Ramp 45

The one Hatteras Island ramp built for walking, not driving, straight to Cape Point's beach

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Buxton, NC

About

Ramp 45 sits in the Cape Point Campground area of Buxton, part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore's numbered beach-access system — but unlike most of Hatteras Island's ramps, this one is a footpath, not a vehicle route. No ORV permit required: the roughly 1.5-mile walk from the campground roundabout leads out to the beach on the western side of Cape Hatteras, near the curve of Cape Point itself. Along the way the path crosses the Inside Road, the sand track off-road vehicles use heading to and from the Point, so pedestrians should look both ways before continuing on.

The access is open year-round, though like the rest of this stretch of seashore it sits within an area actively managed for nesting shorebirds and sea turtles, and portions can see seasonal protective closures. It's a good option for anyone staying at Cape Point Campground who wants beach access on foot rather than lining up for one of the island's ORV ramps, and a quieter approach to a stretch of shoreline that draws surf anglers and beachcombers year-round. Check current conditions before heading out, since access along this part of the seashore shifts with storms and wildlife-protection needs.

Best Time to Visit Ramp 45

Ramp 45 is open to pedestrian access year-round, so there's no seasonal opening or closing date to plan around. That said, this stretch of Cape Hatteras National Seashore is actively managed for nesting shorebirds and sea turtles, and portions of the area can see seasonal protective closures depending on wildlife activity. Storms can also affect the route and the beach it leads to. Because conditions along this part of the seashore shift with both weather and wildlife-protection needs, it's worth checking current conditions before heading out rather than assuming the path and beach access are fully open.

Tips for Using Ramp 45's Pedestrian Beach Access

This is a pedestrian route, not a vehicle ramp, so no off-road-vehicle permit is needed to walk out to the beach.
The footpath crosses the Inside Road, the sand track off-road vehicles use to reach Cape Point, so watch for ORV traffic and look both ways before continuing across.
It's a convenient option for anyone staying at Cape Point Campground who'd rather walk to the beach than drive to and queue at one of the island's ORV ramps.

Getting to Ramp 45 from Cape Point Campground

Access starts at the roundabout inside Cape Point Campground in Buxton, on Hatteras Island within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. From there it's roughly a 1.5-mile walk out to the beach — there's no drive-up option, since this access point is on foot only. The route ends on the beach along the western side of Cape Hatteras, near the curve of Cape Point itself. Because it begins inside the campground, it's most useful as a starting point for people already staying there rather than a separate drive to a trailhead.

What to Expect at Ramp 45 in Buxton

Ramp 45 is a numbered beach-access point within Cape Hatteras National Seashore, located in the Cape Point Campground area of Buxton. Unlike most of Hatteras Island's numbered ramps, it isn't built for vehicles — this one is a footpath rather than a drive-up ORV route. It opens onto a stretch of beach that draws surf anglers and beachcombers year-round, giving foot travelers a quieter way to reach the shoreline than the island's vehicle ramps offer.

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