Cape Hatteras National Seashore sees highest visitation since 2003
Published 5:20 pm Saturday, February 16, 2019
- Recreational visits to Cape Hatteras National Seashore from 2004 to 2018.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore recorded a 5.7 percent increase in total recreational visits in 2018 compared to 2017. Last year’s visitation at 2,572,297 visitors made it the busiest year at the seashore since 2003.
Visitation estimates are collected by counting southbound vehicles just north of the Bonner Bridge and using a multiplier to estimate the total number of passengers heading south. Those estimates are added to the number of passengers going to Ocracoke Island from Cedar Island and Swan Quarter.
The first national seashore offers a variety of recreational activities, including beach recreation, off-road vehicle use on beaches, fishing, waterfowl hunting, lighthouse climbing, interpretive programs, camping, hiking, kayaking, watersports and wildlife viewing. Everyone can find something to explore at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Monthly visitation numbers show increasing visits starting in May, hitting a high in July and falling off in September and October.
Monthly Recreational Visits
Calendar Year 2018
January: 60,934
February: 76,818
March: 179,199
April: 175,377
May: 248,423
June: 389,722
July: 405,038
August: 387,698
September: 250,105
October: 201,269
November: 135,634
December: 62,080
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