01 · Driving the sand

Beach access

The house has no direct beach access — the play is ORV driving. The island runs north–south along NC-12, so every ramp is just a position up or down the road from base.

Check before every drive-out

No beach is guaranteed open in June. Nesting closures shift overnight and can shut a ramp entirely. Cape Point & South Beach (south of Buxton) are frequently closed. The beachfront in front of Avon village is walk-on only until October.

Live ramp status ↗ Hatteras tides ↗ Text CAHAORV to 333111

The corridor

Ramps near Avon

↑ North · toward Salvo & Rodanthe

Ramp 30

Between Salvo & Little Kinnakeet · 0.7 mi S of MM49

35.43861, -75.48586

Ramp 32

Little Kinnakeet · quiet, non-priority, ~6-car air-down lot

35.40800, -75.48837

Ramp 34

Just N of Avon · 19-car lot · drive north of the village only (June)

35.37748, -75.49577

Base — Pamlico Sunset

Kinnakeet Shores, north Avon · beachfront is walk-on only in June

Ramp 38

Just S of Avon · by Askins Creek Store · 0.6 mi N of MM58

35.32081, -75.50876

↓ South · toward Buxton & Cape Point

All four are non-priority ramps — they open at 7:00 AM in summer (priority ramps open 6:00 AM). Everything closes at 9:00 PM; no night driving until mid-fall.

Permit — per vehicle

One per truck on the sand

10-day $50 | annual $120. Buy online, watch the short safety video, and print the proof-of-permit (valid 30 days, covers the week). Bring a driver’s license + vehicle registration.

Buy + print permit ↗

Hours & season

Our window

Non-priority ramps	7 AM – 9 PM
Priority ramps	6 AM – 9 PM
Night driving	Nov 16 – Apr 30 only
Avon village beachfront (ORV)	Oct 15 – Apr 14 only

Numbers worth saving

Cape Hatteras ORV office 252-475-9054 · Park info 252-473-2111. No-4WD beach day? Avon’s public pedestrian access (paved lot, restrooms, showers) is on NC-12 just south of the village.