ORV Permit OBX, NC

[brian4t]

Just returned from Buxton, NC, stayed right by the Hatteras Light House. For those who don't know you must now apply for an ORV permit to drive on the beach. The permit is $50 for 1 week or $100 for one year. You must watch a 10 minute video and sign off on the rules. No big deal but I'd rather not deal with it. The permits are issued by the National Park service and require you to place the permit on the lower driver side window. The permits are large and orange, wouldn't try skipping out on it, you'll get caught. Which leads up to my next point. Seems to be a case of a few ruin it for many. It clearly states no open containers when driving on the beach. I actually had to read it twice because at first I assumed they didn't want any drinking on the beach period. When you act like children you're going to be treated like children. My last gripe is this. My thoughts are charge the $50 to non NC residents and waive the fee for all NC residents. We pay the taxes for all these out of towners, let them pick up the fee. Hope this information is useful for anyone traveling to the Banks. For those who have never been but are thinking of visiting I must warn you. These beaches, attitude, people, places, attractions, history and flat out beauty are like no other. Once you go you have to keep going back, it's a bug.

 

[Trob20]

Well you could always go up to Carova, NC where there is no permit needed.

 

[shadow247]

Well you could always go up to Carova, NC where there is no permit needed.

It's Corolla, pronounced Caralla by locals. That's where the wife and I go. Less crowded, and less touristy.

 

[aha2988]

lol I'm curious what information they put on the video. I want to say they started charging for the permits to help pay for some of the storm damage from the last big hurricane that came through but i could be mistaken.

 

[hearno]

It's Corolla, pronounced Caralla by locals. That's where the wife and I go. Less crowded, and less touristy.

This.

 

[brian4t]

lol I'm curious what information they put on the video. I want to say they started charging for the permits to help pay for some of the storm damage from the last big hurricane that came through but i could be mistaken.

Stay clear of turtle nests, how do dig yourself out, don't try it in a 2wd vehicle, air down to 10-20PSI, air up after you leave, wash the saltwater off your truck, how to find ramps, don't get close to the ocean with the rising tide, no open containers, same rules of the road apply to beach (some idiots just don't get this one, pass on the right). Here it is.

Off-Road Vehicle Use - Cape Hatteras National Seashore

 

[gwcpa]

This.

Corolla is less "touristy" than HI? Don't know about that. Hatteras Island offers the best surf fishing on the east coast. Corolla is a place to drive on the beach, or rent a house up toward Corova. No real fishing there since there is no inlet.

Corolla is the land of the "sleeps 26" houses and one road of gridlock on check in and check out days. I'll take the relative quietness of HI.

But I agree, the park service "permit" and fee is BS. The goal is to get all beach driving banned. It is really killing the locals there, tackle shops, tourism. The locals are justifiably po'd about it.

 

[fourwd1]

A permit has been required to go on the beach at Assateague Island for decades.
Along with some recovery gear.

 

[USMCRUNNER]

It really is sad how much that area has changed. Buxton was pretty much my second home when I was a kid. Parents use to own a house in Frisco. Remember when you could drive from the point all the way to Billy Mitchel. Going to be in Hatteras the 24th and not looking forward to all the changes. Please tell me Orange Blossem Bakery is still around.

 

[Nervo19]

It's Corolla, pronounced Caralla by locals. That's where the wife and I go. Less crowded, and less touristy.

You must be a tourist too then or you would know there is a Carova Beach just north of Corolla. Carova is where most of the off road driving is. Only approximately 5 blocks of Corolla are not paved. When I first started going there the pavement ended about where the Food Lion is today! There were no stores other than Winks and no restaurants. They are now planning to build a bridge to it from the mainland so the sand road's days are probably numbered.

I go up there but I too but gwcpa is correct, it's the land of the mega houses now and New Jersey license plates.

I don't mind the passes required for Hatteras Island driving. To me the people who use the off road areas are helping to maintain them much the way fishermen and hunters buy licenses. In years passed I've observed some really stupid stuff and maybe more enforcement will clean it up.

 

[Nervo19]

. Please tell me Orange Blossem Bakery is still around.

Is that the place that makes "Big Uglies?" If so yes they are there.

 

[USMCRUNNER]

Is that the place that makes "Big Uglies?" If so yes they are there.

Good deal. Your thinking apple ugly and they are awesome!

 

[shadow247]

You must be a tourist too then or you would know there is a Carova Beach just north of Corolla. Carova is where most of the off road driving is. Only approximately 5 blocks of Corolla are not paved. When I first started going there the pavement ended about where the Food Lion is today! There were no stores other than Winks and no restaurants. They are now planning to build a bridge to it from the mainland so the sand road's days are probably numbered.

I go up there but I too but gwcpa is correct, it's the land of the mega houses now and New Jersey license plates.

I don't mind the passes required for Hatteras Island driving. To me the people who use the off road areas are helping to maintain them much the way fishermen and hunters buy licenses. In years passed I've observed some really stupid stuff and maybe more enforcement will clean it up.

Not a tourist, I live in Hampton Roads, so I frequently go to the outer banks. I know it's called Carova beach, but anyone not from around there will know it as Corolla, which is the name of the town. I really enjoy the coffee shop next to the Conoco across from the library, they make some great drinks.

 

[brian4t]

Not a tourist, I live in Hampton Roads, so I frequently go to the outer banks. I know it's called Carova beach, but anyone not from around there will know it as Corolla, which is the name of the town. I really enjoy the coffee shop next to the Conoco across from the library, they make some great drinks.

Let's not forget about the Bad Bean...

THE BAD BEAN

 

[shadow247]

Let's not forget about the Bad Bean...

THE BAD BEAN

That place looks cool. We never really make into Kill Devil Hills though. My trips to OBX usually consist of driving down to Corolla on Sunday morning, spending 3-5 hours playing on the beach, then driving back.

 

[brian4t]

That place looks cool. We never really make into Kill Devil Hills though. My trips to OBX usually consist of driving down to Corolla on Sunday morning, spending 3-5 hours playing on the beach, then driving back.

They've got one in Corolla as well. Try it for lunch one day, it won't disappoint.