Ocracoke: Pony Pasture Parking
About
Pony Pasture Parking is a beach parking area on Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina, managed by the National Park Service. The nearest town is Ocracoke, about 9 miles away. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ocracoke show May highs around 75°F and October highs around 73°F, while July and August average highs near 85°F. Ocracoke Campground, about 3.6 miles away, offers saltwater fishing. Cape Point Campground, roughly 6.7 miles off, is another nearby option for an overnight stay.
Beach Details
Parking
Small lot
Fee
Free
Restrooms
Yes
Accessible access
Yes
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Ocracoke: Pony Pasture Parking
North Carolina
Data: North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, public beach access sites. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Apr–Nov. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 62–85°F and lows of 50–74°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Ocracoke, NC weather station, 7.1 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan52° high39° low
- Feb54° high40° low
- Mar59° high46° low
- Apr68° high54° low
- May75° high63° low
- Jun82° high70° low
- Jul85° high74° low
- Aug85° high73° low
- Sep80° high70° low
- Oct73° high60° low
- Nov62° high50° low
- Dec56° high43° low
Where it is
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore · National Park Service
- Nearest town
- Ocracoke, North Carolina · 8.8 mi
Source: NPS Land Resources boundaries; USGS GNIS populated places
Conditions
Active alerts for Cape Hatteras National Seashore as of Oct 9, 2026:
Partial Beach Closure in Northern Rodanthe
Park Closure · posted Sep 24, 2026
Project Safety Closure in Place Near Southernmost Groin in Buxton
Park Closure · posted Aug 24, 2026
Closure of Billy Mitchell Airport for Repaving Project
Park Closure · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: NPS Alerts API
Nearby
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Is Ocracoke: Pony Pasture Parking open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It doesn't name Ocracoke: Pony Pasture Parking, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).
Cape Point & Frisco campgrounds and several ORV ramps remain closed
Park closure covering Cape Hatteras National Seashore · NPS · Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Project Safety Closure in Place Near Southernmost Groin in Buxton
Park closure covering Cape Hatteras National Seashore · NPS · Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Closure of Billy Mitchell Airport for Repaving Project
Park closure covering Cape Hatteras National Seashore · NPS · Cape Hatteras National Seashore
As of · Source: NPS · Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit Ocracoke: Pony Pasture Parking
Best months: March–December. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
52° / 39°
9 wet
Feb
54° / 40°
9 wet
Mar
59° / 46°
9 wet
Apr
68° / 54°
8 wet
May
75° / 63°
8 wet
Jun
82° / 70°
9 wet
Jul
85° / 74°
10 wet
Aug
85° / 73°
11 wet
Sep
80° / 70°
9 wet
Oct
73° / 60°
8 wet
Nov
62° / 50°
8 wet
Dec
56° / 43°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ocracoke, NC, 7.1 mi away at 4 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
