Ramp 67 provides year-round off-road vehicle access to the sandy beaches along the middle of Ocracoke Island, near Molasses Creek. Pedestrians can also use this ramp, though there is no dedicated parking lot at the ramp head — visitors on foot typically arrive from nearby accesses or from the Ocracoke Pony Pens area to the north.
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 | Mid-Ocracoke (Molasses Creek) |
| Access Type | ORV + pedestrian |
| Priority Ramp | No |
| Parking | No parking at the ramp; nearest parking is at adjacent access points |
| ORV Permit | Required — Cape Hatteras ORV Permit (annual $120, 10-day $50) |
| Open Year-Round | Yes |
Location & Aerial View
Get driving directions to Ramp 67 →
What to Expect at Ramp 67
The middle Ocracoke beaches around Ramp 67 are some of the quietest sections of the entire seashore — far enough from the ferry on one end and Ocracoke village on the other to feel genuinely remote. Year-round ORV access lets you drive on regardless of season, subject to resource closures.
Access Summary
Year-round non-priority ORV ramp. No formal parking — best suited for drive-on access by vehicles with permits.
Hours of Operation
Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV ramps follow a seasonal schedule. As a non-priority ramp, Ramp 67 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
Ocracoke Pony Pens visitor area is about 2 miles north on NC-12. Ocracoke village (full services) is about 5 miles south.
Beach Driving Tips for Ramp 67
Because there is no parking, Ramp 67 is essentially a drive-on-only access. Bring everything with you — there is no easy way to walk back for forgotten gear.
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 67
The middle of Ocracoke produces consistent surf fishing with minimal crowds. Drum and bluefish in fall, sea mullet and pompano in summer.
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 67 from spring through late summer. Always check the live ramp status at go.nps.gov/beachaccess before driving out.
Adjacent Ramps
North: Ramp 63 | South: Ramp 68
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ramp 67 located?
Ramp 67 is on Ocracoke Island near Mid-Ocracoke (Molasses Creek), off NC-12 within Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Do I need a permit to drive on the beach at Ramp 67?
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 67 open year-round?
Yes, Ramp 67 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 67. Live ramp status: go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
← Back to OBX Off-Road Beach Access: Complete Ramp Guide
Where to Camp Near Ramp 67 Ocracoke
Closest RV parks and campgrounds are covered at Hatteras Island Camping on OBX RV. Fishing here? See the Ramp 67 Ocracoke surf-fishing guide on OBX Surf Fishing.