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| Off-Road Vehicles | |
| Pets On The Beach | |
| Beach Bonfires | |
| National Park Service Campgrounds |
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The Outer Banks with it's spectacular natural beauty and unique environment offers visitors opportunities to enjoy pleasures that are far from commonplace. Not all the places to visit are on well-paved roads. Here, you can drive your off-road vehicle along the many miles of accessible beach as you search for that perfect fishing spot or explore our pristine beaches, as the waves lap at your tires. you can sit around a bonfire and share ghost stories with the backdrop of the ocean waves rolling onto the shore. Or, you can feed the seagulls from the back of a ferry. All this can be enjoyed, but there are a few regulations that must be followed.
Driving an off-road vehicle (ORV) on the beach can be fun and adventurous, but where beach driving is permitted, there are general rules to follow:
**NEW** - Nighttime ORV use is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. from May 1 - September 15 and from September 16 to November 15 a permit is required for night driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a. m. to protect nesting sea turtles. November 16 to April 30 night driving is allowed. All vehicles must be removed from the beach by 10 p.m. and may not enter the beach until 6 a.m. See below for Cape Hatteras ORV Brochure describing rules and regulations. Drive only on marked ORV routes and comply with posted restrictions. Do not drive on or between the dunes unless marked as an ORV route. Driving or parking on vegetation is prohibited. The standard speed limit is 25 mph; enter and leave the beach only at designated, open ramps; drive only on that portion of the beach which lies between the foot of the dunes and the ocean; proceed with caution and consideration for other beach users; open containers of alcohol are prohibited in vehicles; your vehicle must have a state road registration and valid license plate; the operator must have a current driver's license. Regulations as they pertain to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, each individual town and Currituck County.
Whether you're playing catch, swimming in the ocean, running along the shore or simply enjoying their company, the beach can be fun and rewarding for both pets and their owners. The towns and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore each have their own restrictions pertaining to pets on the beach. Corolla Dogs are allowed on the beach with a year round leash law. Your pet must be on a leash at all times. Pet owners/handlers are responsible for removal of pet waste. Duck Dogs are allowed are the beaches year round. Dogs may run freely on the beaches, while under the control of the owner. They must be leashed, with a leash not exceeding 10 ft. while in the town limits. Southern Shores Dogs must be leashed at all times when off the owner’s property. No animals are allowed on the beach May 15th to September 15th. From September 16th until May 15th dogs must be on a leash and cleaned up after on the beach. Kitty Hawk
Dogs are permitted on public beaches. The owner/handler is responsible for and must remove all feces and possess a bag/container for waste removal at all times. From the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm dogs must be on a leash not exceeding 6 feet. At all other times during the year, dogs must be restrained on a leash retractable to 12 feet. Dogs must be taken off the leash only if they will not disturb other people on the beach. Unleashed dogs must be controlled by the handler, who must remain within 30 feet of the dog at all times. A leash must be with owner/handler at all times. Kill Devil Hills Between May 15 and September 15 no dogs shall be permitted on the public beach between the hours of 9:00 am and 6:00 pm., unless being used to aid a handicapped person. At all other times, no dogs shall be permitted on the public beaches except upon a leash and under the control of the owner or handler. Pet owners must remove all pet waste and dispose of properly. Nags Head Dogs are allowed on the beach year round with a leash. Pet owners/handlers are responsible for removal of pet waste and are to maintain control of their pets at all times. Pet waste is not to be buried in the sand or put in the ocean. Horses are allowed on the beach from October 1st through April 30th. Currituck County Dogs are not allowed to run at large in subdivisions. Pets are allowed on Currituck County beaches, but must be under the owner's control, either by leash or voice command. Ocracoke Island Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round if they are restrained on a 6 ft. leash. Pets are prohibited on designated swimming beaches. Guide dogs for the visually impaired are permitted to remain with their owners at all times.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
 Beach BonfiresSitting around a bonfire on the beach can be romantic and relaxing and it's certainly not something you get to do everyday. Although not allowed on the beaches in Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills, bonfires are allowed with regulations, on the beaches in Nags Head and along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The regulations are as follows: Nags Head Permits are required and are obtained from the Nags Head Fire Department located at 5314 South Croatan Highway after 5:00 pm on the specific day the fire is requested. Fires will not be permitted if winds are 10 knots or more. A picture ID, the address of applicant, and the location for the requested fire are required.Fires cannot be built within 50 feet of any combustible material, including buildings, beach grass, sea oats and driftwood. In addition, the hollowed-out pit must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and not less than 1 foot in depth. The fire must be attended by a competent adult and must be extinguished prior to leaving the site. Currituck County Beach fires are illegal on the Currituck Outer Banks. Also, glass is NOT permitted on the beach. Cape Hatteras National Seashore Ground fires are permitted on the beach below the high tide line and a permit is not required. And, as above, the fire must be attended by an adult and be completely extinguished before leaving the site of the bonfire.
 National Park Service Campgrounds
National Park Service News Release Opening Date Changed to the First Friday in April Cape Hatteras National Seashore has four campgrounds. All campgrounds accommodate tents, trailers, and motor homes no longer than 35 feet. Each campground provides rest rooms, potable water, unheated showers, grills, and picnic tables, but no utility connections are available. Camping fees for Oregon Inlet, Frisco and Cape Point are $20 per night and the camping fee at Ocracoke Campground is $23 per night. Holders of the Golden Age or Golden Access passes, or the new Interagency Senior or Access passes, will receive a 50% discount on their camp sites. Group camping is available at Oregon Inlet Campground. Fees for group camping is $4.00 per person per night (for groups of 7 - 30 people) including infants and toddlers. The group camping reservations number is 252-441-0882 and reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Ocracoke is the only National Park Service campground on the Outer Banks where visitors can make advanced reservations. National Park Service Contractor, Reserve America, will be operating this service. Reservations for Ocracoke can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on the Internet at www.recreation.gov. Campsites at Oregon Inlet, Frisco and Cape Point Campgrounds are assigned on a first come first served basis. No more than 6 persons and two vehicles may occupy a single campsite. Pop-up campers are considered vehicles. Parking space for extra vehicles is very limited, so please make arrangements to park your extra vehicle outside the park or rent an additional campsite. Camp sites may be occupied for no more than 14 consecutive days. Generators may not be operated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Camping in Cape Hatteras National Seashore is permitted only in designated campgrounds. For more information, call (252) 473-2111 or write to: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Rt. 1, Box 675, Manteo, NC 27954.
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