beach driving in cape

looking to get some beach driving in, requirements dont see too bad but I see on some websites it says spare has to get approved and some say it has to be same as all 4. I have 4 275 60r17 geolander and my other is stock sr5 taco tires which is like between 245-265, 65 r 16. What are the requirements? are they different for different beaches and places and whats pricing for those who have actually done it?

 

The info you want can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/caco/cape-cod-national-seashore-oversand-beach-driving.htm

Specifically for spare tires: https://www.nps.gov/caco/upload/SPARE-TIRE-INFORMATION-2016.pdf

To save you the trip to the link, any full-size spare that meets the requirements:

17" 245 60 or > for example P245 / 60 R17

16" 235 65 or > P235 / 65 R16

The main issue is that donut and temp spares can't be deflated to the proper pressures for orv driving. They need to be 40-60 psi. Even though your tires are mis-matched, they meet the min width and ratios so I think you'd be good.

I also called their office this week. Still plenty of 7day and annual passes up for grabs and they are open 7 days a week from 8:00AM to 4:30 PM.

I happened to know where all this was because I am planning to head to Race Point on Sunday for some sand and sun.

They also post a current ORV map so you can see what is open/closed. I estimate about 4 miles of trails open right now - most of the trails are closed due to nesting birds... 4 miles is still more than enough for me to break in my Taco for some light-duty off-roading.

 

Updated map as of this Sunday. Only a tiny portion is open to over-sand driving now. We went on Sunday and still had a blast. Plenty of room, plus we got to see tons of seals and my wife and daughter think they saw a whale from the shore. No sharks, but warnings are posted everywhere.

 

Wow I can't believe this. I was literally just posting about this in another thread...tacoma world is great. Do you guys think it's worth it to get the 7 day pass? I'd really only be using it for one day. I just want to drive on the beach haha

 

I just checked the updated map. Doesn't look like there's must open

 

The 7 day is what I did for Father's Day. Only about a half mile by High Head Beach was open if that. Still was fun to drive onto the beach and drive a few passes up and down the shore. July and August are tough because the birds are nesting. Late August through November and March/April are supposed to be the best times to get your driving in.

 

I've been down twice, once with my old '93, once in my 2013. Well, more than one day, but one weekend both times. I ended up at Race Point since we could make a day of it. I ended up spending the day on the beach, went into P-town for some food and then headed back over to the beach for the night.

My only mistake was trusting a well meaning friend to lock the hubs on my '93. I went in using 2WD and put my rear bumper on the sand getting myself stuck.

 

Check out Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, thats where i go, great beach they allow fires at night. Annual pass is $170.

 

2017 Passes for Sandy Neck and Cape Cod open up this week for those who are interested. I plan on at least driving to Barnstable to get a pass for Sandy Neck. I figure if I decide to do a Cape run I'll just get a 7-day.

 

I really want to get at least a 7 day pass for cape beach driving but I work during the week. Does anyone know if it's possible to pick up a pass on the weekend or have them mail it out?

 

I don't believe they will mail the permit but they are there on weekends. I got my 7 day on Father's Day.

They have to inspect your vehicle, make sure you have the required equipment, and for Cape Cod at least, you also have to watch a video on the rules of over sand vehicle driving, safety, wildlife protection, etc. Once completed they give you the 7 day permit right there and stick it directly to your vehicle.

 

Yeah I kind of figured. Not sure it makes sense for me to take off a day at work just to get the pass. Oh well.

 

Looks like they're open on the weekends. That's a plus!

 

Yup! Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Seven days a week (including all holidays)

 

When I went down the first time with my old truck, I went down the 1st day of my vacation down the Cape and just grabbed it. the only thing that stunk was that my wife's family's time share is in Yarmouth, so it was still a solid 45 minute drive from the hotel to P-Town.

 

Yeah it's a bummer that it's literally at the end point of the cape. Whatever I'm going to pick up a pass this Saturday!!!

 

Decided to go with a Sandy Neck Beach Park Annual pass. Picked it up this Saturday, $170 for the season, currently 5 miles of beach open. The way I see it, West Barnstable is a lot closer than P-Town and if I get to venture out to the National Seashore, they always have 7-day passes.

 

The website says it's only for Barnstable residents. Is thag true?

 

Nope. I'm not a resident and got a Non-Resident sticker.