Ramp 38 provides year-round off-road vehicle and pedestrian access to the beaches just south of the village of Avon, plus seasonal (October 15 – April 14) ORV access to the beach in front of the village itself. It is the closest year-round vehicle ramp to the Avon Pier.
Year-round non-priority ORV ramp — open to vehicles every day of the year, subject to resource closures. Opens later in summer mornings than priority ramps.
Quick Facts
| Island | Hatteras Island |
| Nearest Village | South Avon |
| Access Type | ORV + pedestrian |
| Priority Ramp | No |
| Parking | Standard parking lot with sandy pedestrian paths to the beach |
| ORV Permit | Required — Cape Hatteras ORV Permit (annual $120, 10-day $50) |
| Open Year-Round | Yes |
Location & Aerial View
Get driving directions to Ramp 38 →
What to Expect at Ramp 38
A dedicated ORV ramp leads onto the sand, with sandy pedestrian paths starting at the parking lot. There is no formal boardwalk, so pedestrians and vehicles share the same dune-crossing — use caution. The beach south of Ramp 38 stretches uninterrupted toward Cape Hatteras, while the seasonal access north toward Avon village opens an additional 1.5 miles of fishable beach.
Access Summary
Year-round non-priority ORV ramp. Seasonal ORV access north into Avon village from October 15 to April 14.
Hours of Operation
Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV ramps follow a seasonal schedule. As a non-priority ramp, Ramp 38 opens later in summer mornings than priority ramps during the night-driving wildlife protection period.
| Season | Hours |
|---|---|
| May 1 – November 15 | 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| November 16 – April 30 | Open 24 hours |
Hours can change — always confirm at go.nps.gov/beachaccess before driving.
Nearby Amenities
Avon Pier is about a mile north on NC-12. The Avon village core (groceries, gas, tackle) is 1.5 miles north. Buxton is 6 miles south.
Beach Driving Tips for Ramp 38
Pedestrian and vehicle traffic share the same ramp here — go slow at the dune crossing and check uphill before driving onto the beach. South of the ramp is open and remote; pack out everything.
Before you drive on: see our guides to airing down your tires, reading the tide chart, and packing the right recovery gear. New to ORV permits? Start with our Cape Hatteras ORV permit guide.
Surf Fishing at Ramp 38
The stretch from Ramp 38 south toward Ramp 43 is one of the longest uninterrupted ORV beaches on Hatteras. Drum, bluefish, and mullet in fall.
Seasonal Wildlife Closures
Cape Hatteras National Seashore protects nesting piping plover, American oystercatcher, least tern, colonial waterbirds, and sea turtles. Resource closures around active nests can shift overnight and may restrict or eliminate access through Ramp 38 from spring through late summer. Always check the live ramp status at go.nps.gov/beachaccess before driving out.
Adjacent Ramps
North: Ramp 34 | South: Ramp 43
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ramp 38 located?
Ramp 38 is on Hatteras Island near South Avon, off NC-12 within Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Do I need a permit to drive on the beach at Ramp 38?
Yes. You need a valid Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV permit ($120 annual or $50 for 10 days). Permits are sold online at Recreation.gov. You watch a short safety video, enter your driver’s license and vehicle registration details, and print the permit at home.
Is Ramp 38 open year-round?
Yes, Ramp 38 is open to ORVs year-round, subject to weather closures and seasonal wildlife resource closures.
Can I drive on the beach with AWD instead of 4WD?
The Park Service does not prohibit it, but it is usually a mistake. Most AWD crossovers have no low-range gearing and not much ground clearance, so they dig in above the tide line instead of climbing out. See our guide to AWD vs 4WD for OBX beach driving. If your own vehicle is not a true 4x4, Beach 4x4 rents beach-legal 4WDs with both beach permits and recovery gear included. Either way, air down to 18–20 PSI before you drive on sand. When you leave the beach, air back up to 38 PSI at an air-up station or with a portable pump (every Beach 4x4 rental includes one).
Source: National Park Service — Beach Access Ramp 38. Live ramp status: go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
← Back to OBX Off-Road Beach Access: Complete Ramp Guide
Where to Camp Near Ramp 38 Hatteras
Closest RV parks and campgrounds are covered at Avon Camping on OBX RV. Fishing here? See the Ramp 38 Hatteras surf-fishing guide on OBX Surf Fishing.