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Cape Hatteras National Seashore is open year-round, although facilities and programs do change throughout the year. Please check the following list for times certain facilities and tours are available, and check the Calendar for a listing of current ranger program offerings.
The National Park Service offers four developed campgrounds throughout Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Each campground is unique and offer great opportunities to explore the seashore. Campgrounds are available on Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke Islands. |
| Facility | Hours and Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bodie Island Visitor Center The Bodie Island Double Keepers' Quarters (Visitor Center and Park Store) is closed indefinitely due to internal damage from a January 2025 fire. |
Mid April - September | CLOSED (see note in red) ORV permits must be purchased at www.recreation.gov. |
| October - Mid April | CLOSED (see note in red) |
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| Christmas Day | Closed | |
| Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing | April 18- October 13, 2025 | See page. Daily |
| Rest of the year | no climbs |
| Whalebone Junction Information Center |
March 1st - December 31st -- 8:30am - 5:00pm
January 1st - February 28th -- Open Friday and Saturday 8:30am - 5:00pm |
Hatteras Island
| Facility | Hours and Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Museum of the Sea (Visitor Center) | Mid April - September | 9:00 am - 5:30 pm |
| October - Mid April | Open Intermittently | |
| Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Climbing | CLOSED (See page) | |
| Lighthouse climbing opportunities will likely not be possible until the summer of 2026, or later, due to major restoration project. |
Grounds open year round | Limited Access due to Lighthouse Restoration |
| Hatteras Island Weather Bureau Station | Open Daily 9:00am - 4:00pm | |
| Closed December 1st - February 28th | ||
Ocracoke Island
| Facility | Hours and Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ocracoke Island Discovery Center | Mid-April - October |
9:00 am - 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm M-TH. 1:00pm - 5:00pm Fri. Intermittent Hours on Sat. and Sun. ORV permits must be purchased at www.recreation.gov. |
| Rest of the year | Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am-1pm | |
| Ocracoke Lighthouse Base | Mid-April - October | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm - 4:00pm M-TH 10:00am-12:00pm Fri. Intermittent Hours on Sat. and Sun. |
| Rest of the year | Closed |
Off-Road Vehicle Ramps
Cape Hatteras National Seashore offers beach driving opportunities, through an off-road vehicle (ORV) permit, along portions of its ocean and sound-facing beaches. Visit the ORV frequently asked questions webpage for more information on beach driving.ORV Ramp Hours of Operation
January 1-April 30
All ORV ramps open 24 hours a day.
NOTE: ORV ramps 23, 34, and 68 are seasonally open from October 15-April 14.
May 1-July 31
Priority ORV ramps (see list below) open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Non-priority ORV ramps (see list below) open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
All sound-side ORV ramps open 24 hours a day.
August 1-September 30
Priority ORV ramps open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Non-priority ORV ramps open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
All sound-side ORV ramps open 24 hours a day.
October 1-November 15*
All priority and non-priority ORV ramps open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
All sound-side ORV ramps open 24 hours a day.
November 16-December 31
All ORV ramps open 24 hours a day.
Priority ORV Ramp: 2, 4, 25, 27, 43, 44, 48, 49, 70, and 72
Non-Priority ORV Ramps**: 30, 32, 38, 55, 59, 63, and 67
Sound-side ORV Ramps: 46, 48, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58, 59, 60, Prong Road, Borrow Pit Road, and Scrag Cedars Road
Areas or routes may be subject to temporary use restrictions for the purposes of visitor safety or resource protection.
*Transition to 24 hours a day driving begins every September 15, depending on the status of sea turtle nests along ORV routes.
**Seasonal ORV ramps are not included in listing of non-priority ramps.
Last updated: April 14, 2025