Soundside Ramp 60

Best Time to Visit Soundside Ramp 60

Like every ramp on Hatteras Island, Soundside Ramp 60 can close on short notice, and that risk climbs during hurricane season, from August through October, when this stretch of the island floods and washes out more readily than the beaches farther north. If you're planning a trip during those months, build extra flexibility into your plans, since access here is more weather-dependent than at ramps farther north on the island.

Tips for Visiting Soundside Ramp 60

• Check current ramp status at go.nps.gov/beachaccess before you drive out.
• When you purchase your National Park Service ORV permit, bring a valid driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance — all three are required at the time of purchase.
• Kiteboarding and windsurfing here are conditions-dependent, so check wind and water conditions before loading gear for those activities.

Getting to Soundside Ramp 60

Soundside Ramp 60 sits in Buxton, within Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and is one of the National Park Service's numbered access points along the seashore. Reaching it means driving the designated off-road vehicle route out to the ramp, which requires a National Park Service ORV permit.

What to Expect at Soundside Ramp 60

Soundside Ramp 60 faces Pamlico Sound rather than the ocean, which sets it apart from most of the ramps on Hatteras Island. The water here is shallow, calm, and brackish, built for launching a canoe, kayak, or small boat rather than for surf. It draws anglers, paddlers, and waders who prefer working the sound side of the island instead of the beach side, and it supports a mix of activities:

• Bait-fishing, crabbing, and wading in shallow water
• Kayaking, stand-up paddling, and small-boat launching
• Kiteboarding and windsurfing when conditions allow
• Birdwatching, with great blue herons, white ibises, and snowy egrets common, and white pelicans and bald eagles turning up on occasion