufficiently crowded to trigger a temporary restriction on beach access. On Sunday afternoon, park rangers implemented a one-on, one-off restriction at Ramp 4 north of Oregon Inlet for about an hour when vehicle congestion reached the point that there was no longer room for additional vehicles to park on the beach while maintaining a safe width for two-way traffic. This occurred with approximately 700 vehicles on the beach. The level of congestion soon eased and unrestricted access to the open beach accessible from Ramp 4 was fully restored.

Overall, compliance by the majority of park visitors with park regulations and with measures implemented under the consent decree was very good. Park rangers dealt with the normal range of law enforcement incidents that occur on a busy holiday weekend, including a number of alcohol violations, unsafe operations, out of bounds camping and several driving under the influence arrests, but the total number of violation notices issued were less than in 2007.

“The beaches were busy, but not overwhelmingly crowded,” stated Superintendent Mike Murray. “We greatly appreciated the high level of compliance and cooperation from the vast majority of park visitors.”

Click to read complete National Park Service Announcement

National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2008
CONTACT: 252-473-2111 ext. 148

Outer Banks Traffic Cameras Effective Summer 2007

Staff Report
FACTS
OUTER BANKS, NC

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has activated its Traveler Management Information System in Currituck and Dare Counties. The system consists of 21 cameras placed along highway 158 and is supplemented by 2 more cameras placed on Hatteras Island by Dare County.

The two cameras on Hatteras Island are placed in Hatteras Village and in Rodanthe (Mirlo Beach) at the S-curves. Visitors may click on any camera in the system to receive instant images.

Traffic Cameras Dare and Currituck Counties maintained by NCDOT & Dare County NCDOT - Currituck County Traffic Cams NCDOT - Dare County Traffic Cams Dare County - Rodanthe - S-Curves Dare County - Hatteras Village Cameras may be out of service from time to time .. check back later if one fails to connect

The opening day of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will continue to be a fee-free day, as it has in the past, for local community members to climb the Lighthouse.

Climbing The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
What to Know Before You Go
The climb is strenuous! The 248 iron spiral stairs to the top is equal to climbing a 12 story building. The stairs have a handrail only on one side and a landing every 31 steps. There is no air conditioning. It may be noisy, humid, hot and dim inside the lighthouse and there is two-way traffic on the narrow stairs.

Visitors with heart, respiratory or other medical conditions or who have trouble climbing stairs should use their own discretion as to whether to climb the tower.

Climbing tickets are available on a first come/first served basis and can only be purchased in-person at the site on the day of the climb. There are no advance ticket sales.

Ticket sales begin at 8:15 a.m. Climbing tours will begin at 9 a.m. and will run every 10 minutes with a limit of 30 visitors per tour. Ticket sales close at 4:30 p.m. in the spring and fall, and at 5:30 p.m. the Friday of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Ticket holders should arrive at the lighthouse gate five minutes prior to their ticketed tour time.

The lighthouse may close at any time if weather conditions are unsafe.

The following safety rules apply:

Children must be at least 42” tall
Children must be capable of climbing all steps on their own
No person may be lifted or carried
Children under the age of 12 years old must be escorted by an adult.
Running, jumping, or stomping on stairs and landings is prohibited
Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew tobacco
No pets, other than service animals
Do not arrive in bare feet or heels over 1 ½ inches high
Backpacks, tripods, coolers, beach bags, umbrellas and other large, bulky objects need to be left in your car
Frisbees and other throwing equipment are prohibited

- NPS -

NC Coastal Recreational Fishing License Required on the Outer Banks Effective January 1, 2007

Staff Report
FACTS
OUTER BANKS, NC

North Carolina’s Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL), administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), is effective Jan. 1, 2007. This license can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis, or combined with a variety of licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) .

Requirements
This license allows recreational fishermen to harvest finfish for personal consumption; finfish harvested under this license cannot be sold. Fishermen using this license are held to the state’s recreational size and possession limits. This license cannot be assigned or transferred and is required for ANY type of recreational finfish harvest not included under the Recreational Commercial Gear License. Fishermen holding the CRFL are required to comply with all DMF sampling and survey programs.

The license is required to recreationally harvest finfish in the state’s Coastal Fishing Waters, which include sounds, coastal rivers and their tributaries, out to three miles in the ocean. Recreational anglers who catch fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone (3 miles – 200 miles offshore) will be required to have this license to land fish in state waters. Fishing in Joint Waters (areas managed by both the Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources commissions) will require either the CRFL or a WRC inland fishing license.

Exemptions
Individuals under16 years of age.
Individuals who purchase any of the following WRC licenses prior to Jan. 1, 2006:
· All categories of Lifetime Sportsman licenses;
· Lifetime Resident Comprehensive Fishing License;
· Lifetime Combination Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Resident Sportsman;
· Disabled Resident Sportsman;
· Lifetime Fishing License for the Legally Blind; and
· Adult Care Home Resident Fishing License.

Blanket Licenses
For-hire vessels and ocean fishing piers have the option to purchase a blanket license to cover their fishing patrons.

Waivers
A free license waiver will be available for subsistence anglers from their local Department of Social Services.

Sales Agents
The new license will be available from WRC license agents throughout the state and at any DMF office. The number of license agents will be increased in coastal areas.

Marine Resources Funds
Proceeds from the sale of this license will go into two marine resources funds managed by the state’s Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Resources commissions. Revenues must be used to manage, protect, restore, develop, cultivate, conserve and/or enhance North Carolina’s marine resources.

Frequently Asked Questions
Visit North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License FAQ

Article reprinted from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries, at http://www.ncfisheries.net/recreational/NCCRFL.htm on October 31, 2006

How Often Do You Visit the Outer Banks? What's Your Preferred Outer Banks Destination? How Far Do You Travel to Reach the Outer Banks? Where is Home? What is Your Favorite Recreational Activity? What is Your Favorite Educational Activity? What's Your Favorite Lighthouse? What Type of Accommodations Do You Prefer?