Cape Chronicle
September 15, 2021 | Issue 85
Photos of the Week
Bottlenose dolphin breaches off Ocracoke Island.
Aerial view looking toward Cape Point.
Seashore Updates
  • Night driving (24 hours a day) will be allowed at many designated off-road vehicle (ORV) ramps beginning this evening. To find out which ramps no longer have night driving restrictions, and which ramps still have opening and closing times due to sea turtle nests, visit http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess. To purchase a Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV permit, go to www.recreation.gov.
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore hosted 427,384 visits in August 2021, making it the busiest August since 2002. This year continues to be the busiest start to any year on record at America's first national seashore.
  • A project to increase parking capacity and renovate restroom and shower facilities at Frisco Beach Access begins today. [News Release]
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore will host drop-in volunteer beach cleanup efforts at Coquina Beach Access and Ocracoke Beach Access this Saturday from 7:30-11 a.m. [News Release]
  • An ORV caught on fire near Ramp 38 last Friday morning. Beach drivers are strongly urged to lower vehicle tire pressure to at least 20 psi before entering designated ORV ramps. [News Release]
  • Before you visit the beach, go to www.weather.gov/beach/mhx to view the daily rip current risk level and beach conditions forecast. Visitors can sign up to receive Outer Banks beach safety text messages by texting "OBXBeachConditions" to 77295.
Seashore Programs & Activities

Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing
  • Dates: Monday-Sunday (Daily) through Oct. 11. First climb at 9 a.m. and final climb at 5:30 p.m.
  • Details: Climbing tickets can only be purchased the day of intended climb and are only available for purchase online at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143. Tickets go on sale daily at 7 a.m.

Bodie Island Educational Programs/Activities (Sept. 7-Oct. 11, 2021)
The Bodie Island Lighthouse - Lighting the way for almost 150 years
  • Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Meet on the back patio of the Double Keepers' Quarters
  • Description: A park ranger will discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.

Shaping these Barrier Islands
  • Dates: Daily from 2-2:30 p.m.
  • Location: Meet on back patio of the Double Keepers' Quarters
  • Description: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to this islands.

Hatteras Island Educational Programs/Activities (Sept. 7-Oct. 11, 2021)
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse - Lighting the way for over 150 years
  • Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
  • Description: A park ranger will discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and provide information about current restoration efforts.

Shaping these Barrier Islands
  • Dates: Daily from 2:30-3 p.m.
  • Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
  • Description: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.

Especially for Kids
  • Dates: Every Monday-Friday from 12-12:30 p.m.
  • Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
  • Description: Learn about seashore animals through hands-on games and activities for kids and families.

Surf Fish with a Ranger
  • Dates: Every Tuesday from 8:30-10 a.m.
  • Description: Ever wanted to try your hand at surf fishing? We bring the poles, you bring the bait. Registration is required. Visit the Hatteras Island Visitor Center to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Dark Skies Over Hatteras
  • Dates: Every Thursday from 9-10 p.m.
  • Location: Meet at off-road vehicle ramp 43
  • Description: Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stars and stories on the beach.

Ocracoke Island Educational Programs/Activities (Sept. 7-Oct. 11, 2021)
Ocracoke Island Discovery Center
  • Dates: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.

View Inside Base of Ocracoke Lighthouse
  • Dates: Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday-Monday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Stories of Ocracoke Island
  • Dates: Monday-Friday from 11-11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Meet outside visitor center
  • Description: Learn about the location and legacy of Ocracoke Island. From serving as an early port village and primary point of entry to North Carolina to Blackbeard's final battle, Ocracoke Island possesses a unique heritage resulting from its continued remote setting.

Shaping these Barrier Islands
  • Dates: Monday-Friday from 2-2:30 p.m.
  • Location: Meet outside visitor center
  • Description: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.

Fort Raleigh NHS & Wright Brothers NMEM Programs & Activities

Fort Raleigh NHS Educational Programs/Activities (Sept. 7-Oct. 8, 2021)
The Lost Colony - Walking Tour
  • Dates: Daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (30 minute program)
  • Location: Meet outside Lindsay Warren Visitor Center
  • Description: Delve into the history and mystery surrounding England's first attempt to establish a colony in the new world.

Wright Brothers NMEM Educational Programs/Activities (Sept. 7-Oct. 11, 2021)
Wind and Sand
  • Dates: Daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (30 minute program)
  • Location: Meet on the back patio of the visitor center
  • Description: Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the Wright brothers' first powered flights.

The Wright Legacy
  • Dates: Daily at 12 p.m. (30 minute program)
  • Location: Meet at the white tent south of the pavilion restrooms
  • Description: Twelve seconds was all the Wright brothers needed on December 17, 1903 to show the world humans can fly. Those twelve seconds were just the start of aviation history and the Wright legacy. Explore the rest of the Wright story as you discover the impact that Wilbur and Orville had on history, the legacy they left behind and how they are remembered in the world today.

Bicycle Program
  • Dates: Every Monday at 9:30 a.m. (45 minute program)
  • Location: Meet at the bicycle rack next to the visitor center
  • Description: Let's go for a ride like the Wright brothers! Wilbur and Orville's bicycle business provided knowledge and funding for their aviation experiments. Bring your bike and helmet and take a trip back in time on this special program to discover what this place looked like when Wilbur and Orville were experimenting with the idea of flight. This easy, ranger-led bike ride will take you along park roads and explore the reasons why the Wright brothers chose this location, their experiments in flight and the building of the monument and visitor center. Maximum group size: 15 people, first come, first served.

Check out the park calendar on the NPS mobile app for updates.

Inclement weather may impact educational programming.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore's Cape Chronicle e-Newsletter provides brief, timely and newsworthy content throughout the year. For more information about America's first national seashore, visit www.nps.gov/caha.

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.