What To Do If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In The Sand

Before driving on the beach make sure that you have purchased your ORV permit from the National Park Service. Currently you can only purchase an ORV permit online. Read about ORV use and permits here

DRIVING ON THE BEACH WITHOUT FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE! Just because your vehicle performs well in snow and ice does NOT mean it can handle sand. Vehicles tend to sink into the sand, creating resistance that you must overcome without getting stuck or spinning out.

It's a necessity, always deflate your tires before venturing onto the beach. Don’t wait until you’re already stuck and buried in the sand to let out air and engage four-wheel drive; it will be significantly harder to free yourself once you’ve already dug in. Most tires can be safely reduced to about 15 to 18 PSI. Lowering the pressure expands the tire's surface area, resulting in a wider, flatter tread that helps your vehicle maintain better contact with the sand. This minimizes resistance and reduces the chances of getting stuck or digging in deeper. If you find yourself stuck, continue to release air from the tires until you can move again.

After leaving the beach, head straight to the nearest station to refill your tires to their normal pressure. Many gas stations and tackle shops offer free air pumps. Driving at highway speeds with low tire pressures can be extremely dangerous and detrimental to your tires.

Here are a few essential items to keep in your vehicle if you plan to drive on the sand: pressure gauge, a shovel, and a tow chain (if you're confident you might assist others who get stuck). When driving on the beach, please slow down and prioritize the safety of others. be on the look out for children running out from between parked vehicles or objects that might puncture your tire.

Also, be cautious when pulling off the road on HWY 12. Many people park along the roadside to access various beach areas, but the ground can appear deceptively solid. Once your tires leave the road, they can sink into the sand, and you might find yourself stuck.

If you are unable to get your vehicle unstuck you will need to call a local tow company which might take a while to rescue you due to high demand especially in the summer time