brianhuntRVA
New member
Had a blast out there last week. Saw some wild horses. Really fun place to just cruise around.
https://youtu.be/AZjdrgBThr0
https://youtu.be/AZjdrgBThr0
Off-roading in Corolla, NC - Video
- Thread starter brianhuntRVA
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mphillips_90
New member
Ive lived in wilmington the past 8 years. Corolla is an awesome place!
brianhuntRVA
New member
brianhuntRVA
New member
I don't think I would recommend it. It does specifically say "4wd area". I mean if you went at low tide and stayed in the more firm stuff closer to the water, and kept your momentum going, then you'd probably be ok. I've been stuck there in someone else's Honda Pilot who didn't actually switch to 4 wheel drive (user error) but I think that was also a matter of ground clearance because the tracks can be quite deep.
e60ral
Banned
It wouldn't, you would need something very light and perfect conditions for the ramp from the road down to the beach. A purpose built 2wd beach buggy okay, but a heavy 2wd SUV no chance
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beachbum52
New member
Just got back from a week there with my family - Carova beach is awesome! We like using a car tarp (forget who makes it, wife bought it on Amazon) tied to the roof rack and held down by sand bags, makes great shade. Don't have a good pic from this year but here's one from last summer:
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SendInTheCavalry
New member
I want to bring this back up, I am thinking of planning a trip there and concerned about the "off road" driving. I have a TRD Pro...
any tips?
I have traction boards.
I hear it gets dark there at night.
thanks guys
any tips?
I have traction boards.
I hear it gets dark there at night.
thanks guys
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
You should be fine if you have 4wd. Consider airing down to 15-20 psi if it’s loose sand. Feel free to PM me any questions. I’m no expert but will answer as best I can or direct you to a better source.
Good call going to the Outer Banks. We love it there.
Silver Supra
New member
If you REALLY want to get "out there" you should try the South Core Banks. Take the ferry over, rent a cabin and escape from the rest of the world. Once on the island there is no electricity, no grocery stores, nothing but ice and fuel - cabins have hot water and a gas stove. Come prepared with food and beer - but it's soooo worth it. There's nothing else quite like it.
Cabins | Davis, NC Ferry | Cape Lookout Cabins & Camps | South Core Banks Fishing & Camping
Cabins | Davis, NC Ferry | Cape Lookout Cabins & Camps | South Core Banks Fishing & Camping
lpsoldia311
Junior Member
OBX good lovin
My family gets together out there yearly at Corolla and one of the events is always the 4WD beach areas either in the North OBX (Currituck Cty) or down at Cape Lookout Seashore, it's easy fun and you don't need to gear up like you're going to Moab or Rubicon so long as you have 4WD. Unless you are just in the dead of winter in rain you'll always see a fair amount of people driving out there and usually a few that don't mind stopping to help since people actually live up there at Carova. Like others said it's not too bad as far as off-road areas go, just stay off the dunes and out of the water and you'll be fine until the last mile or so near the VA border where it gets super soft and very tight at high tide. The entrance ramp is indeed usually one of the worst spots and the tourists with low AWD cars generally are the first casualties to get stuck so if you can get through that everything else is pretty easy. If you have just basic A/T tires you'll be fine.
Also, hate to be a buzzkill but I'd rather it be known so some of you guys don't get popped enjoying any vacation up there as we definitely saw a lot of more sheriff's and tickets last summer than ever before. Currituck County requires a paid ($50 for 10 days) permit to stop if you want to set up during the summer months. If you are just driving through and temporarily parked and walking around the water, the sheriffs that patrol there generally won't say anything but as soon as you start pulling out any chairs or tents be prepared for them to stop and ask since it's a giant obvious permit for your rearview mirror.
^I've heard that South Core was fun and much more secluded and remote, just not sure my wife would be up to it as she needs her hot showers most we've done is the main North Core areas of Cape Lookout. During the day you can definitely go and have the beach all to your self and barely see anybody on either side or drive past once you get down there pretty far, even during summer times. Love it so I can finally let my dog run loose without worrying about any beachgoers complaining about him being on a leash.
My family gets together out there yearly at Corolla and one of the events is always the 4WD beach areas either in the North OBX (Currituck Cty) or down at Cape Lookout Seashore, it's easy fun and you don't need to gear up like you're going to Moab or Rubicon so long as you have 4WD. Unless you are just in the dead of winter in rain you'll always see a fair amount of people driving out there and usually a few that don't mind stopping to help since people actually live up there at Carova. Like others said it's not too bad as far as off-road areas go, just stay off the dunes and out of the water and you'll be fine until the last mile or so near the VA border where it gets super soft and very tight at high tide. The entrance ramp is indeed usually one of the worst spots and the tourists with low AWD cars generally are the first casualties to get stuck so if you can get through that everything else is pretty easy. If you have just basic A/T tires you'll be fine.
Also, hate to be a buzzkill but I'd rather it be known so some of you guys don't get popped enjoying any vacation up there as we definitely saw a lot of more sheriff's and tickets last summer than ever before. Currituck County requires a paid ($50 for 10 days) permit to stop if you want to set up during the summer months. If you are just driving through and temporarily parked and walking around the water, the sheriffs that patrol there generally won't say anything but as soon as you start pulling out any chairs or tents be prepared for them to stop and ask since it's a giant obvious permit for your rearview mirror.
^I've heard that South Core was fun and much more secluded and remote, just not sure my wife would be up to it as she needs her hot showers most we've done is the main North Core areas of Cape Lookout. During the day you can definitely go and have the beach all to your self and barely see anybody on either side or drive past once you get down there pretty far, even during summer times. Love it so I can finally let my dog run loose without worrying about any beachgoers complaining about him being on a leash.
Silver Supra
New member
The cabins have hot water. 
It's pretty remote but that's what we love about it.
It's pretty remote but that's what we love about it.
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
lpsoldia311
Junior Member
Good to know about the hot water and the surprising ferry cost (I do vaguely remember hearing something about them being private ferries and so not subsidized by NC like other main routes), I'm going to have get her interested in going there this year.
Ocracoke4ever
Member
Check out Ocracoke Island. Last southern island on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. You can see Portsmouth Island (Core Banks) from Ocracoke. Only accessible by NC ferries, small airplanes, or boat. No bullshit like mini-golf, movie theaters, etc. We go down there at least twice a year. Will be there the first week of May. Good fishing, great restaurants/bars, fun driving on the sand.
