Where are you going?
State park, Suffolk County, National Park, town, and village beaches all use different permits.
Permits before pavement ends
Buy a Pass
Long Island beach driving is split across state, county, federal, town, and village rules. Start with where you want to drive, then match the pass to that jurisdiction and your actual use.
Always verify before buying.
Permit windows, fees, resident eligibility, nesting closures, storm damage, and access hours change. Use the official links below as the final source before heading out.
Start here
Pick the beach first.
What are you doing?
Fishing, surfing, camping, hunting, and general beach access can require different passes at the same beach.
Do you qualify?
Some town passes are resident-only. County, state, and federal passes have their own document rules.
Pack the gear.
No gear means no go. Most beaches require recovery equipment, tire gear, and activity-specific proof.
Pass wizard
Answer three questions.
Choose your beach and trip type to get a plain-English recommendation.
Near me
Find the closest listed beach.
Allow location access and the page will compare your GPS location to the listed beach-driving areas. Your location stays in your browser.
This will show the closest listed beach for 4x4 access based on where you are now.
Pass options
Which pass fits your trip?
4-Wheel Drive Beach Access Fishing Permit
- Best for
- Fishing access at designated state park beach-driving areas.
- Where it applies
- Robert Moses / Democrat Point, Sore Thumb, Gilgo, Hither Hills, Montauk Point, Napeague. Also includes Night Sport Fishing access privileges at listed state park lots.
- Eligibility
- 4WD vehicle, vehicle registration, driver license, NYS DEC marine fishing registry, required gear, and active fishing use.
- Timing
- Typically sold in winter/early spring and again after Labor Day. Access windows vary by location.
4-Wheel Drive Surfing / Windsurfing Permit
- Best for
- Surfing and windsurfing access at designated state park beach-driving areas.
- Where it applies
- Robert Moses / Democrat Point, Hither Hills, Napeague, and other locations listed in the state guide.
- Eligibility
- 4WD vehicle, vehicle registration, driver license, required gear, and surfing or windsurfing use.
- Timing
- Sale and access windows vary by year and location.
Outer Beach 4x4 Permit
- Best for
- General county outer beach access, fishing, and qualifying outer beach camping areas.
- Where it applies
- Smith Point, Cupsogue, Montauk County Park, Shinnecock East, Cedar Point, Shinnecock West / Altenkirch, Orient Point.
- Eligibility
- Vehicle registration, driver license, Green Key where applicable, required recovery and safety gear.
- Timing
- Sold year-round online and at listed Suffolk County park offices, subject to closures and seasonal restrictions.
Sportsman's / Recreational Driving Permit
- Best for
- Seasonal recreational driving for fishing or hunting access inside Fire Island National Seashore.
- Where it applies
- Atlantic Ocean beach west of the Wilderness Visitor Center near Smith Point, as designated by NPS.
- Eligibility
- 4WD vehicle, Pay.gov receipt, driver license, registration, marine fishing registry or hunting credentials, in-person pickup.
- Timing
- NPS lists purchase on or after September 1 for use September 15 through December 31.
Town Trustee 4x4 Beach Driving Permit
- Best for
- Southampton Town trustee roads and beach driving areas.
- Where it applies
- Designated Southampton Town Trustee beach driving areas and access points.
- Eligibility
- Town freeholders, residents, or taxpayers only. Non-resident 4x4 applications are denied by town rule.
- Timing
- 1-year and 3-year options are listed by the town ePermits system.
Village 4x4 Drive-on Beach Permit
- Best for
- Village drive-on beach access where a village permit is required.
- Where it applies
- Southampton Village beaches and drive-on areas as posted by the Village Clerk.
- Eligibility
- Village requirements apply; the village process references a Southampton Town Trustees 4x4 receipt.
- Timing
- Annual village permit process.
Beach Driving Permit
- Best for
- East Hampton town beaches outside state parks, county parks, and villages.
- Where it applies
- Designated East Hampton town beach-driving areas, with seasonal and year-round prohibited zones.
- Eligibility
- Resident permits and non-resident beach driving permits are handled by the Town Clerk / online permitting.
- Timing
- Town permits are renewed on the town schedule; beach driving areas have seasonal restrictions.
4x4 & Parking Permit
- Best for
- Sound-side Riverhead beach access for residents.
- Where it applies
- Wading River Beach, Hulse Landing WFA, Edwards Avenue WFA, Reeves Beach, Roanoke Avenue WFA.
- Eligibility
- Riverhead residents only for 4x4 permits; current license, registration, and vehicle insurance.
- Timing
- Hours vary by season; town beach permits run on the town permit year.
Rules and gear
What you need at the beach.
Smith Point Outer Beach
Pass: Suffolk County Outer Beach 4x4 Permit
Gear / documents
- Jack
- jack board
- shovel
- tow rope or chain
- fire extinguisher
- spare tire
- tire gauge
- flashlight
- first aid kit
- portable air compressor or air tank
Restrictions
- Use designated access only
- air down before entering
- avoid dunes, vegetation, nesting areas, and tidal flats
- permit must match the vehicle
- closures can happen for erosion, storms, or nesting birds
Shinnecock East
Pass: Suffolk County Outer Beach 4x4 Permit
Gear / documents
- Jack
- jack board
- shovel
- tow rope or chain
- fire extinguisher
- spare tire
- tire gauge
- flashlight
- first aid kit
- portable air compressor or air tank
Restrictions
- Use designated access only
- watch inlet and tide conditions
- self-contained campers only for camping areas
- avoid dunes and protected wildlife areas
Cupsogue Beach
Pass: Suffolk County Outer Beach 4x4 Permit
Gear / documents
- Jack
- jack board
- shovel
- tow rope or chain
- fire extinguisher
- spare tire
- tire gauge
- flashlight
- first aid kit
- portable air compressor or air tank
Restrictions
- Use designated access only
- outer beach camping requires qualifying equipment except hard-pack sites noted by Suffolk
- closures can happen quickly
Robert Moses / Democrat Point
Pass: NYS 4x4 Fishing Permit or NYS Surfing/Windsurfing Permit depending on use
Gear / documents
- Fishing permit: fishing tackle for each person 12+
- portable toilet
- tow rope or chain
- jack
- jack board
- shovel
- approved tires
- full-size spare
- tire gauge
Restrictions
- Permit use must match your activity
- no general beach cruising
- vehicle use fees may still apply
- summer entry windows are restricted
- no camping, fires, alcohol, pets, generators, or portable shelters overnight under the fishing guide
Sore Thumb
Pass: NYS 4x4 Fishing Permit
Gear / documents
- Fishing tackle for each person 12+
- portable toilet
- tow rope or chain
- jack
- jack board
- shovel
- approved tires
- full-size spare
- tire gauge
Restrictions
- Fishing use only
- follow marked access roads
- 10 mph maximum on beach access
- avoid dunes, wetlands, beach grass, nesting areas, and seal haul-out areas
Hither Hills / Napeague
Pass: NYS 4x4 Fishing Permit or NYS Surfing/Windsurfing Permit depending on use
Gear / documents
- Fishing permit: fishing tackle for each person 12+
- portable toilet
- tow rope or chain
- jack
- jack board
- shovel
- approved tires
- full-size spare
- tire gauge
Restrictions
- Use designated state park areas only
- permit use must match activity
- closures can occur for protected wildlife or beach conditions
Fire Island National Seashore East End
Pass: Fire Island National Seashore Sportsman / Recreational Driving Permit
Gear / documents
- High-clearance 4WD vehicle
- driver license
- registration
- permit payment proof
- marine fishing registry or hunting credentials
Restrictions
- Seasonal access only
- designated ocean beach route only
- no dune crossing or wilderness entry
- pickup requirements apply after Pay.gov payment
Southampton Trustee Beaches
Pass: Southampton Town Trustee 4x4 Permit
Gear / documents
- Town-required equipment and documents
- registration
- proof of freeholder, resident, or taxpayer status
Restrictions
- Available only to Southampton freeholders, residents, or taxpayers
- non-resident 4x4 applications are denied
- follow Trustee roads and posted beach access areas
East Hampton Town Beaches
Pass: East Hampton Beach Driving Permit
Gear / documents
- Appropriate 4WD vehicle
- valid town permit
- recovery gear strongly recommended
- air-down equipment
Restrictions
- Town permit required outside state/county parks and villages
- seasonal prohibited areas apply
- 15 mph maximum
- no camping in vehicle on beach
- stay away from dunes, vegetation, nesting areas, and undesignated access points
Riverhead Sound Beaches
Pass: Riverhead 4x4 & Parking Permit
Gear / documents
- Current license
- registration
- vehicle insurance
- 4x4 terms and waiver
- recovery and air-down gear strongly recommended
Restrictions
- Residents only for 4x4 permit
- Sound beaches only
- seasonal driving hours apply
- parking and 4x4 access are enforced year-round
Beach matrix
Beaches by pass
| Beach / Area | Jurisdiction | Pass to check | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Point Outer Beach | Suffolk County | Suffolk County Outer Beach 4x4 Permit | Open |
| Cupsogue Beach | Suffolk County | Suffolk County Outer Beach 4x4 Permit | Open |
| Shinnecock East | Suffolk County | Suffolk County Outer Beach 4x4 Permit | Open |
| Montauk County Park | Suffolk County | Suffolk County Outer Beach 4x4 Permit | Open |
| Cedar Point / Orient Point | Suffolk County | Suffolk County Outer Beach 4x4 Permit | Open |
| Robert Moses / Democrat Point | NYS Parks | NYS 4x4 Fishing or Surfing/Windsurfing Permit depending on use | Open |
| Sore Thumb | NYS Parks | NYS 4x4 Fishing Permit | Open |
| Gilgo State Park | NYS Parks | NYS 4x4 Fishing Permit; verify current access with Robert Moses office | Open |
| Hither Hills / Napeague / Montauk Point | NYS Parks | NYS 4x4 Fishing or Surfing/Windsurfing Permit depending on use | Open |
| Fire Island National Seashore east end | National Park Service | Fire Island Recreational Driving Permit | Open |
| Southampton Trustee beaches | Town of Southampton | Southampton Town Trustee 4x4 Permit | Open |
| East Hampton town beaches | Town of East Hampton | East Hampton Beach Driving Permit | Open |
| Riverhead Sound beaches | Town of Riverhead | Riverhead 4x4 & Parking Permit | Open |
| Nassau County / Oyster Bay beaches | Nassau local parks | No Suffolk-style public outer beach 4x4 pass; check local parking rules | Open |
Club rule of thumb