Beach Driving: Which Beaches Allow 4x4 Access and How to Get a Permit

For many buyers in New Hanover and Pender counties, the coastal dream isn’t just a view—it’s the ability to drop into 4WD and drive straight onto the sand for sunrise fishing, surfing, or a full-day tailgate. But in South Eastern NC, “beach driving access” is not universal. It’s a maze of seasonal restrictions, municipal rules, and permit systems.

If you’re looking at property in Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, or Topsail, here is the insider guide to where you can actually drive—and where you’ll be turned away.

The “Big Two”: True 4x4 Beaches in New Hanover County

Freeman Park (Carolina Beach)

The crown jewel of NC beach driving. Located at the far north end of Carolina Beach, this is one of the few places in the state that allows near year-round sand access.

• Permit: Annual permits (approx. $225 for 2025) or daily passes. Early-bird pricing usually appears in December and often sells out.
• Vibe: High-energy, social, busy. Peak-season crowds can be intense.
• Requirements: Rangers will check for a tow strap, shovel, jack board, and low-pressure tire gauge before you enter.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area (Kure Beach)

A quieter, more nature-driven experience at the southern tip of the island.

• Permit: Separate from Freeman Park. Typically $50–$60 annually or daily options.
• Restrictions: Alcohol is banned. Access may close during high tides or turtle nesting season.
• Vibe: Rugged, peaceful, and far less party-centric than Freeman Park.

The Seasonal & Fishing-Only Zones

Topsail Beach (South End)

Legitimate driving access—but only for part of the year.

• Season: Generally October 1–January 15.
• Use Case: Restricted to active surf-fishing vehicles.
• Permit: Required from the Town of Topsail Beach and tightly enforced.

North Topsail Beach

This is where most buyers get confused. There is drive-on access—but it’s not what they think.

• Access #3: A sand parking area, not open-strand beach driving.
• Reality: You drive on, park, and remain stationary. No cruising the shoreline.

The Brunswick County Myth: “I Can Drive If I Go Early”

False. Brunswick County beaches—Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle—prohibit public beach driving. Access is limited to emergency and municipal vehicles only.

If beach driving is non-negotiable for your lifestyle, you must focus your home search north of the Cape Fear River.

The Insider’s 4x4 Gear Checklist

Getting stuck isn’t just inconvenient. On a rising tide, it can be catastrophic. Here’s the minimum:

• Air Down: Lower your tire pressure to 20 PSI or less before hitting the sand.
• Tow Strap: Required at most access points.
• Shovel: For digging out around tires.
• Jack Board: A flat board that prevents your jack from sinking.
• Wash Station: Rinse your undercarriage immediately after leaving—salt + sand = instant corrosion.

Your Next Step

Beach driving access dramatically changes the lifestyle—and the resale value—of a coastal property. A home near the Freeman Park entrance offers a completely different quality of life than a home on a “no-drive” beach.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we know the lines on the map, the seasonal rules, and the permit systems that shape your 4x4 access. We are experts in listening to your lifestyle needs and communicating them into a coastal home search that fits your way of living. Let’s find a property where your Jeep is as welcome as you are.