Rules for Driving On The Beach Speed limit on the beach is 35 mph; … Welcome to the home of the happy oyster where for over 35 years the oyster has been our world. OuterBanks.com would like to thank Bob's Wild Horse Tours for supporting this content. Any law applicable to vehicle use on paved roads in the State of North Carolina also applies to ORV use at the Seashore. Please deposit all trash in trash containers wherever available or by bagging and removing it from the beach. The National Park Service has a weekly updated map on their website, which outlines the areas of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore that are open to pedestrians, vehicles, or both, and summer visitors are encouraged to check out their website to confirm which beach driving areas are open during their vacation. Through a reciprocal program, each town recognizes the beach driving permit issued by the other. Find the correct permit and click "Reservation Details." Hatteras Island and Ocracoke - The Cape Hatteras National Seashore which comprises the beaches of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands also offers miles of shoreline for beach drivers to explore, all marked by brown, National Park Service managed "ramp markers" that indicate the mile and entrance point of every beach ramp along these islands. However, the National Park Service (NPS) requires visitors to have an off-road vehicle (ORV) permit to operate a vehicle on designated ORV routes at the Seashore. Resident/Owner – This seasonal permit is available at no fee to Currituck County residents and property owners. As a last resort, the Outer Banks is also home to a number of towing companies that are stationed throughout the beaches, and are particularly concentrated around areas that are popular with beach driving, (specifically, Carova and Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.) Air down your tires to 15-22 psi before driving on the beach. Permits required for OBX beach driving | WAVY.com | Feb. 15, 2012 Do you need to air down your tires to drive on the Outer Banks beaches? Find your perfect beach, amenities, beach guidelines, and more. Beach driving may also be allowed south of the ramp in the northern Corolla beaches from October through April. Permits are available from the National Park Service for driving in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, or from the respective towns, (like Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills), in the central Outer Banks. Salt water spray is highly corrosive. But the love of driving on the beach has never quite disappeared from these beaches, both among locals who have been driving along the beaches their entire life, and newcomers who love the convenience of driving until they find that perfect, secluded beach spot. In fact, driving on the beach isn't just a favorite local pastime and a draw to adventurous vacationers and fishermen. Public consumption of spirituous liquors or fortified wines is prohibited. The Carova Beach Permitting system will be effective from the Friday before Memorial Day until Labor Day. On the Outer Banks, beach driving enthusiasts will find miles of shoreline to explore, from the uninhabited shoreline along Ocracoke Island to the solely 4WD accessible beaches of Carova, north of Corolla. Before NC Highway 12 was built all the way to Corolla in the late 60s and early 70s, visitors had to follow sandy paths, from either the north along the Virginia state line, or from the south via the more developed beaches of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk. At our Duck location, you can order carry-out from our window to take home or enjoy at the neighboring Pizzazz Pizza. Parking permit information can be found here. Wooden boards or traction mats can also come in handy, as they can provide a solid surface to drive on when trying to get out of the sand. If the tires start to spin, back up in your tire tracks for several car lengths and accelerate slowly as you move forward. ATVS are not allowed on the Outer Banks from Corolla to Ocracoke Island. Please avoid littering the beach with dead bait, carcasses or other dead fish of any kind. Unless you have never driven on a beach or off roaded at all. The wrack line is a line of stranded natural debris on the beach left by a previous high tide that can be an important food source for birds. The softer the sand the lower the pressure needed. The only exceptions to this are: Carova: driving on Carova beaches is free, but a permit is required to park.Info about that HERE. When is beach driving allowed on the Outer Banks? Do not stop or park in the beach ramp area. What should you do if you get stuck driving on the beach on the Outer Banks? Driving is always permitted along the dune line throughout the 4×4 beach driving area. Any Law Applicable To Vehicle Use on a paved road in the State of North Carolina also applies to ORV use. Tow straps, shovel, spare tire, jack and jack board are recommended, and sometimes required to be in the vehicle. Vehicle must be licensed and registered for highway use. Only access the beach with a 4WD vehicle. Avoid getting too close to the water. ; Cape Hatteras National Seashore: a permit is required to drive and park on … Duck allows beach driving but is only accessible by private 4WD ramps. Get all your souvenirs, suntan lotions, beach towels, floats, kites, and more. Outer Banks Beach Driving Guide, Tips & Tricks January 5, 2018 / in Hatteras Island , Live Like a Local , OBR Blog / by OBR The beaches of Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks are some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the entire United States, offering great views of … This should only be done if your vehicle is larger and/or more powerful than the stuck vehicle, (or is about the same), and the stuck vehicle isn’t too submerged in soft sand. The only 1 stop shop on the beach. Truly an Outer Banks family tradition, Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant has been owned & operated by the Miller Family since 1982. To access the 4WD beaches of the Carova coastline, visitors simply take the sand ramp located at the very northern end of Corolla. Make sure you’ve got your permit decal in place before venturing onto the sand in these areas, they are patrolled regularly. Motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), and utility vehicles (UTV's) are prohibited. Date This permit is valid only if signed . Driving on the beach is allowed year-round at designated ORV ramps throughout Hatteras Island, and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Click on "Print Permit." They are allowed in isolated Portsmouth Island, which is located just south of Ocracoke Inlet, and which is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. I liked it better when you could drive on the beach for free but I will be on Hatteras four times in the next 8 months and three of those times the mutts will be with me so I got it. On the Outer Banks, it's practically an institution. The risk for damage increases the deeper the saltwater is, and the longer that the saltwater remains on the undercarriage of the car or truck. Visitors are discouraged from driving on the Outer Banks beaches with an AWD vehicle. For more than 30 years, Resort Realty has been providing unforgettable Outer Banks vacations. Proceed with due caution and consideration for other beach users. Visitors should pack along a handful of items to allow them to drive safely on the beaches, and to assist if they get stuck in the sand. Avoid driving or parking on the wrack line. Off-season beach driving permits can be picked up at the local town halls and / or at area tackle shops in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills. Even the most seasoned local beach driver can get stuck on the sand from time to time, and with a few extra precautions and measures ahead of time, getting stuck on the beach can easily turn into a funny vacation story, instead of a frustrating vacation headache. We offer free delivery. *If a purchase is made, OuterBanks.com is paid a commission for the referral. Observe posted closures. Return all fish not being kept back to the water alive, including skates and sharks. Air is often free for customers, particularly on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Duck - No public 4x4 access. Generally drive with 15-25 lbs. #31 of 254 Outdoor Activities in Outer Banks. After Corolla and Duck were developed, homes slowly started springing up along the Outer Banks northernmost beaches, under the assumption that NC Highway 12 would eventually follow its northern path all the way to the Virginia state border. For example, near the ferry docks, it's just a quick drive across the dunes to access the beach, but on the ramp closest to the village, drivers can expect to travel a long sandy road, (easily travelling a good mile), before arriving to the oceanfront. Do not litter. Click HERE for our recommended beach-driving equipment guide. To acquire a permit, a prospective beach driver must watch a 10 minute video regarding beach driving rules and regulations, and pay a weekly or annual fee, depending on the beach driver's preference. A 4WD vehicle is needed to navigate the soft sand. Please Drive Safely. Unless otherwise marked, speed limits are 25mph and 15mph or slower near others/pets/wild animals. 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