Update Status of Visitor Services at Outer Banks Group National Parks

Cape Hatteras National Seashore continues to see moderate to significant due erosion and ocean overwash.  The National Weather Service predicts winds of 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph today.  Rough surf conditions and ocean overwash, especially during high tides, will continue through Monday.

For public safety and the welfare of park visitors and staff, all visitor services on Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which includes Hatteras and Ocracoke Island, will remain closed today. 

As of Sunday, October 4, Wright Brothers National Memorial, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site have returned to normal operating hours. 

As of Monday, October 5, the Bodie Island Lighthouse grounds and visitor center are open but Bodie Island Lighthouse remains closed to climbing.  Oregon Inlet Campground and Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and Marina remain closed.  The Bodie Island ORV permit office is anticipated to reopen after lunchtime today. 

The following Hatteras and Ocracoke Island visitor facilities and services remain impacted by storm conditions and will remain closed on Monday, October 05, 2015:

• All NPS campgrounds, Ocracoke, Frisco, and Cape Point remain closed until further notice.  The www.recreation.gov campground reservation system has been temporarily suspended.
• Ocracoke Island remains in a State of Emergency.  At the time of this press release (Monday at 11:00 a.m.), all ferry service has been suspended to the island.
• Silver Lake Marina on Ocracoke Island remains closed.
• NPS visitor centers at Ocracoke, Hatteras Island remain closed until further notice. 
• Cape Hatteras Lighthouses remains closed to climbing.  Lighthouse Road leading to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton Village is closed due to flooding.
• All NPS Off-Road Vehicles ramps in the Seashore remain closed until further notice.  Ramps have significant flooding and standing water making many areas impassable.  High tides and beach erosion has left very little beach available for beach driving.  ORV ramps and routes will be evaluated frequently and will open as soon as possible.
• The Ocracoke and Buxton Off-Road Vehicle Permit offices remain closed until further notice. 

The National Park Service continues to evaluate weather conditions and will be monitoring ongoing weather developments.  For more information, listen to NOAA weather radio and local radio and media for updates and advisories.  Travelers should check highway and road conditions on the NCDOT website at http://tims.ncdot.gov/tims and  www.ncdot.gov/ferry  or www.weather.gov/mhx .