Is it legal to drive on the beach in Northeast Florida? See our list

A sign marks the end of beach driving on American Beach Friday April 4, 2025 in Fernandina Beach, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Spring break has arrived in Jacksonville. And for many spring breakers, that means piling into the car with friends, blasting music, and heading straight for the nearest stretch of sand.

Some beachgoers take that idea a step further, loading up a four-wheel drive with coolers, beach chairs and umbrellas and driving right onto the sand. But that raises a common question: Is it legal to drive on Florida's beaches?

The answer is yes, but only in certain places. A handful of beaches across the state allow vehicles, while many others ban them entirely. In Jacksonville, only one beach allows beach driving.

Here’s a look at some beaches in Northeast Florida where you can drive on this spring break and how much it costs to get a beach driving pass in each area.

Is it legal to drive on the beach in Florida?

There aren’t many beaches you can drive on in Florida, but there are a few. And for all of them, you have to pay for a pass to drive on the sand.

According to the FWC, “Operating vehicles, including ATVs, on the beach can destroy wildlife habitat and be harmful or fatal to wildlife. This is one reason that, in many areas, beach-driving is strictly prohibited year-round to all but authorized personnel.”

Driving on the beach can put sea turtle and sea bird nests in danger, so it’s important to only drive on beaches where and when it’s allowed. 

Driving on the beach is more common in Volusia and St. Johns counties. There are also a couple of places where you can drive on the beach in Duval and Nassau counties.

Where in Jacksonville can you drive on the beach?

In Duval County, there's only one beach you can drive on: Huguenot Memorial Park. There are also places to drive on the beach in neighboring Nassau and St. Johns counties, but you can only drive on the beach in Nassau if you're a resident.

Want to go beach driving in Jacksonville? Try Huguenot Memorial Park

“You can drive and park directly on the beach, but please be mindful of the tide and sections that are closed for shorebird nesting,” Timucuan Parks' website says.

Additionally, beachgoers should watch the tide changes around sandbars to avoid getting stuck in the sand during the day.

How much does it cost to drive at Huguenot Memorial Park?

It costs around $5 per car to drive on the beach at Huguenot Memorial Park (up to 6 people), $1 for each additional person beyond six.

Where is Huguenot Memorial Park?

Huguenot Memorial Park is located at 10980 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226.

Is it legal to go beach driving in Nassau County, Amelia Island?

Nassau County allows only county residents, those with a valid U.S. Military ID, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles personnel to drive on the beach. According to Amelia Island’s website, “Vehicles are permitted and driving on the beach is allowed with a permit at Burney Beach Park, Scott Road and Peter's Point.”

According to the Nassau County Parks and Recreation website, only four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles are allowed to drive on the beach. ATVs, scooters, dirt bikes, motorcycles or similar motorized vehicles are not permitted to drive on the beach. There are also certain hours when driving on the beach is prohibited.

"No motorized vehicles shall be allowed on the Atlantic Ocean Beaches between the hours of 7:30 p.m. - 7:30 a.m. between the dates of May 1 and October 31 (sea turtle nesting season). Between November 1 and April 30 no motorized vehicles shall be allowed on the Atlantic Ocean Beaches between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.," the Nassau County Parks and Recreation website says.

"The Amelia Island State Park Access and portions of the beach controlled by the Amelia Island State Park are subject to rules and regulations applicable to the Park."

Is it legal to go beach driving in St. Johns County?

You can drive on the beach in a few places in St. Johns County, but you have to buy a pass. There are 12 miles of St. Johns County beaches that allow beach driving.

Annual passes are $50 for county residents and $100 for non-residents. Daily passes are $10 for both county residents and non-residents. From May 1 through Oct. 31, beach driving is only allowed between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., due to sea turtle nesting. From Nov. 1 through April 30, county-managed gates remain open overnight unless a weather event or emergency condition requires closure.

According to St. Johns County’s website, “Vehicular access is dependent on beach conditions — weather, sand, or tides may cause ramps to temporarily close or limit access to four-wheel drive vehicles. Daily driving conditions are posted to our Facebook and X accounts (follow SJC Beaches) and in the Reach the Beach Mobile App.”

• Vilano
• Porpoise Point
• A Street
• Ocean Trace Road
• Dondanville Road
• Matanzas Avenue
• Mary Street
• Crescent Beach (Cubbedge Road)

Is it legal to drive on the beach in Daytona Beach and Volusia County?

Yes. If you’re looking for more beach-driving options, the closest major destination to Jacksonville is Daytona Beach, less than a 1.5-hour drive away.

Which beaches in Daytona allow driving on the beach? How to check?

In Volusia County, beach driving and parking are allowed in designated areas along the shoreline, making it one of the most well-known places in Florida where visitors can actually drive onto the sand.

"Make sure to park on the seaward side of the conservation zone. Your vehicle must not cross beyond the conservation zone markers. Park either facing the ocean or backing into your spot toward the dunes," the Volusia County website says.

"Beach driving is offered at beach ramps in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach and Ponce Inlet. While most vehicles are allowed to drive on the beach, front-elevated vehicles are not permitted," according to Parkvolusia.org.

"Elevated vehicles with front fender height alterations exceeding four inches compared to the rear are not authorized."

How much does it cost to drive on the beach in Florida?

It depends on where you'd like to drive on the beach and whether you're a resident of the same county where the beach is located.

"From March 1 through September 30, vehicles are required to pay a vehicle access toll and obtain a beach pass. Daily and annual beach passes may be purchased at access ramps," the St. Johns County website says.

In St. Johns County, passes to drive on the beach cost $50, and non-resident passes are double that at $100. St. Johns County also offers an ADA-accessible pass for $40. Daily passes for residents and non-residents are $10 each.

In Duval County, driving on the beach at Huguenot Memorial Park costs $5 for a car with up to six people, plus $1 per additional person.

In Daytona Beach and other Volusia beaches, there's a $30 fee for a daily pass to drive on the beach, and an annual visitor pass to drive on Volusia County beaches is $150. Volusia County residents no longer have to pay to drive on the beach, but do have to sign up for a pass to do so.

"The Volusia County Council voted to waive fees for residents to drive on the beach and to park at County-owned off-beach parking lots," the Volusia County website says.

"Daily beach parking fees can be paid upon arrival at a County-owned off-beach parking lot or beach ramp booth. Annual passes are no longer available for purchase at the beach ramp booths and cannot be purchased at off-beach parking lots. Volusia County residents must register for their free combination on-beach/off-beach annual pass online at www.parkvolusia.org or in person at one of two ParkVolusia offices."

The free beach parking permit doesn't include access to Lighthouse Point Park or Smyrna Dunes Park.

Safety tips to protect wildlife (from FWC) to keep in mind if you are planning to drive on the beach

Sea turtle nesting season begins in Florida on March 1, just before spring break. And beach-nesting birds are active in many coastal regions around the state from mid-February through the end of the summer, so it's important to be cautious of wildlife if you choose to drive a car on the beach.

"May through October is considered sea turtle nesting season. However, some species of sea turtles have been known to nest as early as February, and hatchlings can emerge from their nests as late as the mid-winter months," the FWC says. "Beach-nesting birds may be active from mid-February through the end of August."

Here are some tips from the FWC on how to stay safe and help protect wildlife while driving on the beach:

• Enter the beach only at designated access points and proceed directly to the hard-packed sand near or below the high tide line. Avoid driving on the upper beach whenever possible, and never drive over any dunes or over beach vegetation. If beach conditions require driving above the high tide line, avoid those areas with known sea turtle nests or shorebird breeding areas.
• Avoid the wrack line or areas of dense seaweed, which may contain sea turtle hatchlings or baby birds.
• Minimize ruts on the dry sandy beach by lowering tire pressure and using four-wheel drive, particularly in front of sea turtle or bird nests.
• Drive slowly. Movement should be slow enough to observe any bird eggs, chicks, or sea turtle hatchlings in the vehicle's line of travel. Please be aware that recently hatched chicks often feed along the water's edge. They may freeze in place rather than run away when ATVs or other vehicles approach.
• Whenever possible, avoid driving on the beach at night.
• Do not park vehicles adjacent to nests or posted areas, and, if you must drive on the beach at night, turn headlights off when parking.
• If you observe a sea turtle crawling out of the surf, stop the vehicle and turn off all lights. No additional movement should occur until the turtle crosses the beach and begins digging her nest, or until she moves into deeper water.

Doris Alvarez is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for The Florida Times-Union. You can get all of Jacksonville’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free Daily Briefing and News Alerts newsletters at jacksonville.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Is it legal to drive on the beach in Northeast Florida? See our list