South of the resort towns, the Outer Banks stretches into the Cape Hatteras National Seashore — miles of beach with designated off-road vehicle routes, numbered ramps, and some of the best surf fishing on the East Coast. Every vehicle we rent carries the required Cape Hatteras ORV permit, so the southern beaches are open to you from day one.
One pickup lot: 2101 Colington Rd, Kill Devil Hills. Open 7 days a week, 7 AM–8 PM.
Free parking for your car or RV while you rent. There is no pickup location on Hatteras Island or Ocracoke — you pick up here and drive the Jeep south. NC-12 is one road, no turns.
Driving the Seashore
Beach access on the seashore runs through numbered ORV ramps — you enter and leave the sand only at the ramps, and drive only on the designated routes. The speed limit on the beach is 15 mph unless posted otherwise. Sections of beach close seasonally to protect nesting shorebirds and sea turtles, and the closures move with the wildlife, so check the current route status before you head out. From May 1 through September 14, seashore beaches are closed to night driving for sea turtle nesting.
On to Ocracoke
At the south end of Hatteras Island, the road ends at the ferry dock. The NCDOT vehicle ferry to Ocracoke is free through 2026 and runs first-come, first-served — no reservations, you just line up and roll aboard. It lands at the north end of Ocracoke Island, where the seashore’s ORV routes continue and your permit still applies. Ocracoke’s beaches are the quietest on the Outer Banks, and arriving with your own 4x4 means the whole island is yours to reach. How long that line runs by season and hour, plus the live dock cameras, is covered in our sister guide: is the Hatteras ferry running today, and how long is the wait.
Make the crossing the opening act: our sister site runs Blackbeard’s Ocracoke Treasure, a self-guided hunt through Ocracoke village, Springer’s Point and Teach’s Hole — and if you’re renting for the trip, our Ocracoke Jeep rentals page covers how the ferry run works.
Bring the Fishing Gear
The seashore’s beaches are a surf-fishing destination in their own right, and driving on the sand is what makes it work — rods, coolers, and bait ride with you to the water’s edge. The Jeep Gladiator is built for exactly this trip, with a pickup bed for the gear, and rod racks are available with any rental. Dogs are welcome on seashore beaches, leashed — and they ride free in our vehicles.
Planning Notes
- The Cape Hatteras ORV permit is already on every vehicle we rent — nothing to buy or print
- Air down before the ramps and engage 4WD before the sand — the full routine is in our beach driving tips
- Recovery gear rides in every rental
- Check posted closures and current ramp status before you drive — they change with the seasons and the wildlife
Make It a Trip
Pair the southern seashore with the northern beaches at Corolla and Carova and you’ve driven the Outer Banks end to end. Any 4x4 in our fleet makes the run — Wrangler, Gladiator, or an three-row SUV — at the same rates: $300 for a day up to $1,338 flat for the week, detailed on the rental prices page. Pick up at 2101 Colington Rd in Kill Devil Hills, 7 days a week, 7 AM to 8 PM for reservation holders, or get in touch with questions.