Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Ramp 38

Ramp 38 is one of the National Park Service's numbered beach-access points along Cape Hatteras National Seashore, sitting just south of Avon off NC-12. Public parking here doesn't require a permit, and it's roughly a 150-yard walk from the lot to the open beach — an easy option for anyone who just wants sand and surf without driving on it. Getting a vehicle onto the beach itself is a different matter: that requires a valid NPS ORV permit, available online through Recreation.gov or at permit offices on the island.

The stretch of beach at Ramp 38 draws a mix of surf anglers, swimmers, and surfers, and like the rest of Hatteras Island it's undeveloped past the parking area — no lifeguards, no facilities, just open seashore. NC-12 and individual ramps can close or wash out during storms, so it's worth checking current conditions with the Seashore before heading out, especially during hurricane season (June-November).