Ramp 63 is one of the newest off-road vehicle ramps on Ocracoke Island, opened by the National Park Service in June 2016 to add ORV and pedestrian capacity along the central stretch of NC-12. It is located approximately 3 miles south of Ramp 59 and roughly 3 miles north of the Ocracoke Pony Pens, near Scrag Cedar Road.
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 | Ocracoke Island |
| Nearest Village | North Ocracoke (Scrag Cedar) |
| Access Type | ORV + pedestrian |
| Priority Ramp | No |
| Parking | On-ramp parking; refer to NPS conditions page for current status |
| ORV Permit | Required — Cape Hatteras ORV Permit (annual $120, 10-day $50) |
| Open Year-Round | Yes |
Location & Aerial View
Get driving directions to Ramp 63 →
What to Expect at Ramp 63
Built as part of a four-ramp expansion project to improve year-round access between the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry and Ocracoke village, Ramp 63 was the final new ramp completed in that program. It provides ORV access to the open stretch of beach in the middle of Ocracoke Island — one of the most remote and least crowded sections of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Access Summary
Year-round non-priority ORV ramp. Subject to seasonal closures — check the NPS conditions page before driving.
Hours of Operation
Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV ramps follow a seasonal schedule. As a non-priority ramp, Ramp 63 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
No services at the ramp. Ocracoke Pony Pens are about 3 miles south. Ocracoke village (full services, lodging, restaurants, ferry to Cedar Island and Swan Quarter) is about 8 miles south.
Beach Driving Tips for Ramp 63
Ramp 63 is a great option when Ramp 59 fills up on busy weekends. The beach here is wide open and very remote — bring everything you need and pack everything out.
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 63
The middle of Ocracoke is uncrowded and consistent. Drum, bluefish, sea mullet, and pompano all show up here in season with much less pressure than the village ramps.
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 63 from spring through late summer. Always check the live ramp status at go.nps.gov/beachaccess before driving out.
Adjacent Ramps
North: Ramp 59 | South: Ramp 67
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ramp 63 located?
Ramp 63 is on Ocracoke Island near North Ocracoke (Scrag Cedar), off NC-12 within Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Do I need a permit to drive on the beach at Ramp 63?
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 63 open year-round?
Yes, Ramp 63 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 63. Live ramp status: go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
← Back to OBX Off-Road Beach Access: Complete Ramp Guide
Where to Camp Near Ramp 63 Ocracoke
Closest RV parks and campgrounds are covered at Hatteras Island Camping on OBX RV. See the ramp-paired campground breakdown at OBX Surf Fishing Camping.