Public Beach Access

Best Time to Visit Ramp 34 for Beach Access

The boardwalk at Ramp 34 is open to pedestrians year-round, so walking onto the beach here is possible any time of year. Vehicle access is more limited: the ramp opens to off-road vehicles only from October 15 through April 14, for driving onto the beach in front of and north of Avon. Outside that window, Ramp 34 functions as a pedestrian-only access point. If you're planning a visit specifically for ORV beach driving, aim for that fall-through-spring window and confirm the ramp is currently open before you go.

Tips for Visiting Ramp 34 Beach Access

• ORV drivers need a current NPS beach-driving permit to use the ramp during its seasonal (Oct 15–Apr 14) vehicle window; pedestrians can use the boardwalk year-round without one.
• Parking is in a paved lot with room for about nineteen vehicles.
• Look for the bike rack, recycling bins, and interpretive signage on site — handy if you're arriving by bike or want background on the area before heading down to the beach.

Getting to Ramp 34 in Avon, Hatteras Island

Ramp 34 is located in the village of Avon on Hatteras Island, reached via NC-12 — the only road linking Avon to the rest of the island. Because it's the sole route in and out, NC-12 is prone to overwash and closures during storms. It's worth checking current road and beach conditions before heading out, especially during hurricane season, roughly August through October, when the highway is more likely to be affected. Both pedestrians heading to the boardwalk and permitted vehicles entering the beach use this same access point right off NC-12.

What to Expect at Ramp 34 Beach Access in Avon

Ramp 34 is the National Park Service's numbered beach-access point serving the village of Avon on Hatteras Island, inside Cape Hatteras National Seashore. A pedestrian boardwalk crosses the dune here, leading straight out onto the sand. Like the other numbered ramps strung along this stretch of Hatteras Island, Ramp 34 is a functional access point rather than a destination in itself — a place to park, get oriented, and walk onto the beach, not a maintained hiking trail. There's no marked path, mileage, or elevation gain to speak of; the appeal here is straightforward beach access for the village of Avon.