http://www.outerbanks.org/visitor_services/beach_information/offroad_vehicles.asp

Corolla - Driving permitted after the paved road ends heading north through Corolla. Beach driving is also permitted from Oct 1st. - April 30th at designated beach accesses. Speed limit 25 mph unless otherwise marked.

Duck - No Driving permitted

Southern Shores - No Driving permitted

Kitty Hawk - No Driving permitted

Kill Devil Hills - Driving permitted Oct. 1 thru April 30th (some areas may be closed to driving due to beach erosion and unsafe conditions). Speed limit 25 mph unless otherwise marked.

Nags Head - Oct. 1 thru April 30th a beach driving permit needed ($25) Available at the Nags Head Town offices and many tackle shops. Speed limit 25 mph unless otherwise marked.

Hatteras Island to Ocracoke - Signs located at the various beach access ramps will state if driving is permitted on that particular area of the beach (see below). Speed limit 25 mph unless otherwise marked.

Rules and Regulations

Driving an off-road vehicle (ORV) on the beach can be fun and adventurous, but where beach driving is permitted, there are general rules to follow: The Standard speed limit is 25mph; enter and leave the beach only at designated, open ramps - never between or on the dunes; drive only on that portion of the beach which lies between the foot of the dunes and the ocean; proceed with caution and consideration for other beach users; open containers of alcohol are prohibited in vehicles; your vehicle must have a state road registration and valid license plate; the operator must have a current driver's license.
The use of off-road vehicles (ORV) on the beaches along Hatteras National Seashore is permitted year-round, with some limitations. No permit is currently required to drive on the National Park Service (NPS) beaches, but it is advisable to check with a ranger to understand NPS guidelines and assure that you are not entering a closed zone. Please not that driving in the Pea Island Refuge is strictly prohibited. For current information on open zones and guidelines, contact the National Park Service Headquarters, Cape Hatteras Group at 252.473.2111, or visit any NPS visitor center facility located throughout the park.

Tips for Beach Driving

When pulling into the access ramp you should decrease the air pressure in your tires to 20-25 pounds. In softer sand you may need to go lower. When you lower the air pressure it gives the tire a wider, softer foot print which causes the vehicle to ride higher on top of the sand instead of digging down into it. This also helps to reduce the amount of strain on the engine since you're rolling on top of the sand and not plowing through it. Be sure to inflate your tires when returning to the roadway. Driving with underinflated tires can be dangerous.

Drive at a slow, even pace. The maximun speed limit on all beaches is 25 MPH. Trying to take off too fast will cause loss of traction and bury you to the axle. If this happens, it's time to break out the jack and shovel.

Try to stay in the ruts made by other vehicles unless they are deep enough to let you bottom out. The sand in these ruts is more compact than other sand.
Avoid pea gravel beds (small stones ususally orange in color.) These are the Outer Banks version of quick sand to vehicles.

Avoid areas of the beach that may be impassable at times of high tide unless you plan to stay at the spot until the next low tide.

Park above the high tide line if possible, but be cautious not to block other vehicles.
In the event that you do lose traction, DO NOT spin your wheels to try to dig out of it. It only takes a couple of pumps on the gas to sink you down to your axle. The best solution is to decrease your tire pressure, shift to low range and back out of the rut you came in on before trying to proceed.

Don't drive between parked vehicles and the shoreline (except in the area north of Corolla where the road to Carova Beach is on the beach itself and the traffic lane is between the ocean and any parked vehicles. The speed limit for this area is 25)

Items To Carry with You
Tire Pressure Guage
Tow Strap or Rope (at least 14' long with a load strength of 20,000 lbs.)
Shovel
Bumper Jack
Board sufficient to support base of jack (otherwise the jack may sink in the sand)
Flashlight
First Aid Kit

For more information, contact the respective town's administrative office at:

Southern Shores
252-261-2394
http://www.southernshores.org
Town Of Kitty Hawk
252-261-3552
http://www.townofkittyhawk.org
Town of Kill Devil Hills
252-449-5300
http://www.kdhnc.com
Town of Nags Head
252-441-5508
http://www.townofnagshead.net
Dare County Offices
252-475-5000
http://www.co.dare.nc.us
Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
252-473-2138
http://www.outerbanks.org
Currituck County Offices
252-232-2075
http://www.co.currituck.nc.us
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
252-473-2111
http://www.nps.gov/caha/

that is informative......thanks

Is it necessary to air down when beach driving? If I need to, what do you do about the tire pressure monitoring system?

Well, depending on tires I would assume, there may be a need to air down. Last fall when we had our group OBX meet I don't think anyone aired down when we hit the beach. I know for myself I had no problems whatsoever but I had recently put new tires on my FJ. For piece of minnd I would air down if I had street tires or worn tires such to make for a better foot print on the sand.

As for the TPMS, it is just a light. Right now I have aftermarket wheels on my FJ and the TPMS light is on all the time. There is no chime and it truly does not bother me to be on. I also asked the shop where I get me FJ inspected each year if having this light on would cause them to fail my FJ at inspection, they said no.

Thanks sooo much for the info. I am planning on an overnight trip to Manteo tomorrow and hope to try my new FJ on the beach. I do not think I will have any trouble in the Kill Devil Hills area... Thanks again!

Thanks a bunch Jami. Had a great time at the Outer Banks and my wife loved it also. I did air down as the sand was very dry and deep at Kill Devils Hills and the FJ did great. Can't wait for more day trips to Oregon Inlet for the bluefish!!!