I'm down here too. Actually the in-laws rented a house for a week so I am on vacation. The Hatteras National Seashore permit is 50 bux + 10 minutes lost watching some video. We are in Rodanthe...probably 15-20 minute south of the Oregon Inlet Bridge. I wheeled at Ramp 4, which sucked, and Ramp 27, which was real nice. I tried to wheel on the point, but they had half of it closed due to some birds nesting or mating...or something.

Ramp 27 is south of Rodanthe and is long (about 1.5 miles) and wide between the sea and the dunes. We were actually kicking a soccer ball around and stuff. Best note, there was no one out here at all...I assume Ramp 30 is the same way, which is a couple miles down, but I did not stop for it. But the desolateness of the area was cool. Great for fishing, playing, etc.

Ramp 4 was empty as well, and although we hit it as the tide was coming in, it was pretty narrow and weird. I did not like there and preferred the southern ramps.

Ramp 44 on the point was open but it was smaller and packed full of surf fishers. Not bad if that is your thing, just not enough room to do much.

North of the Oregon Inlet bridge is a different story. I went there in 2010, but its changed from what I can remember. The beaches were pretty narrow and the point used to go under the bridge...now its a strip. We had to race the tide in order to beat the ocean when we went Weds.

It was fun though and worth the 50 bux if you are heading south. I think the cut is April 30 before most the beaches close, but I would check the website.

Lastly, I dropped my PSI to 20 and had a good time at Ramp 27. I left them at 30 PSI at Ramp 4 and definitely felt the difference. AIR DOWN! Not only is it smart, its required by the national park service guys, or whoever they are. Are they checking? No, but they don't want to have to call a wrecker when you get stuck, which brings me to another great point...bring snatch/tow strap, at least. I got to pull a Honda Pilot out twice, but I had to leave them there at first because I had none of that stuff. Luckily their AAA guy did and I was able to get them out and save them big dollars...they did not air down their tires which was probably there issue. And although I did it out of the kindness of my heart...they did throw money into my Jeep after their trials. The sand between the end of the actual ramp and the beach is really soft. Have fun out there!

Here are some pics:

Far shot after we lost the soccer ball


Close-up of Jeep at Ramp 27


Ramp 4 Jeep and beach, note the distance to the ocean


Ramp 4 Dune


Oregon Inlet bridge. Last time I was here, it was open (closed due to wildlife management now) and I thought it was wider and went under the bridge more. I guess that is the ever changing attitude of these islands.

 

National Park Service Site:

http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisi...ehicle-use.htm

Maps of ORV Areas:

http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisi...NAL-8-5x11.pdf

If you have Google Earth, here is a KML file of the ramps and closures.

http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisi...leearthmap.htm

Weekly Reports:

http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisi...ry-reports.htm

 

Thanks man. I'll be going out there the end of may for the long weekend to check things out. I can't wait. I'm at the dealership now, maybe I'll be able to take my new 2012 jku out there then.

 

Been here since 5/12 and having a great time. fishing , relaxing and driving on the beach . Just as another said, drop the air pressure and you will be fine. Again as another said , This is NOT Daytona , it is not hard pack , it is deep , soft sand .

 

Anyone going to be down may 20-27?

 

wow,,i didnt realize obx was so well known..

 

Yeah, we need to stop talking about it. There's already too many people that know about our little piece of heaven

 

 

I'll be there 26-28

 

Love it the just got back in april we go every year and love it haven't taken the jeep tho but next year I'm going for a few weeks and taken her down there for some fun