Whether it’s convenient access for fishing or camping or just a joy ride with an oceanfront view that you’re after, you can drive right on the beach in these coastal cities — just be sure to read the fine print.
Some destinations restrict access during certain times of the day or year, while others require drivers to obtain a permit or use specific access points. In cases where the sand is soft, like the Outer Banks, be prepared to deflate your tires slightly for an easier ride. Below, we’ve rounded up seven vehicle-friendly beach destinations, fine print included, to put on your bucket list.
Daytona Beach, Florida
What started as a racing tradition at the turn of the 20th century is now one of the most popular features of this famous Florida beach. Driving is permitted on specific areas of Volusia County beaches, including parts of Daytona Beach’s 23-mile coastline, typically between sunrise and sunset. For non-resident visitors without a permit, fees of $30 per vehicle, per day, apply.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Just 20 minutes south, Daytona Beach’s quieter cousin, New Smyrna Beach, also allows cars on some of its sandy shores. For a fee, visitors can travel in designated areas between Beachway Avenue and 27th Avenue, which provides nearly four miles of drivable beachfront. Kids in tow? Check out 27th Avenue Park for a playground and beach cabana with picnic tables.
Amelia Island, Florida
For just a $2 fee, four-wheel-drive vehicles can drive and park directly on the sand at Amelia Island State Park, which has more than 200 acres of unspoiled beachfront on the Southern edge of Amelia Island. Horseback riding on the beach is a popular activity as are hunting for shells and shark teeth.
St. Augustine Beach and Vilano Beach, Florida
Perfect for history buffs, surfers and everyone in between, Vilano Beach and portions of St. Augustine Beach are accessible to four-wheel-drive vehicles when weather, tides and beach conditions permit. St. Johns County maintains a list and map of vehicle access ramps.
Port Royal, South Carolina
Near Beaufort, The Sands beach in Port Royal is popular with visitors looking for a breezy place to fly a kite. It’s also the only public beach in the state where driving is permitted. The beach is free to visit and offers a ramp for boat access.
Carolina Beach, North Carolina
On the north end of Carolina Beach in Freeman Park, four-wheel-drive vehicles can drive right onto the sand, making it easy to spread out next to the dunes and waving seagrasses for a day of fishing and scavenging for seashells. A daily access pass of $30 to $50, depending on the time of year, applies to all vehicles, but note that camping as well as access to the northern end of the park is currently restricted due to erosion and hide tides.
The Outer Banks, North Carolina
You can drive on the beach year round on Hatteras Island and from October 1 through April 30 in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills. Drivers are required to obtain an Off-Road Vehicle Permit from the National Park Service, but it’s quick and easy to do in advance online. Don’t forget to lower the pressure of your tires first to drive safely over the soft sand.