Beach Driving Permit

CALO Beach Access Status

This map represents beach access status at Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina.

 

Off-Road Vehilce Permit

Bringing your vehicle to the beach this season? Don’t forget to purchase your ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) permit! ORV permits must be purchased online through Recreation.gov.

The permit is valid for the calendar year and is required for driving on both North Core Banks and South Core Banks. The upcoming season runs from mid-March through December 31. Permits purchased on or before March 12, 2025 will cost $35.00. Beginning on March 13, 2025, the permits will cost $75.00. If you purchase your permit between January 1st, and February 28th, your ORV decal will be mailed to you. For permits purchased after March 1st ,you must show your printed permit to a Park Ranger upon arrival to North or South Core Banks to receive your ORV decal. Each vehicle must have its own permit and decal. The printed permit must be stored in the vehicle while it is on the islands. The ORV decal must be displayed on the driver's side top corner of the vehicle windshield or on the driver's side front fender of an ATV/UTV. Managing off-road driving at Cape Lookout National Seashore through the use of permits helps protect important wildlife habitat and recreational interests. The cost of the ORV permits directly supports these management efforts.

Important Dates:

January 1, 2025 - March 12, 2025 No vehicles are allowed on North Core Banks (Portsmouth Island) or South Core Banks (Davis Island).
March 13, 2025 - December 31, 2025 North Core Banks (Portsmouth Island) and South Core Banks (Davis Island) open to vehicles. ORV Permits are required to drive on these two islands.
January 4, 2025 ORV permits become available on Recreation.gov. From January 4th through March 12th, the cost is $35.00 for the 2025 season.
March 13, 2025 - December 31, 2025 The cost of the ORV Permit goes up to $75.00 for the 2025 season.

Note: A printed copy of the permit must be carried in the vehicle while it is on the island. To print out the ORV Permit, log onto your Recreation.gov account. Go to My Reservations, click on Cape Lookout ORV permit, and select Print Permit.

 

Surf fishermen with their vehicles.

NPS Photo

To obtain an ORV permit, your vehicle must:

• Create a Recreation.gov account

• Be registered, licensed, and insured and comply with inspection requirements for the state, country, or province where the vehicle is registered.

• ATVs/UTVs are not required to be licensed or insured in the state of NC. When purchasing an ORV permit for an ATV or UTV, please enter your driver's license number when asked for a license plate.

• Watch a short educational video on off-road driving at Cape Lookout shown below.

Receiving Your ORV Decal:

If you purchase your ORV permit between January 1st - February 28th your ORV decal will be sent to you in the mail. Be sure to include your mailing address when purchasing your permit. For ORV permits purchased on or after March 1st, your decal will be issued upon arrival on the islands. They can only be issued at the Great Island Cabin Camp Office (daily from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm), the Harkers Island Visitor Center (email to schedule an appointment), or by Law Enforcement Park Rangers upon showing the printed ORV Permit purchased from Recreation.gov. Failure to have the window decal while driving on the island may result in a citation. Decal must be displayed on driver's side left top corner of the windshield or the front left fender on an ATV/UTV.

 

Two ATV riders wear the proper safety equipment while riding on the beach

NPS/Sabrina Godin

Note: If you attempt to print the permit from your phone or mobile device, it will print blank. If you do not have access to a printer, ask the rangers in the cabin office to print your permit for you. All visitors who are driving on North Core need to print their permit before arriving to the island. Park Rangers are unable to print their permits.

Additional Information: Be aware that the Cape Lookout National Seashore ORV Driving Permit is not the same as the ORV permit purchased for Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Long term parking is not included with the purchase of an ORV permit. If you are going to leave your vehicle in one of the long-term parking lots, you still need to obtain a long-term parking permit.

 

ORV Driving on Core Banks

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Duration:

3 minutes, 49 seconds

Information on safely driving on the beaches and sand trails of the barrier islands within Cape Lookout National Seashore. This video must be viewed as part of obtaining an ORV driving permit for the barrier islands within the park.

 

Questions about Off-Road Vehicles Permits?

Contact us by email.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you bring your vehicle to the islands, read through the frequently asked questions to esnure you know all the driving regulations 

What is the speed limit on the islands?

Speed limit is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted. Slow down when passing vehicles parked on the beach as they may have young children or pets that may dart out from the vehicles without seeing you.  

Can I drive on the dunes?

Driving in or on the dunes is prohibited. Parking in between dunes is prohibited. This includes campers, trailers, etc. Driving or parking on vegetation is prohibited.  

Can I ride in the bed of a truck or UTV?

Passengers riding in the beds of pickups and UTVs MUST sit flat on the bed of the truck and not on side rails, wheel wells, camp chairs, coolers, etc.  

Do I have to wear a seatbelt?

You must wear your seatbelts while riding in vehicles and UTVs 

Are there electric vehicle charging station at Cape Lookout National Seashore?

Cape Lookout National Seashore does not have electric vehicle charging stations. If you are planning to bring an electric vehicle to South or North Core Banks, please plan accordingly. 

This is my first time bringing my vehicle to the islands. What should I bring?

Recommended equipment within the vehicle includes: low-pressure tire gauge, shovel, jack and jack support board.   

Before driving on designated off-road vehicle routes, Cape Lookout National Seashore strongly recommends that tire pressure be lowered to 15-20 PSI. The softer the sand, the lower the pressure needed. Re-inflate tires to normal pressure after returning to paved roads. Many local businesses have air pumps.   

Optional equipment includes a full-sized spare tire, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, trash bag or container, flashlight (if night driving) and tow strap. 

Can I drink alcohol while driving?

You cannot have any open containers of alcohol anywhere in the vehicle, including in the bed of a truck or UTV

I'm bringing an ATV. What are the rules?

ATV operators must be at least 16 years of age, wear a DOT approved helmet, wear safety glasses/goggles, and have only the manufacturer’s recommended number of riders. 

I want to have a beach fire. What are the rules?

Beach fires must be below the high tide line and no more than 3 feet in diameter. Beach fires must be fully extinguished with water. If you have a fully contained fire pit or stove, you may have it between the high tide line and the dune line, but not within the dunes.  

How long can I camp for?

Camping for more than 14 consecutive days is prohibited.   

I'm bringing my pet. What are the rules?

Pets must be restrained on a leash not to exceed 6 feet or otherwise confined at all times. Pets are prohibited within any resource protection zone closure.  

Can my vehicle have a lightbar?

Driving on beaches or back road at night with accessory light bars illuminated is prohibited.

Can I have fireworks?

Fireworks are prohibited.   

Can I have a metal detector?

Metal detectors are prohibited 

Can I fly a drone?

Drones are prohibited 

Additional safety rules

Do not drive between vehicles parked near the water line and the ocean. You may snag a fishing rod line.    

When parked on the beach, leave room for two-way traffic to pass safely. Park along the shoreline in a single row of vehicles no more than one vehicle deep.    

Stay informed about current and anticipated weather conditions and high tide events. Some sections of beach become impassable during high tide.  

Do not attempt to drive through any wildlife closures, or along the water’s edge in front of closures. For ramp-to-ramp closures, you must detour to the back road; for partial closures, you must drive behind the closure, along the edge of the dunes.  

Do not approach, feed, or disturb any wildlife. Report beached marine mammals to the National Park Service.  

Additional driving regulations

Reckless driving, such as cutting circles, throwing sand into the air, or defacing the beach is prohibited.    

Sound side driving is prohibited.    

Parking in between dunes is prohibited. This includes campers, trailers, etc. Driving or parking on vegetation is prohibited.