How much does it cost to drive on the beach in the Outer Banks?
Check here for ORV use information at
What are the licensing requirements for driving on the beach? Vehicles must have an ORV permit to drive within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore on designated ORV routes. Beach driving permits can also be obtained at Hatteras Islands' three National Park Service ranger stations.
Permits are required, and can be purchased online and sent via mail, or in person at one of the following locations: Coquina Beach office, Cape Hatteras Light Station, and the Ocraco*ke Visitor Center. Each vehicle must have its own permit.
Corolla/Carova – No permit required to drive, but during the season, a permit is required to park* 4WD vehicles can access the beach at the northern end of NC 12 where the paved road ends. 4WD access north of this point is permitted year round.
Beach Driving Season
Non-Property owners and visitors can purchase a $100 per season permit at Nags Head local tackle shops, Nags Head Town Hall, 5401 S Croatan Hwy, 2nd floor, M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or online only if you have a printer.
4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles with higher clearance, we recommend at least 7.5 inches of ground clearance, tend to perform well on the beach.
Beach Driving & Parking on the Off Road. Vehicles are required to use driving lanes adjacent to the dune line between Milepost 14.5 and Milepost 17 from 9AM until 5PM beginning the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. All other times, use driving lanes adjacent to the dune line or at the shoreline.
A print-at-home permit is an off-road vehicle permit that you can obtain through Recreation.gov. After you purchase the permit online, you will receive a digital copy of your permit registration, the rules and regulations, and a proof of permit windshield decal.
About the Outer Banks Scenic Byway
The byway extends for 138 driving miles and 25 ferry-traveling miles, and effectively crosses across several islands which includes Cedar Island, Ocraco*ke Island and Hatteras Island.
Beer is allowed on Outer Banks beaches. Glass containers are not allowed. Open containers in vehicles are not allowed. Wine and liquor are not officially allowed on the beach.
What beach in NC can you drive on?
Residents and visitors have long enjoyed the beach area now known as Freeman Park. In fact, the area has become one of Carolina Beach's major attractions as it is one of the only beaches in NC that you can drive your 4X4 vehicle on.
- Permit Applications via mail or in-person at one of.
- In Corolla.
- On the Mainland.
- Fax: 252-435-2996 or 252-453-9653.
- For more information on Currituck Beach Parking.
- Permits, call: 252-435-2947 or 252-453-9612.
North of Corolla are the beaches known as “The 4×4 Beaches,” where you can only travel with 4-wheel drive vehicles. This area stretches 11 miles from the hard road in Corolla to the Virginia state line.
Arrive before dark, as the beach is more difficult to navigate at night. The speed limit is 35 mph unless posted otherwise (15 mph when within 300 feet of pedestrians or wild horses). Avoid driving through the surf and seafoam - salt water is extremely corrosive.
There is no charge to access the beach. Freeman Park Recreation Area requires a paid 4-wheel drive permit to drive on the beach.
Beach driving is definitely a fun thing to do on Ocraco*ke. However, you need to get a permit from the National Park Service and make certain that you're in a 4WD vehicle that can maneuver in the deep sand. Believe us, you do not want to get your car or truck stuck on the beach.
Should You Air Down Tires for Sand? If you're planning to be on sand, you should air down your tires to 50% of the maximum PSI. Sand, mud, and other soft surfaces can cause your vehicle to sink. Reducing the tire pressure creates a broader base for your tires and spreads out the weight.
4WD, with optional Hi and Lo modes, provide the torque needed to push the vehicle through deep, heavy sand better than their AWD cousins. 4WD vehicles also tend to have much higher ground clearance than AWD cars and SUVs.
And if you want to avoid other people altogether, consider driving south along NC 12 to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, parking alongside the road, and hiking over the dunes to your private beach. To summarize, yes, you can smoke and drink alcohol on the beaches of the Outer Banks.
Leaving at 10 am on a Saturday pretty much guarantees you'll be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. Leaving very early in the morning ensures you'll beat out the rest of the slackers. If you have summer hours on Fridays at work, take advantage of the extra time and get on the road as soon as you can.
How long can a Corolla go on empty?
Depending on the model year and the terrain you're driving on, the Toyota Corolla can go between 45 and 47 miles on empty. This is typically more miles than other similar compact models, and it should give you plenty of time to find a filling station. Just be more cautious in the future.
Golf carts may be driven across Route 12, in areas where the speed limit is 35 mph or less. Corolla Light allows LSVs only, no golf carts. Ocean Sands and Ocean Lake do not allow either golf carts or LSVs.
How Long Does It Take to Drive the Entire Outer Banks? The whole trip, including the two ferry rides, can take at least 5-6 hours but you should plan to spend a full day exploring, even more if you have the time.
Any work involving the construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, or change of occupancy of a building or structure, or electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system is required to obtain a construction permit.
The best time to visit the Outer Banks is between March and May or September and November, when lodging rates drop and crowds dissipate. Most mainland North Carolina residents and out-of-towners arrive during the summer months, when humidity is high and average temperatures consistently hit the upper 80s.
Many locals will tell you fall is the best time to visit. Outer Banks weather is mild until the end of December, and the crowds have lessened. Stay at a vacation rental, hotel or cottage. The fishing is great this time of year, and the winds pick up making the Outer Banks popular for wind surfing and kiteboarding.
Kitty Hawk is the least populated of the three central OBX beach towns, and features relatively skinny shorelines as well as oceanfront homes that are just steps away from the sand.
Ocean Swimming
Taking a dip in the ocean can happen anytime, along any stretch of Outer Banks shoreline. Whether you're staying in the 4WD beaches of Carova, or the charming village of Ocraco*ke, if you're on the Outer Banks, there's certainly a beach nearby waiting for you to get your toes wet.
Visitors should be respectful of local wildlife, and watch for seasonal closures due to endangered bird or sea turtle nesting. Smoking is not allowed on the beach within the town limits. All personal items left on the beach between sunset and sunrise will be confiscated.
Look to these stores and shops in Nags Head when finding beer and wine. Keep in mind that on Sundays, alcohol cannot be sold until 10 a.m.
Can you drive golf carts on beach in obx?
Can the Standard golf carts or LSV's be driven on the beach or off-road? No, ALL CARTS must be operated on paved roadways, only. You can be ticketed for improper use of a golf cart or low speed vehicle.
The best sand vehicles are 2WD. Anywhere that you're gonna get stuck, 4 and 2 wheel drive will both get stuck. The 4WD will dig four holes, the 2WD will only dig two holes. Other than that, the the 4WD just has extra weight.
North Carolina -- In North Carolina, passengers over 16-years-old may ride within a truck bed. However, children younger than 16 may also ride in a truck bed if an adult is also riding there; the child is restrained by a seat belt; or the truck is being operated in a parade, farm work, or an emergency.
Bodie Island, Pea Island, and Ocraco*ke are some of the best places in this area to find sea glass. However, it can be found along any strip of beach, from Corolla to South Nags Head. Early morning is the best time to go sea glass hunting.
You have three options: arriving by water in a shallow-draft boat, landing on an airstrip in a small plane or motoring in via a long, curvy, two-lane highway. Most travelers come to Corolla from the north, traveling down U.S. Highway 64 then U.S. Highway 158 from Virginia.
The beaches are pristine and not crowded. There is a variety of wonderful restaurants to choose from. The Currrituck light house, the Whalehead Club and the beautiful environment keeps people returning to Corolla.
Filming location: Hunting Island, a state park located 15 miles east of Beaufort, South Carolina, is the perfect stand-in for the Boneyard due to its sandy beaches and sprawling driftwood. It is, however, primarily known for its historic lighthouse (see below) and nature trails.
It is also home to dozens of popular eateries, shops, and a wide selection of vacation rentals. The municipality does not maintain any public beach accesses, but plenty of convenient, private community accesses are available for residents, renters and their guests.
AWD uses a variable connection that your vehicle can adjust on the fly, at any speed, to shift power where it's needed. 4WD connects your front and rear wheels through a transfer case that splits power evenly, and it's meant to be used at lower speeds and in challenging terrain.
The most popular destinations for year-round beach driving is the 4WD accessible beaches north of Corolla, Hatteras Island, and Ocraco*ke Island. Wintertime beach driving is also allowed in central Outer Banks communities including Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills.
Do you need a permit to drive on the beach in Outer Banks?
What are the licensing requirements for driving on the beach? Vehicles must have an ORV permit to drive within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore on designated ORV routes. Beach driving permits can also be obtained at Hatteras Islands' three National Park Service ranger stations.
First up: tyre pressures. As a general rule, go straight down to 16psi—don't mess around. This will increase the overall size of your tyre's footprint that makes contact with the sand, meaning your 4x4 D‑MAX or MU‑X will float across the surface rather than bog down.
Important Beach Rules to Remember:
Alcohol and glass containers are prohibited at all times.
Taking sand from the beach is ILLEGAL! It is a misdemeanor, with up to a $500 fine and/or 30 days in jail.
Service for most of North Carolina's seven ferry routes is free, but fares are charged for service on the popular Cedar Island-Ocraco*ke and Swan Quarter-Ocraco*ke routes as well as the Southport-Fort Fisher route and the Ocraco*ke Express (Hatteras-Ocraco*ke) passenger ferry route.
Town of Nags Head property owners/residents can purchase a $50 per season permit available only at Nags Head Town Hall, 5401 S Croatan Hwy, 2nd floor, M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Proof of Nags Head property ownership or residency will be required (examples: driver's license with Nags Head address, tax bill or utility ...
Can you get out of your vehicles on the Hatteras – Ocraco*ke Ferry? All passengers can exit their vehicles and explore the Hatteras – Ocraco*ke Ferry, but must wait until the ferry is in motion, and has departed the terminal docks.
Beach driving is definitely a fun thing to do on Ocraco*ke. However, you need to get a permit from the National Park Service and make certain that you're in a 4WD vehicle that can maneuver in the deep sand. Believe us, you do not want to get your car or truck stuck on the beach.
Visitors and campers driving 4-wheel drive vehicles must have a valid Freeman Park access pass at all times to enter the park (can be purchased online or in person at entrance to park). Camping permits can only be purchased on-line. CLICK HERE to make camp site reservations.
To get a permit to enter the Cape Cod National Seashore in your vehicle, you'll have to pass a vehicle inspection, have all the required safety equipment, view the orientation program, and purchase a pass. This pass will cost you $50 for seven days or $150 for the entire year.
Can you drive along the Outer Banks?
The Outer Banks Scenic Byway is one of the most popular driving routes in North Carolina. This byway offers stunning views of the east coast, as well as plenty of opportunities to stop and explore.
Service for most of North Carolina's seven ferry routes is free, but fares are charged for service on the popular Cedar Island-Ocraco*ke and Swan Quarter-Ocraco*ke routes as well as the Southport-Fort Fisher route and the Ocraco*ke Express (Hatteras-Ocraco*ke) passenger ferry route.
Situated on the ocean front, Rules Beach is several miles long and runs the full distance between Baffle Creek and Broadwater Creek. Rules Beach is the only beach left on the Discovery Coast on which you can legally drive a four wheel drive vehicle, and is the way to reach the mouth of Broadwater creek.
Here is the beach driving gear we recommend for a fun day on the sand. A pass is required, and there are three types of passes available. A daily pass is $40, a daily holiday pass for holiday weekends is $60, and an annual pass is $200.
14 Consecutive Day Limit: Camping or sleeping in a vehicle or tent for more than fourteen (14) consecutive days is not allowed. ,Freeman Park Rules: All Freeman Park Policies apply while camping. Please see our website for further details.,Dog Policy: Dogs must be on a leash April 1st through September 30th.
There is no charge to access the beach as it's free and open to the public year-round. Vehicles are allowed at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area's four-wheel-drive beach. Permits can be purchased for access.
Some town beaches are open only to town residents, or may admit non-residents only after 4 or 5 p.m. Towns may require the purchase of beach stickers. Fees at Cape Cod National Seashore beaches: Daily $25 for vehicles, $20 for motorcycles, $15 for pedestrians and bicyclists; Annual pass $60.
Reservations may be made up to 3 days in advance by calling Salt Pond Visitor Center at 508 - 255 - 3421 for beaches in Eastham and Wellfleet, and Province Lands Visitor Center at 508 - 487 - 1256 for beaches in Truro and Provincetown, or in person at the visitor centers beginning at 9 AM.
The average price of a 7-day trip to Cape Cod is $1,714 for a solo traveler, $3,078 for a couple, and $5,771 for a family of 4. Cape Cod hotels range from $77 to $352 per night with an average of $116, while most vacation rentals will cost $200 to $440 per night for the entire home.
The length of the secluded road is 142.5 driving miles. The driving time is 6.5 hours – including 3.5 hours on two ferries. The byway begins in the Outer Banks region and ends in the Crystal Coast region.
