Nags Head is one of our favorite locations on the Outer Banks for a beach fire. The pristine beaches paired with the proximity to town make it the perfect spot! Some of our favorite Nags Head accesses for a beach fire include Baltic, Hollowell, Bonnett, and Bladen. Nags Head is also great for dog owners since they allow dogs on leashes on the beaches year round! The Town of Nags Head requires a permit for fires, which there is more information on below, but is included with our beach fire experiences so you won’t have to worry about it!

From Nags Head Fire and Ocean Rescue:

Beach pit fires are allowed on the beach in the Town of Nags Head with a permit. Permits are only issued daily between 5:30PM and Midnight based on current wind speed and fire danger conditions. Permits are valid on the day of issue only, through midnight, and are valid only within the Town of Nags Head.

Nags Head Beach Fire Regulations:

• Pit Fire Permits are good for the day of purchase only and are good from the time of purchase till midnight, and are valid only within the Town of Nags Head.

• The pit fire shall not be left unattended and the permit must stay with that person and the fire at all times it is active/hot. If the permit is purchased online, access to view the digital permit / Email needs to be readily available at the fire.

• The fire must be attended by a competent person who must be of the age of 14 years or older, which person must attend the fire and see that it is completely extinguished prior to leaving the site thereof.

• The fire shall be no closer than fifty (50) feet from any combustible materials (buildings, lifeguard stands, sea grass, brush, etc.). It shall be in a hollowed-out pit no larger than three (3) feet in diameter and not less than one (1) foot in depth and must remain within the confines of the pit.

• The fire will be completely extinguished with water and all debris removed from the beach area after the fire is completely out. Clean the area of all trash before leaving.

• The fire will need to be extinguished with water if the wind speed is in excess of 10 knots / 11.5mph or if embers blow toward any combustible materials.

• This is a one-time, non-refundable permit.

• Only leaves, branches or other plant growth can be burned, nothing else. It is illegal to burn trash, lumber scraps or other non-vegetative material.