National seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a national seashore run by the National Park Service in Dare County, North Carolina. There is no entrance fee. It is open 24 hours a day, year-round.

Current notices posted by the managing agency. Checked Oct. 5, 2026.

Closure: Closure of Billy Mitchell Airport for Repaving Project The Billy Mitchell Airport (HSE) is closed to accommodate a runway pavement rehabilitation project. The project will provide full resurfacing of paved areas, new reflective paint, and new tie-downs and anchors, improving visitor safety and enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Closure: Project Safety Closure in Place Near Southernmost Groin in Buxton Public access is closed for 300 feet north and south of a groin repair project site in Buxton, as well as the adjacent ocean area to the east. Surfers, swimmers, and all other recreationists should stay at least 300 feet from the southernmost groin area for safety purposes.
Closure: Partial Beach Closures in Place in Front of Buxton Village The beachfront in front of Buxton Village is temporarily closed due to the presence of threatened oceanfront structures and Dare County's beach nourishment project. Renourished sections of beach will open to the public immediately after construction activities conclude in the areas, generally within 24 hours.
Closure: Partial Beach Closure in Northern Rodanthe The beach from the northern boundary of Rodanthe to the pier in Rodanthe is closed to all access as multiple threatened oceanfront structures pose risks to public safety.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the managing agency's own page.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore map

Cape Hatteras National Seashore boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

View larger map Open in Google Maps Directions

Fire restrictions

This unit's own agency alerts list no fire restriction as of Oct. 5, 2026. We do not check a statewide fire-order feed for NC, so that is not a statement that no order exists, and not a green light for a fire. Check with the land manager and your county before you light anything.

County and local burn bans may also apply on private, state, or county land nearby. On federal land, follow the land manager's order; off it, follow the strictest county or local rule that applies. When both touch your trip, obey both.

Common questions

: Yes. Cape Hatteras National Seashore has no entrance fee.
: Yes. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is open 24 hours a day, year-round.
: Pets are not allowed in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. They are not allowed on trails.

Fees, passes, and hours

Cape Hatteras National Seashore has no entrance fee.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is open 24 hours a day, year-round.

Sources: nps.gov, checked 2026-09-30; nps.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Camping in Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Campgrounds inside the park's North Carolina boundary: Frisco Campground, Ocracoke Campground and Oregon Inlet Campground , each with its sites, fees, season and reservations on campgroundsdb.com.

Pets

Pets are not allowed in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. They are not allowed on trails.

Source: nps.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Getting there

Nearest town: Frisco, 1.7 miles

Source: www2.census.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Trails

and Hiking Trails Bodie Island Boardwalk(0.4 mi one way)
riendly Accessible Bodie Island Baseline(0.75 mi one way)
min Franklin. Family Friendly Off-Island(0.5 mi one way)
atteras Island Hiking Trails Salvo Woods(0.4 mi one way)
the edge of the continent. Buxton Woods(0.75 mi one way)