Beach season is here and you’ve probably been preparing the beach towels, sunscreen, and swimsuit for the day on the sand. When you go packing your car full of beach equipment, there’s one thing to get excited about: Driving on the beach. For a limited time, you can take your vehicle directly on the beach — meaning you no longer have to carry all your gear across the dunes and onto the sands. Plus, you get to travel across longer distances and explore new areas of Walton County. So, if you’ve been dying to hold your own beach party from your car, now is the time to apply for the driving permit.
Applying for the Beach Driving Permit
You can submit your lottery application to the local county administration office up to May 10th. On May 15th, they will select 150 applicants to receive beach driving permits. They cost $135.00 for a 4-wheel vehicle and $40.00 for a trailer decal (for launching your boat). If you are selected in the lottery, you can purchase the permit starting June 1st at the Walton County Clerk of Courts in DeFuniak Springs and the South Walton Court House Annex. For a map of beach accesses, click here.
For more information about obtaining a beach permit, click here.
*Lottery applications are accepted up to May 10th. Submit yours now if you want to drive on the beach!
Driving on the Beach
Aside from cruising around the beach, there are a couple activities that you can enjoy with your car. One of the most popular is camping. Hauling all your equipment with you and having the chance to sit on top of your roof, gaze at the stars, and listen to the beach surf is an unforgettable experience. It gives a whole new definition to camping. For daytime activities, you can easily hold your own little beach party from the trunk of your car. Getting creative, you can break out the blender and start making some beach smoothies that quench your thirst the right way.
If you have better ideas on how to use your beach permit, feel free to share in the comments section below.
Tips for Driving on the Beach
- Decrease Your Tire’s Air Pressure to 20-25 pounds so you have a softer footprint and more traction on the sand.
- Drive slowly. Accelerating too quickly could cause a loss in traction and bury you to the axle.
- If you lose traction, do not spin your wheels to dig out. Decrease the tire pressure and shift to a low gear to get out.
- Give the underside of your vehicle a good freshwater rinse when you leave the beach (to remove corrosive sand & salt).
- Watch the tides and watch for pedestrians.
Life on Grayton Beach
Driving on the beach is a distinct characteristic that makes the Grayton Beach community unique. Having a great time near the water is easily reflected in our real estate. Beachfront properties and single-family homes come equipped with features that help residents relax and enjoy the Florida weather. Discover what it means to live in Grayton Beach and see what dream homes await you!
