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Beach Driving in Virginia State

You are currently viewing Beach Driving in Virginia State
Beach driving can be lovely, but has many rules to follow to maintain the beaches and driver safety.
  • Post category:Blog

Virginia state has many gorgeous beaches along the east coast lining the Atlantic Ocean. You can walk along the water and bask in the ocean air throughout the spring, summer, and early fall months of the year when the weather is best in Virginia. But some beaches are even open for driving along the sand as well. Not all beaches allow it due to some environmental impacts the act can have on the beach, however, it is still something that happens.

The amount of driving on the beach also varies. Some have the sandy beaches open purely as additional roadways while others allow for leisurely drives where you can stop wherever to park and camp on the sand as well. So now the question is, what beaches can I drive on and what kind of driving is allowed?

Assateague Island National Seashore

This beach is a bit unique in that it is a barrier island spanning Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. In order to drive here, however, you do require a permit. This permit is the Over Sand Permit. There are designated spots along the Seashore that are marked in which permitted drivers are able to enjoy themselves on the beach. If you drive along this beach, you must drive continuously; this is not a beach that you can park and camp on.

In addition to requiring a permit to drive here, there are some strongly suggested terms and some required ones as well regarding your vehicle. It is highly recommended that your vehicle is a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. You can gain entry with a low-clearance four-wheel-drive, and you can gain entry with a two-wheel-drive vehicle. Officials strongly suggest against the two for safety reasons. Your vehicle must not exceed more than 26 feet long and 8 feet wide and cannot be 10,000 pounds or more.

They also suggest lowering tire pressure slightly before driving on the beach.

The Assateague Island National Seashore is actually the main beach in Virginia on which driving is allowed. Most others have entirely banned the action due to environmental issues driving caused, which is why permits are required for the Seashore even. The permit lasts for one year and can be used as much as a driver wishes to use it. If someone has not obtained the entire permit, they are then able to get a day use pass which allows them single day access to driving along the sandy beach.

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