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Home , Cape Hatteras

U.S. Department of the Interior

Helpful Information from Hatteras National Seashore

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA National Park Service EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA Where Can We Camp? Gtretcheci oyer 70 rniiee of barrier lelaride. Camping on the National Seashore is permitted only in designated campgrounds at , Cape Point, Cape Hatteraa National 3eaahore0 Frisco and Ocracoke. Availability is on a first-come, first- served basis except at Ocracoke, where you may make a unit of the National Park System, is a fascinating reservations by calling 800.365.2267. Camping on the combination of natural and cultural resources beach overnight, whether in a tent or in your vehicle, is not providing many recreational opportunities. Once permitted. dubbed the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" for its treacherous currents, shoals and storms, Cape How About a Beach Campfire? Hatteras offers a wealth of history relating to Fires are permitted on the park's beaches, and you do shipwrecks, lighthouses and the U.S. Lifesaving not need a permit. The fires must, however, be at least 100 Service. These dynamic islands also provide a feet from any grasses or dunes and below the high tide variety of habitats and are a valuable wintering line. Please keep the fires small. Boards containing nails area for migrating waterfowl, thus creating excel­ and other debris should not be used in the fire since they lent birding opportunities. The park's fishing and create a hazard to bare feet. When putting the fires out, Park volunteers teach young anglers surf fishing. please use water. Burying the embers with sand allows the surfing are considered the best on the East Coast. A view of the Ocracoke Lighthouse from across fire to smoulder, making the sand covering the fire very hot Silver Lake, the harbor in Ocracoke Village. — an obvious safety problem.

Am I Allowed to Can I Fish At the Seashore? May I Hunt For Hidden Treasure What About Launching Drive On the Beach? In a word, yes. But be aware that fishing within Cape My Personal Watercraft? Hatteras National Seashore is regulated by state law. With My Metal Detector? Many miles of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore The trailering, launching or landing of personal Regulations regarding size limits, numbers of fish per day, No. Because of the vast wealth of historic artifacts are open to beach driving. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is a watercraft of any kind is not allowed within the bound­ seasons and licensing requirements are set by the North within National Parks, metal detectors are prohibited in all must, due to the soft sand. aries of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, which may be areas, including beaches and campgrounds. In fact, all Other important information: contacted at 800.682.2632. Limit sheets are available items found on the beach, with the exception of shells and * Your vehicle, including ATVs and dirt bikes, must through the Marine Fisheries or at all tackle drift wood, are protected by law and may not be removed be street legal to operate within the park. What If My Pet Comes shops. from the beach. Please do not disturb any shipwrecks that * The driver must possess a valid driver's license. may wash up or be uncovered by the ocean. On Vacation Too? * All regulations that apply on the streets and Your pets are welcome at Cape Hatteras National highways of the state also apply on the beach. Is It Okay to Have Seashore. Do keep them leashed and under your control * The maximum speed limit is 25 m.p.h. What if I Find Shipwrecks or a Beer On the Beach? at all times. Pets are not allowed on designated swim * Driving and parking on the dunes and/or vegeta­ Some alcoholic beverages are permitted in the Other Treasures on the Beach? beaches or in buildings. Please, for your pet's sake, do not tion is strictly prohibited. You should access the beach Seashore, but consider the following: All items found on the beach, with the exception of leave them unattended. And, for other visitors' sake, only by designated ramps. * The laws of do not permit spirituous shells and driftwood, are protected under the law and may clean up after your pet. * Please observe all signs, and do not drive in areas liquors — distilled liquors, whiskey, vodka, etc. — or not be removed from the beach. Please do not disturb any where you see a "No Vehicles" sign posted. These areas fortified wines to be consumed in public. Ask where you shipwrecks that may wash up or be uncovered by the are closed to protect natural resources such as turtle and And If My Pet buy your wine if you are unsure what's fortified and what's ocean. bird nests, developing dunes and vegetation. not. Is a Horse?... * Beach areas in front of the villages of Rodanthe, * The legal drinking age in North Carolina is 21. Horses may be ridden anywhere vehicles are permit­ Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras, are closed to vehicles * Open containers of alcohol are not permitted within May We Shoot Off Fireworks? ted to drive. Please clean up after your horse. from May through September to ensure the safety of the any motor vehicle, including vehicles on the beach. No. Fireworks are not allowed in any National Park beach goers in these heavy use areas. Please be sure to put all your cans and bottles in the Service area.This includes the beaches in front of the trash so you're not creating a hazard. villages. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior \\/e want your visit to the Seashore to be safe and • ^enjoyable. By following these guidelines, we can all protect and maintain this spectacular area. Helpful What Vegetation and Creatures Are Here? Information Sea Turtles Birds The Seashore is a sanctuary for a wide variety of from Sea turtles are one of the most amazing, yet birds. Nesting areas for terns, Piping Plovers, American fragile, creatures we have the opportunity to coexist Oystercatchers and Black Skimmers will be clearly marked with here at the Park, and this is one of the areas Cape Hatteras by signs and string, and access is restricted to researchers where they nest. On warm summer nights, if you're during the nesting season. The hatchlings are very lucky, you might see them pull themselves out of the vulnerable to predators, and any disturbance to them National Seashore surf to crawl up onto the beach to lay eggs. during this fragile time could cause them to die. So please Remember that these turtles are a protected respect and protect these very special areas. Bird check species, so do not disturb them in any way. Watch lists are available at Park Visitor Centers. from a distance. Lights disorient hatchlings and scare off nesting females. Turn off all The staff at Cape Hatteras lights on the beach, especially beach Vegetation National Seashore hopes you have cottage lights. All vegetation in the Seashore is protected. The a safe and enjoyable stay. You can be a protector of this Seashore is home to over 30 rare, endangered or threat­ endangered species by ened plant species. Please do not pick up or pull up any making sure all items plants. Vegetation plays a key role in stabilizing the dunes Cape Hatteras National Seashore that might entangle and the barrier islands so we all can enjoy this national 1401 National Park Drive them or treasure. harm Manteo, NC 27954 them in 252.473.2111 any way What About www.nps.gov/caha Handicapped Beach Access? volley­ Handicapped beach access permits are available ball from Cape Hatteras National Seashore Headquarters by Our thanks to Eastern National nets, sun shelters, lawn chairs, trash calling 252.473.2111. for funding this brochure. — are taken off the beach at night. Beach-capable wheelchairs are available on a first- Your help in this area might make come, first-served basis at the Park Visitor Centers. the difference between a turtle living or dying. If you see a turtle nesting, please What About Group contact the Cape Hatteras National Events at the Seashore. Seashore at 252.473.2111. If your call is before or after business hours, leave a Anything We Should Know? message letting us know the area Groups are welcome at the Seashore! If you have where you found the nest. And remember that all more than 25 people in your group and plan to gather parts of turtles, both living and dead, are protected within the Park, you will need to obtain a special use Serving America's National Parks EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA by the Endangered Species Act and may not be permit. For more information on obtaining a permit, and Other Public Trusts disturbed or removed from the beach. please call the Park staff at 252.473.2111