; While the first point may seem obvious, it's important to confirm that a particular stretch of beach is open to vehicles before you venture out. A top state park in North Carolina, Carolina Beach State Park was once named the Regional State Park of the Year and sits on the Atlantic side of a barrier island south of Wilmington.It hosts a secluded, wooded camping area with 83 sites, all featuring picnic tables, and grills. Part of what's known as North Carolina's Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle is a small beach community that offers 12 miles of pristine shoreline and incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Inlet. From there, visitors can enjoy miles of beach driving, scenic ocean views, and if they're lucky, a . Cape Hatteras Manteo 1401 National Park Drive Manteo, NC 27954 (252) 473-2111 Are you looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of urban life? Where can you drive and camp on the beach in North Carolina? Driving on the Outer Banks' central Outer Banks beaches during the winter, such as Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills, is also permitted. This is one of the few places that has exceptional beaches on the sound side, as well as the Atlantic side. (252) 564-4218. A daily pass runs roughly $30-$50 and can be . Here are 22 of the best seaside campsites in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. 06-22-2008, 03:35 PM CindyInRaleighNC . Answer (1 of 19): There are several states that allow beach driving, limited to certain beaches and permit required. Secondly, some beaches may require you to have a 4-wheel-drive access permit in order to drive on the beach. What are some of the nicest beaches in FL Panhandle, South Carolina, or North Carolina you can drive to from Atlanta? Hilton Head. There are several beaches that you can camp on in North Carolina. Where to Drive on the Outer Banks Beaches. Bald Head Island. Huntington Beach State Park. The customer support team is available 24/7 to assist. Coastal ATV outings can include the whole family. $ 50. for a 10 days permit , If you go north to Corolla you can drive on the beach with out a permit but you need one to park on the beach. We saw different sized parties partying along the beach, next to their cars/4x4s. Melissa Wiley. Bob's offers professionally-guided 4x4 open-air tours across the remote beaches of Carova. Beach camping holds a special place in my heart. By Hans Aschim. On the west coast of the continental US, there are beaches you can drive on in all three states, but it's pretty limited. Its has 24 miles of unspoiled shoreline & the communities are charming & the vibes are always good! Residents and visitors have long enjoyed the beach area now known as Freeman Park. Check the weather channel or a local tide chart for zip code 27927 for the best experience. Best North Carolina Beaches. NOTE: Paper receipt from online purchase is not valid at the gate and will not grant entry into Freeman Park. i think almost all of the outer banks. You can walk to the ocea. Charlotte, Wilmington. Day permits are $20 Website 252-357-1191 Directions. The closest beach as the crow flies to Holly Springs is New River, Hwy 24 Bridge, Jacksonville which is in ONSLOW, NC and is 100.90 miles away. Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher year round as well as various parts of Emerald Isle beach during the winter but its by permit only. Kiawah Island. View Unit. The longest stretch of beach road is on North Padre Island, where a 60-mile drive south of Corpus Christie on Park Road 22 highway will take you along the Gulf of Mexico and through Padre Island . Oak Island. The guided tour takes riders to the lighthouse in Currituck, onto the beach toward the Virginia border and out to see the wild ponies in the Wild Horse Sanctuary. For current Kill Devil Hills Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use, please click here. Wrightsville Beach is one of the most popular beaches for locals from across the state and has one of the best North Carolina beach towns. Most important, a permit must be purchased to access the Freeman Park Recreation Area via a 4WD vehicle, and permits are available as daily, weekly, or annual passes. Driving is allowed from 6 am to 7 pm 4/1 thru 9/30 and between 7 am and 5 pm 10/1, thru 3/31. The Sands Beach Is The Only Beach You Can Drive And Park On In South Carolina Posted in South Carolina Nature March 17, 2019 by Robin Jarvis The One Beach In South Carolina Where You Can Drive Right Up To The Water Native South Carolinians know if you want to drive out onto - and then park your car upon - the beach, you're out of luck. Using the Outer Banks as an example again, Cape Hatteras National Seashore requires access permits, while the nearby towns of Corolla and Kitty Hawk do not. Isle of Palms. The 5 Most Affordable Cities in Virginia. I believe dogs are suppose to be on leash during the peak summer months, but most I saw were running around. Old Dogger Retired Moderator Joined May 4, 2012 Beach driving is prohibited on the majority of nesting beaches in the southeastern United States by law, regulation, management plan, or agreement. The Outer Banks is one of the few coastal places where you can actually drive on the beach. What Outer Banks Beaches Can You Drive On? You can have a free guide mailed to you, or view our digital . Be sure to keep an eye on tidal changes and weather though, as there's. Beach driving is allowed from October 1st through March 15. Beach driving is allowed north of the paved NC Highway 12 in the Carova area year round. North Myrtle Beach - Ocean Drive Bedrooms: 3 | Baths: 3 full Sleeps: 8 Check-In Day: Sat Arriving: Saturday November 19. Enjoy a getaway at the Beach in this lovely 2 bedroom, 2 Bath home that's close to all that Carolina Beach has to offer. This beach, at the northern end of the Outer Banks, is very wide, and has gentle slopes to ocean. 12-27-2011, 10:19 PM ATLTJL Weekly Passes cost $60.00. But look no further! Ocean View Beach, Norfolk, VA. You must make reservations to camp. Ocracoke Island. Inside South Korea's . A fishing license is required in North Carolina and can be obtained before your vacation via the NC Marine Fisheries and Wildlife website, or a fishing license can be purchased at most any tackle shop on the Outer Banks. Glenn Brook/Hankerd Roads in Southeast Michigan. You can learn more about the region's marine life at the nearby North Carolina Aquariums at Pine Knoll Shores, located a 10-minute drive away from Atlantic Beach. There is private beach access in front of every little community or if you want to have a good day adventure then drive to where the road ends & and you can go to . assateague on the south end. Topsail Island. (A learner's permit is not acceptable.) All alcohol and open fires are prohibited. The always popular Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Masonboro Island are great places to visit, but we keep coming back to Kure Beach when staying in the area. 4x4 Driving on the Beach - The beaches of Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island are managed by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Wilmington is blessed with a wonderful downtown, family-friendly activities, incredible restaurants and breweries, and some of the best beaches in North Carolina. For current Cape Hatteras National Seashore Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use, please click here. Beach driving is allowed year round on Hatteras Island and October 1-April 30 in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills. Carova Beach Outer Banks, NC is four wheel drive only, best known as the home of the Outer Banks wild horses. Family-friendly Carolina Beach, 103 miles southeast of Fayetteville, has miles of biking trails, weekly fireworks shows and sandy ocean beaches. Make sure it's legal to drive on the beach where you are! Reduced tire pressure is critical to a good beach driving experience and 18-20 psi is strongly encouraged. Here, coastal pond and southern swamp forest mingle, creating one of North Carolina's rarest ecological communities. On the east coast, it's allowed just on certain beaches an. You can drive up to 10 mph on these beaches. Ashworth Condos are Managed by Elliott Beach Rentals providing vacation beach houses and condos in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina since 1959. . hey hows it going, i know you can drive on North Topsail Beach, but only in a little area, not much fun. Nearest major city: . Then you can take a 25 minute ferry ride to Ft Fisher. It's much closer than the Outer Banks. However, there are numerous private neighborhood beach access locations and wooden walk-overs for town residents, renters and their guests only. 3 reviews of Corolla Beach "Corolla (pronounced: "Kuh-RAH-Luh") is one of the most popular beaches in North Carolina's Outer Banks. The Outer Banks 4x4 Beaches are the place to go if you are looking for an adventure on some of North Carolina's best beaches. The beach is one of the state of North Carolina's most accessible beaches and several boutique shops, surf shops, and restaurants can be found in the easily walkable town. Reply #2 - Saturday, Aug 09, 2003, 08:52 PM. The magazine recommends a stop at Britt's Donut Shop, a Carolina Beach . North Carolina is a land of contrasts, ranging from miles and miles of coastal bliss to the rolling hills of central Piedmont to the towering peaks of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains at its western border - including 6,684ft Mt Mitchell, the tallest peak in the eastern US.. Because of the topographical variations, temperatures can vary on the same day by 20F or more from border to . Chartered Tours. Surf City Campground, Topsail Beach There's nothing more iconic than setting up a tent in Surf City. You must be at least 16 and have a valid license before you can drive an ATV in the park. Caffey's Inlet - lifeguard, soundside beach and pier. Norfolk / iStock/LorraineHudgins. Driving on The Beach in The Outer Banks. Barrier Island - gated community, lifeguard, wood walkway. Sunset Beach, North Carolina. You will need a permit to drive on the beach below Oregon inlet . Kill Devil Hills Beach - Kill Devil Hills History remembers Kill Devil Hills as the site of the Wright brothers memorial, where the Wright brothers flew the first ever plane on Thursday, December 17, 1903. All vehicles must display a properly issued pass. We have listed the most popular North Carolina beaches for you to find beach rentals with a single click. It's been ranked as North Carolina's top destinations! Tours are available March through Thanksgiving weekend, 7 days a week. Inspect your vehicle to make sure it is suitable for driving on the beach. However, some vehicular driving is still allowed on private, local, State, and Federal beaches for recreation, commercial, or beach and natural resource management activities. Please keep in mind, vehicle models vary greatly. Please ride and drive responsibly so the park can continue to provide maximum recreation with minimal restriction. It's only a two-hour drive from Raleigh, North Carolina's capital city, making it one of the most popular day trip destinations state-wide. Location: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Lock-in the price with Instant Booking. 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. The many possible activities visitors can take part in at Wrightsville Beach include swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and sunbathing. The Emerald Isle Police Department is at 7500 Emerald Drive, and the lobby is open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday. Observe low tide. Just north of the popular Outer Banks town of Corolla, Carova Beach offers secluded, private vacation rentals directly on the beach or tucked away in the sand dunes. Best South Carolina Beaches. 2020-07-30T20:39:00Z . Some of the towns here that support beach driving include Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton, Salvo, and Frisco. Among these beaches, check out our top two picks for North Carolina beach camping trips: Surf City and Cape Hatteras. Wrightsville Beach is North Carolina's most accessible beach from Interstate 40, located in New Hanover County just east of the city of Wilmington. Freeman park. Go to one of the best beach spots in North Carolina, the peaceful Cape Hatteras! It is a perfect place to bring your pet any time of year, since you won't have to worry about the rules changing with the seasons. This is especially important in notorious beach-driver-friendly areas such as the Outer Banks in . Pack up your 4 wheel-drive and get ready for North Carolina's most unforgettable off-road beach vacation. Four wheel drive vehicles may drive on North Topsail Beach WITH a permit and must enter through the Off Road Vehicle (ORV) Access area which is located at the end of River Drive, aka New River Inlet at Onslow County Beach Access 3. Carolina Beach, NC 28428 ***Available for pickup same day of purchase Monday-Friday, 10AM-5PM All annual permit purchases must be picked up in person -they cannot be mailed. Joyriding is not allowed and signs mark designated areas. Augustine Beach has five access ramps, including A Street, Ocean Trace, Dondanville, Matanzas Avenue and Mary Street, and you can also drive on Crescent Beach. Location. Corolla Outback Adventures in Corolla, North Carolina, offers guided tours of the beach on ATVs. See a full list of other beaches in the table below This beach is in a state that has an ocean or sea coastline. Wrightsville Beach Frequently abbreviated OBX, this remote ribbon of barrier islands offers an ideal escape. Roads We Love: Rt. Can you drive on the beach in Outer Banks NC? Website. County of residency will be based on the registration card. Beaches on Topsail Island Sunrise on Topsail Beach With over 26 miles of beach and three towns on the island - Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach, and Surf City - you can choose to be either in the center of the action or out on your own. Annual Passes cost $100.00. Annual beach permits are available for purchase for $50 (AB residents), $75 (Carteret County residents), and $100 (Outside of Carteret County residents) at Town Hall during regular business hours or online here. You must have an ORV permit for driving within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. May 19, 2006. And if you are military, then you can get a beach pass if . For more information, contact the Emerald Isle Police Department at 252-354-2021. You need to get a permit though, and bring fishing gear. Watch the following video, then take the beach driving quiz . Beginning October 1, 2006 - North Carolina law requires that any ATV . Amusement rides and arcades line the boardwalk, named one of "America's Best" by Food & Wine magazine. ; Have a 4-wheel-drive permit, if required. Why We Recommend This Beach Cape Hatteras is indeed a great destination to relax with your loved ones or by yourself. Spending Thousands of Dollars, Countless Hours, Enduring Cuts & Bruises, Then Driving Miles Away From The Nearest Paved Street To Conquer An Obstacle That Can Easily Be Avoided. Island beach state park. Dogs are allowed in that section. We also recommend 4x4 or AWD vehicles with at least 7.5 inches of ground clearance. See how we can help make your OBX trip one to remember with our 4x4 vacation rentals. Im not saying this is illegal, because there is also nobody there after like 8pm on every night and a cop told me that if theres no one there anyone is allowed to go in. Unlike other area beaches, Cape Lookout does not have any paved or hard-surface roads within its boundaries. Corolla beach is one of the North Carolina Beaches where you can witness nature, elegance, and quiet at once. Distance from Raleigh: 178 miles, Drive time: Approx 2 hours, 50 mins; We first visited Sunset Beach for a friend's wedding in 2008, loved it back then and thoroughly enjoyed it again during a recent visit in 2021 and it is near the top of our best beaches in North Carolina list. Reservations can be made by calling 1-866-330-7275 or online at freemanparkcamping.pmreserve.com. You Can Drive And Park Right On The Beach At Freeman Park In North Carolina If you're not terribly familiar with the North Carolina coast, then finding a beach where you can take your four-wheel-drive vehicle onto the sand can be frustrating. Washer & Dryer in Unit. The best beaches you can drive to in the continental US, according to TripAdvisor. It is the north end right past the pier. The town of Duck does not have any public Duck beach access. Beach type: Coastal . You can bring along Fido, but he or she must be leashed at all times. Four-wheel drive beach driving is popular all year on the Outer Banks' north coast, on Outer Banks beaches north of Corolla, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island. Considered by locals to be the jewel of Ocean View, the park also . Kure Beach. The required ORV Beach Driving Permit helps beach drivers maintain a safe, beautiful seashore environment now & in the future. You can drive on Carolina beach (one end) if you have a four-wheel drive and pay the fee. Search Carova Beach Rentals All Outer Banks Rentals. Cape Hatteras. The best way to start planning your vacation is to request our free visitor's guide. 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd. Oct 29, 2022 - Entire condo for $129. Daily Passes cost $20.00. At Ft Fisher you can drive on the beach for $15-ish for the day. 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. Call 252-453-8602 for more information. Travel, 2010 - Carova Beach, North Carolina "8 Best Secluded Beaches in North America" by Mother Nature Network, 2012 - Carova Beach, Outer Banks, NC; Corolla Outer Banks Visitor's Guide. Edisto Beach. Learn about local wildlife and history on your way to find the Wild Spanish Mustangs that inhabit our beaches and maritime forests. Check out the NJ Jeep invasion in Wildwood! The best access point it 3962 River Drive, North Topsail Island. More Information. We even saw a . It also houses a marina, miles of hiking trails, and provides a habitat for the Venus flytrap. Add To Beach Bag Although Ocean View Amusement Park memorialized in the 1977 movie Rollercoaster is now gone, visitors can still enjoy the 6.5 acres of exciting shoreline and boardwalk. 4WD access north of this point is permitted year round. These include the beaches on the Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Myrtle Beach, Coastal South Carolina Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort 4,045 Reviews View Hotel Myrtle Beach, Coastal South Carolina Dunes Village Resort 8,724 Reviews View Hotel Myrtle Beach, Coastal South Carolina The Breakers Resort 8,130 Reviews The beaches north of Corolla (aka Carova, home of the wild horses) and the beaches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Hatteras and Ocracoke islands) are open to beach driving year . 115 Baycliff Trail, Kill Devil Hills. Beach driving may also be allowed south of the ramp in the northern Corolla beaches from October through April. Emerald Isle is a hub for water sports, such as kayaking and paddleboarding on the beach and on the sound, fishing, and surfing. A classic Southern USA escape to the beach in North Carolina's Outer Banks Stretching nearly the length of the coast of North Carolina is a string of beach communities and untouched natural landscapes known as the Outer Banks. 8. Corolla Beach The northeast coast of North Carolina features Corolla Beach, where pets are allowed year-round as long as they are leashed at all times. Malaquite Beach, a 60-mile stretch of drivable coast, makes for a remote getaway where the pavement literally turns to sand. For current Nags Head Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use, please click here. Sullivan's Island. . Corolla/Currituck Beach. How Australia's Auto Industry Fell Apart. Although North Carolina law allows riders under 16 to drive small-sized ATVs, this is not permitted while in Cape Lookout National Seashore. Wrightsville Beach. Aug 28, 2015. Beach4x4. Pawleys Island. ; Have a general sense of the sand density. It is usually harder to drive on the beach at high tide, as there is "less" beach. This is true both for airing up and airing down, as well as for leaving vehicles in order to carpool on the beach. Folly Beach. Not too far away from PA but North Carolina's Outer Banks allow this in certain areas. You'll find both tent camping and RV camping recommendations for beautiful beach destinations like Fort de Soto, Cocoa Beach, and Folly Beach. 8. Canoeing and fishing are popular activities here, and campsites range from drive-up family campsites (tent and RV) to backpack primitive sites to canoe-up sites. Permits are new as of July 2017. Carolina Beach. Carolina Beach, NC. Emerald Isle. Apparently it is an extension of State Highway 12, meaning that you can drive on it if you have the appropriate vehicle and without needing a permit. #8. carolina beach is open year round and they stop manning the entrance usually around october and u can get in for free. 199 in New York's Hudson Valley. Find your perfect North Carolina vacation rental with the reliable industry leader. You can drive on the beaches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with the proper permit.