Camping in hatteras outer banks

Need an opinion, or several. I'm going down to hatteras at the end of October. I don't want to camp in the campsites for obvious reasons. I'm just going to set up camp along the desolate beach south of the lighthouse. I understand it is not allowed. I have known people who have done it however recently there has been an uproar because of the turtles and bird eggs. I'm very respectful of animals and wouldn't destroy anything. You're aloud to drive on the beach and I certainly wouldn't do anything worse than some fisherman's car would do. Anyway, my questions is...since the new rules, how often and how spread out do the ranger's check the beaches at night. What do you think the odds are of getting caught?? 50 percent , 100 percent, not likely?? thanks guys.

 

risky?

What is the risk? How do they handle it? Do you get a small ticket and have to pack up and leave or is it more serious?

 

I'm not trying to save money on camping, I just want to be on the beach. And the camps are all off the beach. Frisco is kinda in the dunes I hear. But then you have to deal with families in RV's and bs like that. Also, I'm bringing ATV's down also, I don't think they let you even bring them in on a trailer into the camps...not sure.

 

Is that true vasponger?? I actually read something similar. Like they can't prove that your not just napping, haha.

 

good advice, that's what I assumed. And you're right, Frisco is like right on the beach. The swell kinda sucks compared to lighthouse area, but atleast there's something, and the wind actually looks more ccooperative. thanks bud.

 

good advice other than the ATV thing. Yes, there's no where to ride them, except the 70 miles of beach. The atv's are coming.

 

atv's

good advice other than the ATV thing. Yes, there's no where to ride them, except the 70 miles of beach. The atv's are coming.

 

defintley illegal, you can read it on the NPS ORV (off road vehical) brochure pdf, just type that into a google search. It says all vehicals must be registered and have a liscence plate, including atvs. I just bought an atv and they made me register it and its got a little license plate. However, I have my buddies atv also, and its like 15 years old, and its not registered. This, i think is worth the risk. We're not going to be riding at night so as long as we behave, dont go in the dunes I'm sure we'll be fun. Its just too much fun to not bring them down. I'm prepared to pay fine if it really comes down to it. I'm sure if I just go the other way or back to a campground once I see the patrol coming I'll be fine. form what I hear you can go the whole day without seeing a ranger at all, and since the night driving is alound after sept 15th because turtle hatching is done for the season, I think we'll be fine

 

I meant to start that out...defintely NOT illegal...sorry

 

First, Bonersurf, dont wet your pants. i didn't mean for you to get upset. But the fact of the matter is you are incorrect.

go to: http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/off-road-vehicle-use.htm

click on the current google map beach driving thing. You need to have google earth to see it. I even called the visitor center and they said its accurate. There's plenty of places you can still drive on the beach. And as of the 15th, even night driving is allowed. Yes, there are some big closures...but see the green sections?? those are where you are allowed. There's a nice big sections south and a little north of the lighthouse.

Secondly and on the same link, you can download the pdf brochure of the beach driving rules. Second page, it clearly states that atv are aloud as long as they are registered and have a license plate. And again, I also checked this with the visitors center.

You are obviously wrong. However, I do see your point about the latest news coverage, so I'm sure I'll get stopped and they'll check everything, but if I'm within the rules, im within the rules. I might try to avoid riding my quad that isnt registered, my buddies quad that I"m bringing, atleast until I ride around a little and see what the enforcement is like.

Also, I obviously wont go anywhere near those red areas, I"m not a **** and I understand rules. Hopefully they are marked on the beach, not just the ramp, so i dont accidently go near them, but I will be conscience.

your argument???