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Off Road Vehicles

The potential damage to the shoreline by ORVs should not be underestimated.

Vehicle operators must access the beach only at designated locations, obtain required over-sand permits, and take care to use established beach tracks and crossovers. Never drive on vegetation or within posted areas.

Norton Point Beach

Owned by the County of Dukes County. Administered by The Trustees of Reservations. Off-Road Vehicle Permit required. Permit stickers can be obtained from:

Dukes County Treasurer's Office
Edgartown Courthouse
P.O. Box 146
Edgartown MA 02539
508-696-3845

Or from The Trustees of Reservations- call 508-693-7662.

When writing for an application, be sure to include your telephone number and mailing address. Permit stickers may also be purchased, in season, from a deputy sheriff or beach ranger.

Sampling of Norton Point Beach ORV Regulations

Please note: The following are only some of the regulations regarding ORVs on Norton Point Beach. Be sure to study carefully all the regulations provided by the Dukes County Treasurer's Office. These regulations are subject to change.

  1. All vehicles must be four-wheel drive and must display a current-year Norton Point Beach registration sticker in plain view on the outside of the vehicle. Stickers are not transferable.
  2. Vehicles are restricted to marked trails and the parking area.
  3. Maximum speed limit is 15 mph. A speed limit of 5 mph will be posted in and near shorebird nesting areas and habitat.
  4. Traffic heading toward the Katama Road entrance has the right of way on single-lane sections.
  5. Before driving on the beach, tire pressure shall be lowered to and maintained at a maximum of 20 psi.
  6. Pets must be on a leash at all times between April 1 and August 30.
  7. All vehicles must carry the following equipment:
    • a copy of the beach regulations
    • a spare tire
    • a tow device at least 15 feet in length, such as:
      • rope - 3/4" diameter
      • strap - 6,800 lb. capacity, 1.5" wide
      • chain - 5/16" link
      • cable - 3/8" diameter or vehicle winch)
    • a jack and support board, min. size 12" x 12" square and 3/4" thick
    • a heavy-duty shovel
    • a low-pressure tire gauge; must register 10 psi.

Prohibited:

  • Vehicles with a gross weight under 1,900 pounds or in excess of 6,000 pounds.
  • Traveling outside of designated areas.
  • Parking in trails.
  • Driving or parking within 15 feet of snow fencing.
  • Operating a vehicle so as to endanger the public, cause a nuisance, or harass wildlife.
  • Alcoholic beverages, open fires, kite flying.
  • Overnight camping or sleeping.
  • Disturbing, removing, defacing, or damaging natural features, signs, barriers, or other property.
  • Littering.

Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge & Wasque

Properties of The Trustees of Reservations.

Annual vehicle registration fees:
  • $180 for vehicles with off-Island registration
  • $160 for Island-registered vehicles
(price includes membership in The Trustees of Reservations).

Fees are subject to change. Registration stickers and complete information on regulations are available at the entrance gatehouse, and at Coop's Bait & Tackle in Edgartown. Beach closure hotline for ORVs: 508-696-0731.

Protected Migratory Shorebirds

The barrier beaches of Martha's Vineyard have, for thousands of years, provided nesting habitat for many bird species, including the Least Tern and the Piping Plover. The recent introduction of ORVs has caused the populations of species like the plover to plummet. Special management plans now protect these rare species, plans which in some cases may involve restricting or closing sections of beach to ORVs during the nesting season.


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