handicap-ramps

Fun for Every-BODY

Everyone can enjoy the beaches and fishing that have made the Outer Banks a world-famous destination. Many of the Outer Banks handicap beach access locations have the necessary parking and ramps.

You can view each towns map page for handicap parking locations.
Corolla | Kitty Hawk | Kill Devil Hills | Nags Head

Beach Wheelchair Locations

Below is a complete listing of organizations that provide adaptive equipment for beach access and fishing; subject to availability. If you have questions, please use the numbers provided.

  • Kitty Hawk Fire Department • 252.261.2666
  • Kill Devil Hills Fire Department • 252.480.4060
  • Jockey’s Ridge State Park • 252.441.7132
  • Nags Head Fire Department • 252.441.5909
  • Coquina Beach – Bodie Island Lighthouse Visitor Center • 252.441.5711
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore – Visitor Information Center • 252.995.4474
  • Ocracoke National Seashore – Ocracoke Visitor Center • 252.928.4531

There are also several equipment rental companies that offer weekly beach wheelchairs rentals.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore
outer banks handicap beach access ramp

Pedestrian boardwalk at Ramp 25. Photo National Park Service

Access Boardwalks

  • Several beach access ramps along the seashore have boardwalks to assist in reaching the beach. Please stop by a visitor center for further information on which boardwalks are accessible.
  • The use of special-permitted ORVs to transport mobility-impaired individuals to a predetermined location in a beach area in front of a village that is not otherwise open to ORV use. Stop by your local permit office for more information about this mobility-impaired transport permit.

Beach wheelchairs

  • At the Cape Hatteras Light Station one beach wheelchair is available for loan. Stop by the visitor center to borrow it (phone number and address of person borrowing it required). It must be returned by 4 pm each day, even if used on consecutive days.

Bathrooms

  • Accessible bathrooms are available at all three visitor center locations, as well as many accessible outhouses located throughout the seashore, like at the Buxton Woods picnic area and swim beaches.

Bathhouses

  • The bathhouses at Coquina Beach, Salvo Day Use Area, Haulover Day Use Area, Frisco, and Ocracoke have ramps and accessible bathrooms.

For more info, go to National Park Service – Cape Hatteras

Project Lifesaver Program

Dare County participates in the “Project Lifesaver” program. This program is to assist caregivers of Alzheimer and dementia patients. A transmitter is placed on the patient’s wrist or ankle. Should the patient become lost, a receiver is deployed by local law enforcement to locate the patient.

Each of the law enforcement agencies in Dare County are trained and equipped to provide this service to residents and visitors. If you need this service, please contact the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction you are staying and a representative will be glad to assist you.

Contact Us

Drop us a line, ask us a question, or let us know if there’s other beach access information that would be helpful.

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