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Our 4X4's Are Dog Friendly And So Are Our Beaches
Welcome all four-legged friends
Our beaches, towns and villages can be fun and rewarding for both pets and their owners. Towns and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore have their own restrictions pertaining to pets both indoors and out. Please be courteous and clean up after your pet. All pet waste must be collected immediately and deposited in appropriate containers. Please contact each town and the National Park Service for any changes to pet policies. But know that the Outer Banks will always be a pet-friendly destination.
Duck
Dogs are allowed on the beach unleashed, but as a matter of public safety and courtesy, they should be under the watchful eye and contact of their owner. Duck beach accesses are privately owned by individual Home Owners Associations, and access is limited to Homeowner group residents and guests.
Southern Shores
Dogs are allowed on the beach before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. from May 15 - September 15. Year-round leash law. Dogs must be on leashes no longer than 10 feet. All pet waste must be collected immediately and deposited in appropriate containers. The same rules apply during all hours in the off-season.
Kitty Hawk
Dogs are allowed on beach and must display a current rabies tag. Owner/handler must remove feces and possess a bag/container for waste removal at all times. From the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., dogs must be on a leash not exceeding 12 feet. Dogs may be taken off the leash only if they will not disturb other people on the beach and must be controlled by the handler, who must remain within 30 feet of the dog at all times. Leash must be with owner/handler at all times.
Kill Devil Hills
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day of each year, no dogs shall be permitted on the public beach between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. unless being used to aid a handicapped person. At all other times, no dogs shall be permitted on the public beaches except upon a leash and under the control of owner or handler.
Nags Head
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round as long as they are restrained by a leash not exceeding 10 feet.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round if they are restrained with a leash 6 feet or less at all times.
Need To Know - Before You Go
Outer Banks Beach Driving
The Beach Is A State Road. Driving on the beach, the speed limit is 35 mph. When traveling close within 300 feet of any person, the speed limit is restricted to 15 mph max. The beach, including all parking areas, becomes driving areas after dark. At the end of each day, visitors please remove all your personal items (beach chairs, nets, poles, ropes, etc.) and level all sand structures (sandcastles, holes, etc.) to ensure the safety of those driving on the beach at night. Please fill in deep holes, this has become a bigger problem over the last several years. Driving a vehicle in a repeated circular motion (doing “donuts”) or driving in the surf are examples of careless and reckless driving. Our vehicles are not permitted in the ocean water. All vehicles to be driven on the beach and roads behind the dunes must be registered, properly licensed, and insured. Share the road, watch for pedestrians, horses, and other wildlife.
Before Heading Out For The Day
Fill your gas tanks! – there are NO gas stations on any 4-wheel drive areas. Use the 4-wheel drive mode on the vehicle and enter onto the ramp and maintain a slow, steady speed. To provide for both 4x4 enjoyment and the protection of park resources, please observe the following regulations and recommendations when using ORVs at the Seashore. For more information, please visit National Park Service at the links below. Beach driving is allowed year round on Carova Beach & Hatteras Island. October 1-April 30 in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills, use more caution here as it is much more crowded. An Off road vehicle use permit (ORV permit) is required by The National Park Service and is included with your rental price at A Swell Ride.
National Park Service Website
Alerts and Conditions - National Park Service
Off-road Vehicle Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Drive
Where to drive on the Outer Banks beaches and Town Information
- Corolla - 4x4 vehicles can access the beach at the Northern end of NC 12 where the paved road ends. 4x4 access North of this point is permitted year round. 4x4 access South of this point is permitted between October 1 and April 30. Driving at night is allowed.
- Duck - No public 4x4 access. Private access allows vehicles vehicles on the beach between October 1 - April 30 Southern Shores - Driving on the beach is prohibited.
- Kitty Hawk - Driving on the beach is prohibited.
- Kill Devil Hills - Driving on the beach is permitted with permit between October 1 - April 30 through designated access points. Vehicles must have current safety inspection, registration, insurance and license plate. Obtain a beach driving permit either from the Town of Kill Devil Hills or the Town of Nags Head. Through a reciprocal program, each town recognizes the beach driving permit issued by the other.
- Nags Head - Driving on the beach is permitted with permit between October 1 - April 30 through designated access points. Vehicles must have current safety inspection, registration, insurance and license plate. Obtain a beach driving permit either from the Town of Kill Devil Hills or the Town of Nags Head. Through a reciprocal program, each town recognizes the beach driving permit issued by the other.
- Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras, and Ocracoke - The beaches of Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island are managed by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Permits are required, and can be purchased online and sent via mail, or in person at one of the following locations: Coquina Beach office, Cape Hatteras Light Station, and the Ocracoke Visitor Center. Each vehicle must have its own permit. Vehicles must be registered, licensed, insured, and have a current safety inspection if required in home state/country. Vehicles must have low-pressure tire gauge, shovel, jack and jack support board. A spare tire, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, trash bags, flashlight and tow straps are recommended. ATV's are not permitted. Night driving is generally allowed from November 16 through April 30. See current access ramps and beach closings by visiting this page and clicking on the "daily beach access map". Obey all posted signs.
- Carova - Note: Parking permits are required on the Friday before Memorial Day until 11:59pm on Labor Day. Parking permit information can be found here. One of the most notable locations to drive on the beach on the Outer Banks is the small village of Carova, and the neighboring beach communities of Seagull, Penny's Hill, Swan Beach, and North Swan Beach. (Although visitors will find that generally the majority of locals simply refer to the entire area as "Carova.") To access the 4WD beaches of the Carova coastline, visitors simply take the sand ramp located at the very northern end of Corolla. From there, they can enjoy miles of beach driving, scenic ocean views, and if they're lucky, a glimpse of the wild horses, the area's first and most treasured local residents.