Beach Driving
Beach Driving Season
Four-wheel drive, state inspected vehicles with a proper Town of Nags Head permit/sticker, are allowed on the beach in the Town of Nags Head only from October 1st through April 30th each year. Driving times are thirty minutes prior to sunrise through thirty minutes after sunset daily. Display your sticker on the inside driver's side windshield of the vehicle per the NEW Town Code. Also, reduce tire air pressure to 20 psi or lower.
This permit is not valid in the Kill Devil Hills beach jurisdiction or National Park Beach areas.
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 bill of property with name of owner or resident), along with a current vehicle registration and driver's license.
Modified utility vehicles ("MUTV") as described in N.C.G.S. 20-4.01(27) shall not be considered an "eligible" vehicle regardless of whether the MUTV is registered or licensed in any state.
Please drive extra cautiously and expect more people to be on the beach now than have been in years past. Drivers must stay to the east or ocean side of any sand fence or dune vegetation.
Closures and Changes
See map for current closures and changes and visit our Facebook page for closures due to weather conditions. Sign up to receive email and/or text notifications from the Town when changes are made. Notify Me Last map update September 2023 - current beach closures will be reevaluated after 11/01/23.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Off-Road Vehicle Permit
The Town of Nags Head shares a border with Cape Hatteras National Seashore on our south end.
The Town does not provide permits for driving on the beach anywhere on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Please visit the Seashore's ORV Permit web site for more information on driving on their beaches.
Assistance
Unable to fish from the beach because you are disabled? Find information on this ATV Use page.
Beach Driving Season
Four-wheel drive, state inspected vehicles with a proper Town of Nags Head permit, are allowed on the beach in the Town of Nags Head only from October 1st through April 30th each year. Driving times are thirty minutes prior to sunrise through thirty minutes after sunset daily. Display your sticker on the inside driver's side windshield of the vehicle per the NEW Town Code. Also, reduce tire air pressure to 20 psi or lower.
This permit is not valid in the Kill Devil Hills beach jurisdiction or National Park Beach areas.
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. Must place printed online receipt on driver's side dash until sticker is received in the mail, then place sticker on inside driver's side windshield. Phone receipts are not acceptable. You will need your current registration and driver's license to purchase your permit.
Modified utility vehicles ("MUTV") as described in N.C.G.S. 20-4.01(27) shall not be considered an "eligible" vehicle regardless of whether the MUTV is registered or licensed in any state.
Please drive extra cautiously and expect more people to be on the beach now than have been in years past. Drivers must stay to the east or ocean side of any sand fence or dune vegetation.
Closures and Changes
See map for current closures and changes and visit our Facebook page for closures due to weather conditions. Sign up to receive email and/or text notifications from the Town when changes are made. Notify Me Last map update September 2023 - current beach closures will be reevaluated after 11/01/23.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Off-Road Vehicle Permit
The Town of Nags Head shares a border with Cape Hatteras National Seashore on our south end.
The Town does not provide permits for driving on the beach anywhere on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Please visit the Seashore's ORV Permit web site for more information on driving on their beaches.
Assistance
Unable to fish from the beach because you are disabled? Find information on this ATV Use page.