Ramp 68 is the closest beach access to the Ocracoke Campground, making it the front-door beach for campers staying at the NPS facility. It provides year-round pedestrian access via a sandy path from the parking lot and year-round ORV access via the vehicle ramp.
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 | Ocracoke (near Campground) |
| Access Type | ORV + pedestrian |
| Priority Ramp | No |
| Parking | Standard parking lot adjacent to Ocracoke Campground; sandy path to vehicle ramp |
| ORV Permit | Required — Cape Hatteras ORV Permit (annual $120, 10-day $50) |
| Open Year-Round | Yes |
Location & Aerial View
Get driving directions to Ramp 68 →
What to Expect at Ramp 68
Because of its proximity to the campground, Ramp 68 sees steady foot traffic from tent and RV campers walking out for a swim or surf-fishing session. The vehicle ramp is adjacent to the same parking area, so pedestrians and drivers share the dune crossing — go slowly. The beach in front of Ramp 68 is wide and family-friendly.
Access Summary
Year-round non-priority ORV ramp. Year-round pedestrian access via sandy path.
Hours of Operation
Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV ramps follow a seasonal schedule. As a non-priority ramp, Ramp 68 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 Campground (NPS) is immediately adjacent — flush toilets, cold-water showers, dump station. Ocracoke village (full services, lodging, restaurants) is about 2 miles south.
Beach Driving Tips for Ramp 68
Ramp 68 is family-friendly and busy in summer — go slow at the dune crossing and watch for kids running between the campground and the beach. Air down before the dune line.
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 68
The beach near the Ocracoke Campground is a reliable spot for sea mullet, pompano, and bluefish. Quiet evenings produce well.
This is one of the seasonal routes, open October 15 to April 14 — the cold half of the year. OBXmaps has the full picture of what winter opens on Ocracoke, ramp by ramp.
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 68 from spring through late summer. Always check the live ramp status at go.nps.gov/beachaccess before driving out.
Adjacent Ramps
North: Ramp 67 | South: Ramp 70
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ramp 68 located?
Ramp 68 is on Ocracoke Island near Ocracoke (near Campground), off NC-12 within Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Do I need a permit to drive on the beach at Ramp 68?
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 68 open year-round?
Yes, Ramp 68 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 68. Live ramp status: go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
← Back to OBX Off-Road Beach Access: Complete Ramp Guide
Where to Camp Near Ramp 68 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.