It’s summertime in North Carolina, and things are getting hot, so heading to the beach in your four-wheel drive with your dog is a great way to cool off. Woodford always wears a fur coat and therefore he’s always warm so the best we can hope for is to enjoy the refreshing Atlantic ocean and cool breezes. We have a list of places that we want to visit this summer while we wait on our adventure van. North Carolina beaches are unique in that you can drive right onto the beach in many places and even camp overnight. Until our build comes in we will be driving the “sandy roads” in our 2018 Ford F150 Raptor and Woodford and I will be tent-camping or grabbing an AirBNB nearby.
North Carolina Beaches with Four-Wheel Drive Access
One of North Carolina’s best features is the beautiful beaches and the unique barrier islands called the Outer Banks, this skinny set of islands is also in my opinion one of the most unique beaches on the east coast. There are several beaches that are accessible for your 4×4 adventure. Also, since Woodford is always in the co-pilot seat, we always make sure the places we want to go are dog-friendly. Here’s our list of favorite places to visit along the Carolina coastline.
Carova Beach – Corolla
One of the coolest and most desolate parts of the Outer Banks is north of Corolla. During the summer months, you will need a parking pass, Dogs are allowed on the beach. And, the vibe is unique. Be careful there are tow services that will pull you out if you get stuck but they cost a premium. On the weekend in the summer traffic can be heavy so make sure you keep an eye out for jeeps, lifted pickups and other SUVs traveling along the road.
Freeman Park – Carolina Beach
This is a very popular spot for 4×4 camping on the beach but there have been times like this summer when beach camping has been suspended. Dogs are welcome, but you will need a permit which you can purchase online. It can be a little crowded on weekends but it’s still a great place to relax and enjoy the ocean views.
Portsmouth Island
Perhaps one of the most unique offroad experiences in the Outer Banks is to take a ferry ride, to Portsmouth Island. An Offroad Vehicle Permit is a requirement to drive on the beach. You also can’t drive to the islands, you need to take a ferry to the island. Make sure to familiarize yourself with all the rules for Portsmouth beach before heading out.
Fort Fisher – Kure Beach
I love the idea of driving up to the water’s edge and rolling out my fishing gear. Fort Fisher is one of my favorite places to do this. It’s a great place to drive out for the day and catch some sun and sand.
Considerations for Beach Driving in your All Wheel Drive
There are several things to consider when you go off-road on the beach. Sand isn’t as firm as pavement so you will need to air down. By deflating to 15-20 PSI your tires can “float” on top of the sand. Also, heavily traveled beaches may have deeper ruts and you need to make sure you have enough clearance.
Required Equipment for 4×4 Accessible Beaches
To travel on the beach you should have some essential equipment. I keep all of this in the back of my 4×4 at all times. In the event I get stuck I have what I need.
- Air Pump – Once you air down you’ll need to air back up. The local service station may be close enough for you to air back up but I feel a pump is essential.
- Recovery Boards – Recovery boards allow your tires to grip the ground without sinking in. MaxTrax (affiliate link) is the leader in the industry but there are plenty of other dependable options.
- Recovery Straps – Even the best prepared off-road driver can get stuck. You may need to depend on the kindness of strangers to give you a pull. In that case, you’ll need some recovery straps. Recovery straps need to be strong enough to handle the load too. Keep in mind your Adventure Van or other 4×4 may weigh 3 tons and up. Recovery straps will need to handle the weight of the vehicle plus the weight of the sand. I carry a variety of straps in my 4×4. These recovery straps from Smittybilt (affiliate link) have been helpful on a few occasions. I also like these rope shackles from Bubba Rope (affiliate link). They are lightweight, easy to use, and don’t rattle around in my toolbox.
- Shovel – You might need to dig yourself out a bit if you are hung up. Having a shovel can be one of the most useful tools to get you out of a jam. You can dig out the tires so you can get your recovery boards against the tires. I also keep a 3-in-1 shovel in my truck with a pole saw and axe attachment.
Optional Recovery Equipment for Offroading in the Sand
None of these items are necessary for off-roading but they can be very useful if you want to be self-sufficient on the sand.
- Winch – Winches are useful for providing a self-sufficient rescue. A bumper-mounted winch with enough pulling power to pull your rig out of the loose sand is a nice accessory.
- Anchor Point – If you are going to pull yourself out of trouble. You’ll need something to hook onto. It is unlikely that you’ll find a sturdy tree or another reliable point to hook onto. The DIY option is to dig attach your winch to a spare tire, dig a hole, drop in the tire, and cover the tire in sand. Or you can use a Dead Man’s Recovery Bag, that works on the same principle.
Take Your Dog and Hit The Beach
North Carolina is a great place to explore with your four-wheel drive. The 4×4 accessible beaches here are some of the best on the East Coast, and there’s plenty of coastline to cover. Make sure you bring your dog—most beaches here allow dogs on leash. Also beyond the pristine sand beaches and the cool water, there is nothing like the southern hospitality.