No 4WD? No problem.
Our estates sit 2.5 miles past the end of pavement — the most private stretch of sand on the East Coast. Whatever your group drives, we'll get you there.
The most private beach on the East Coast.
Eleven miles of raw Atlantic coastline with no hotels, no shops, and no day-trippers — just the estates built to be worthy of it, and the wild Colonial Spanish mustangs that roam the dunes.
Zero public access
The only way onto this beach is a 4WD vehicle or our shuttle. No crowds — your private beach stays private.
Wild Corolla mustangs
The colonial Spanish mustangs here are found nowhere else on the OBX. Sightings from the estate decks are frequent at dawn.
Pristine, undeveloped coast
No restaurants, no shops, no noise — just eleven miles of open Atlantic and the dunes behind you.
We make access easy
We've guided hundreds of groups in. Whatever your vehicle situation, we have a solution and we'll walk you through it.
Find your scenario.
Every group is different. Here's exactly how we handle each situation — so you know before you book that getting here is straightforward.
You have AWD / 4WD
The simplest pathAWD or 4WD with at least 7.5″ of clearance? You're set — the drive in is part of the experience.
- Drive to the 4×4 entry at the end of Corolla's paved road.
- Air down to 18–20 PSI at our free station.
- Drive 2.5 miles along the beach to your estate.
- Re-inflate at the air station on your way out.
Mixed group
The most common caseSome guests have 4WD, others don't. The drivers go in directly; everyone else parks and joins.
- 4WD vehicles drive directly to the estate.
- 2WD vehicles park at a satellite lot.
- Non-4WD guests ride the shuttle or with group members.
- Or rent our Ford Expedition for the day.
No 4WD at all
Fully solved — two pathsNo 4WD in the whole group? Two complete solutions get everyone to the estate comfortably.
- All vehicles park at a satellite location.
- Shuttle — book our dedicated shuttle in.
- Expedition — rent ours, pre-staged at the lot.
Air down your tires first.
The single most important step. Deflated tires spread your vehicle's weight across more sand and keep you from getting stuck. The air-down station at the entry is free.
Tires must be 18–20 PSI before driving on the beach. Road pressure (30–35 PSI) on soft sand is the most common reason guests get stuck. Don't skip it.
Does your vehicle qualify?
AWD or 4WD with at least 7.5″ of ground clearance is required. Most modern SUVs and trucks meet it — here are the most common guest vehicles that work.
Ford Expedition King Ranch MAX.
No 4WD? Rent ours. Pre-staged at the satellite lot — fueled, aired down, and ready when you arrive. Seats up to eight, enough to move your whole group in one trip.
We'll drive you in.
For guests without 4WD, our shuttle runs from the satellite parking area directly to the estate — and back when you're ready. Coordinated through our concierge team; arrange it when you book.
Two convenient parking locations.
Anyone driving a 2WD vehicle can leave it safely at one of two satellite lots near the 4×4 entry. Both are secure and convenient to the shuttle pickup point.
Satellite Lot One
Closest to the 4×4 beach entry and the shuttle pickup point. Ideal for guests arriving from the north or west of Corolla.
Satellite Lot Two
Easy access to shuttle pickup with extra capacity for large groups, especially on busy summer weekends.
Choose your estate.
All three Corolla estates sit on the exclusive 4×4 beach — or book all three together as The Three Authors for the full 46-bedroom campus.
The Mark Twain
America's grandest private estate — baby-grand event floor, 12-seat cinema, 3 private acres on the 4×4 beach.
View estate →
The Hemingway
Cocktail bar, home theater, five spa suites, and three private oceanfront acres on the exclusive 4×4 beach.
View estate →
The Fitzgerald
20-seat cinema, VIP suite, stone fireplace — the most refined of the three estates on the Corolla 4×4 beach.
View estate →The Three Authors — 46 BR · 102+ guests
3 pools · baby grand piano · 2 cinemas · 11 private 4×4 beach acres
4×4 beach FAQ.
Yes — all vehicles entering the beach must be AWD or 4WD with at least 7.5″ of ground clearance. 2WD vehicles, including most sedans, crossovers, and front-wheel-drive SUVs, are not permitted and will get stuck. If your group doesn't have qualifying vehicles, our Expedition rental or shuttle service will take care of you.
First — deflating to 18–20 PSI before entering is the best prevention. If you do get stuck, call 304-902-6504 immediately and we'll coordinate local beach recovery. Don't spin your wheels aggressively, as that digs you in deeper. Stay with your vehicle and wait for help.
A minimum of 7.5″ of ground clearance. Most dedicated 4WD trucks and SUVs comfortably exceed this; crossover SUVs with AWD often fall short. Check your vehicle's spec sheet or call us if you're unsure about a specific model.
The Ford Expedition King Ranch MAX rents for $999 per reservation, subject to availability. It seats up to eight and is pre-staged at the satellite lot, fueled and ready. Call 304-902-6504 when booking your stay — we strongly recommend reserving early, especially in peak season.
Yes — trailers are permitted on the beach, but only when towed by a qualifying 4WD vehicle with appropriate towing capacity. Call us in advance to discuss your setup and we'll advise on what works best given beach conditions and the tow route.
No — state law prohibits approaching, touching, or feeding the wild Corolla mustangs, and a 50-foot distance must be maintained at all times. They're wild animals and can be unpredictable. From a distance, though, they're extraordinary — and sightings from the estate decks are frequent at dawn and dusk.
Now book the estate.
Eleven private oceanfront acres, wild horses on the beach, and the most exclusive address on the Outer Banks. Browse our properties or call us — we'll handle everything.