Driving on the Beach - What do I have to do to get a permit for this?

There are two different Over-Sand Vehicle permits. Both are valid from April 1 through March 31.

Permit for Norton Point Beach:

$60 for vehicles registered in Dukes County, or $100 for vehicles not registered in Dukes County.

There is a daily pass available for Norton Point Beach, costing:

$20 for vehicles registered in Dukes County, or $30 for vehicles not registered in Dukes County.)

Norton Point Beach no longer connects Edgartown and Chappaquiddick: the ocean caused a breach in this barrier beach in April, 2007. It is not known when it will fill in. There are trails that permit access from both ends, but they no longer meet in the middle.

The permit that covers Cape Poge and Wasque reservations on Chappaquiddick costs:

$180 for vehicles, regardless of where the vehicle is registered.

This permit includes one free Family-level membership in The Trustees of Reservations.

Please make sure you are applying for the correct permit(s). Each permit is valid only for the property it specifies!

Applicant must be the owner of the vehicle (no rentals allowed) and be present in car with following equipment

It is very important to lower your vehicle's tire pressure to no more than 12 to 15 pounds per square inch, to avoid getting stuck in the sand. A free re-inflation air hose is available 24 hours a day at the Mytoi garden entrance, to use as you leave. There is also an air hose, during the summer, at the South Beach entrance to Norton Point Beach.

OSV permits can be purchased seasonally from the Norton Point Beach gatehouse (at the entrance from South Beach in Edgartown), the Wasque Reservation Gatehouse (508-627-3255), the Dike Bridge Gatehouse (508-627-3599), Coop's Bait & Tackle, located on the West Tisbury/Edgartown Road next to Cottle's Lumber, Edgartown (508) 627-3909, and at The Trustees' regional office at 860 State Road in Vineyard Haven (508) 693-7662. They are also available by mail. It is an application form you fill out with your info and your vehicle info and mail in.

Rules and Regulations are listed on a flyer that The Trustees of Reservations ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) can mail or email to interested persons.

Please be forewarned that vehicle access to any beach area may be restricted at different times during the year, due to erosion, nesting shorebirds, the presence of rare or endangered species, or for other unforeseen reasons. In other words, The Trustees may unexpectedly close vehicle trails, and cannot predict when these closings may occur.

For further information:

The Trustees of Reservations

Islands Regional Office

(508) 693-7662

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

P.O. Box 2106

Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

ANSWERS COURTESY OF THE TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS