CAPE HATTERAS, N.C. — Nearly 400,000 people visited Cape Hatteras National Seashore in June, the second-highest total for the month in the history of the park and coming despite the COVID-19 pandemic, park officials said Wednesday.
A news release from the seashore said 399,364 people visited the park last month, which was an increase of almost 4% over June 2019. In June 2002, the park recorded 410,366 visitors.
The Virginian-Pilot reported the record comes despite months of closures and isolation brought on by the coronavirus. Many shops and restaurants offer limited services. State museums on Hatteras Island are closed, and visitors cannot climb either the Cape Hatteras or Bodie Island lighthouses.
However, park officials note that the 70 miles of beaches allow people to spread out, and the fishing and sunbathing are still an attraction.
“The ease at which it is possible to remain socially distanced on area beaches may have helped contribute to the increased visitation last month,” said David Hallac, superintendent of National Parks of Eastern North Carolina.
Cox Media Group
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