Driving on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore is known as Off Road Driving

Driving on the beach, or “off road,” is allowed at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, both along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound. However, fee-based permits are required along with a vehicle that is capable of driving in deep, soft sand and a set of basic rescue-oriented equipment: low-pressure tire gauge, shovel, jack and jack support board, full-sized spare tire, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, trash bag or container, flashlight (if night driving), and tow strap. While any street-legal vehicle with two axles is allowed off road if you think you can make it through the sand, I recommend nothing less than a high-clearance 4-Wheel Drive vehicle. However, I have received a few emails from people who argue that All-Wheel-Drive vehicles will suffice, but they do suggest the vehicles be high-clearance. From a recent National Park Planner visitor:

Great article! But one comment—your advice for vehicles not to attempt with AWD, well yes and no. Having beach drove many years in Coralla and Hatteras (and kayak camped on the Core Banks) I have to say then yes, most AWDs should not attempt (friend with a Honda got stuck in Coralla’s 4wd area), but no, not the case with Subaru Foresters— in fact one (you can’t choose your relatives) flew by me in my F150 once in reverse showing off! Think it’s about ground clearance, most AWD’s don’t have enough but a few do.  

You can also tow a boat or utility trailer as long as the trailer has no more than two axles. Camping trailers are not allowed, nor are ATVs, UTVs, and motorcycles.

I did not drive on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, but I drove just about every foot of beach at North and South Core Banks at Cape Lookout National Seashore and at the beaches of Padre Island National Seashore. At first I was very apprehensive due to the possibility of getting stuck. I had done quite a lot of “4-Wheelin’” on rocky roads, but prior to this the only beach I had driven on was Daytona Beach in Florida, and that’s as hard as pavement. However, my worries were all for naught, for with a 4-Wheel Drive vehicle and some common sense you can pretty much make your way through any type of sand.

Based on my beach driving experience, here are a few tips:

• It is recommended to lower your tire pressure to 20 psi. Be sure to bring a tire pressure gauge with you, and get to a gas station with air as soon as possible after leaving the park.
• If you are in soft sand, don’t slam on your brakes. This will cause the wheels to dig into the sand. In fact, try not to stop at all on the soft sand.
• When in soft sand, drive on the tire tracks of previous vehicles, as this sand will be packed down.

Regardless of your vehicle, you really need to contemplate the reasons for driving on the beach. If you would like to do so just because it looks like fun, you need to reassess your vacation plans. The undercarriage of your vehicle will be coated with salt that if not removed can cause rust damage, your vehicle will get sand in it, and you run the risk getting stuck. During my visit I saw dozens and dozens of pick-ups and SUVs driving along the beach without any problem, but I also saw one that got stuck just going up the off-road access ramp. The sand near the shore is usually hard packed; it’s the sandy road leading from the paved area to the beach that is often soft and deep. However, I wouldn’t let the thought of a towing bill scare you away, for just about any vehicle that gets stuck can get unstuck with a little help and the right equipment, which you should be carrying in your vehicle.

I see no reason at all for the typical beach-going vacationer to go through the trouble of getting a permit and equipment to drive on the beach. If you are local to the area and visit Cape Hatteras National Seashore all the time, that’s another story, and even then you need to have a good reason to do so. For example, maybe there is a great fishing spot you can’t get to easily on foot. Maybe you are a surfer or kiteboarder who wants to get away from the crowds. Maybe you have anxiety attacks at the thought of seeing another person on the beach and you must find seclusion. For what it’s worth, most of the beach drivers are fishermen who come to the seashore on a regular basis.