Cape Hatteras National Seashore
4.9(473)google
4.4(35)yelp
BeachBirdsCampingSwimmingFishingWildlife WatchingScenic LookoutFamilyOutdoorOcean ViewFreeMust-See
Overview
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a United States national seashore which preserves the portion of the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island, stretching over 70 miles (110 km), and is managed by the National Park Service. Included within this section of barrier islands along N.C. 12, but outside the national seashore boundaries, are Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and several communities, such as Rodanthe, Buxton, and Ocracoke. Cape Hatteras is a combination of natural and cultural resources and provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-3 days
Best TimeFabulous between 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM from May to October. As the afternoon sun softens, air-down your four-wheel-drive vehicle and drive directly onto the wild, undeveloped beaches (NPS ORV permit required) to fish and watch the sunset melt over Pamlico Sound.
Getting ThereA protected 70-mile natural coast stretching south of Nags Head. No mass transit options exist; drive south along NC Highway 12 (NC-12 S) over the monumental Basnight Bridge straight onto Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Island. Free NPS beach access parking lots line the road.
Travel Tips
- Driving vehicles onto 4x4 designated beaches requires a pre-purchased ORV permit from Recreation.gov; park rangers fine anyone driving without an onboard tire gauge, shovel, and recovery boards.
- Lethal rip currents dominate these barrier island shores; never swim in unpatrolled wilderness zones. If caught in a rip, do not swim shoreward against the current; swim parallel to the beach to break free.
- From May to October, critical stretches of beach undergo mandatory resource closures for nesting sea turtles and shorebirds; crossing these perimeter stakes carries severe federal wildlife fines.
Reviews
Positive
- Hundreds of miles of wild coastline preserve a raw, untouched character; massive waves crashing on empty shores deliver immense visual power.
- Managed by the NPS, it is free to access; with a cheap permit, you can drive a 4x4 directly onto the sand, which is an amazing experience.
- The roadside campgrounds are well-organized; public restrooms and outdoor showers are basic but kept exceptionally clean and managed well.
- Free from urban light pollution, it is a premier East Coast stargazing haven where nights are silent save for the rolling ocean surf.
Heads up
- Because it embraces raw nature, there are virtually no lifeguards on duty, and the fierce rip currents make swimming highly risky.
- Shaded rest areas and convenience facilities are rare; on roasting afternoons, you risk heat exhaustion without your own gear and water.
- Certain ORV ramps close without warning to protect nesting sea birds or turtles, causing disappointment for off-road enthusiasts.
- Due to the lack of commercial zoning, buying snacks, bug spray, or gear requires a long drive to a town hub, making supplies hard to get.