Penny’s Hill (Lewark’s Hill): Outer Banks 4×4 Dune Guide

Penny’s Hill on the Outer Banks — also called Lewark’s Hill — is a towering active sand dune in the Currituck 4×4 area north of Corolla. Rising over 70 feet above the beach, it’s the largest medano (live moving dune) on the Outer Banks and one of the most popular landmarks for beach drivers exploring the Carova area. Accessible only by 4×4 along the beach, it offers panoramic views of the Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.

Penny’s Hill Outer Banks: Quick Facts

Location & Aerial View

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Getting to Penny’s Hill

From Corolla, drive north on NC-12 until the pavement ends at the 4×4 beach access ramp. Air down your tires to 18–22 PSI, then turn north and drive along the beach. Penny’s Hill is approximately 3 miles up the beach on the soundside (west side). You can’t miss it — it’s the tallest dune you’ll see and dominates the skyline. Most beach drivers reach it in 10–15 minutes from the end of NC-12 at low tide.

What You’ll See

From the top of Penny’s Hill you can see the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Currituck Sound to the west, and on clear days the False Cape and Back Bay area of Virginia to the north. The dune is constantly moving — wind shifts it slightly each year, and it has slowly migrated south over the decades, burying parts of an old hunt club that once stood at its base. Wild Colonial Spanish mustangs are frequently spotted grazing in the dune fields surrounding it.

Tips for Visiting

Park at the base of the dune on firm sand — never on vegetation, and never block other vehicles’ paths. Climbing the dune is allowed and encouraged, but it’s a strenuous climb in deep sand. Wear shoes (the sand can get blistering hot in summer). Pack out everything you bring in. The 4×4 area has no facilities, no trash cans, and no cell service in most spots, so plan accordingly.

Safety & Wildlife

Stay at least 50 feet from any wild horses — it’s the law in Currituck County and violations carry stiff fines. Do not feed them. Watch for soft sand at the base of the dune where it transitions from beach to dune field. If you stop, point your tires toward the firm tracks and don’t park where you’d have to push uphill to leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

• Carova Beach 4×4 Guide
• Corolla NC-12 4×4 Beach Access
• Carova Wild Horses Beach Driving
• How to Air Down Your Tires

How to Find Penny’s Hill: Getting There from Corolla

Reaching Penny’s Hill requires a 4×4 vehicle and a valid permit for the Currituck 4×4 zone north of Corolla. There is no paved road access. The journey begins where the pavement ends on NC-12 in Corolla, at the end of Currituck Beach Road. From there, you drive north along the beach itself — no marked roads, no guardrails, and no signs pointing you toward the dune.

The distance from the Corolla pavement end to Penny’s Hill is approximately 4 to 5 miles north, placing it roughly in the Swan Beach area. The exact location shifts slightly as the dune migrates, but it’s typically visible from the beach — you’ll see a massive sand formation rising dramatically above the flat beach terrain. On clear days, it’s hard to miss.

Driving tips for the approach:

• Tire pressure: Air down to 18–22 PSI before leaving the pavement end. The beach gets soft north of Corolla and proper tire pressure prevents getting stuck.
• Timing: Approach at low tide when the beach is hardest and widest. High tide can reduce the drivable beach width significantly in this area.
• Speed: The speed limit in the Currituck 4×4 zone is 25 mph. Slow down near wild horses, which roam freely through this area.

What to Expect at Penny’s Hill

Penny’s Hill is what geologists call a medano — a large, bare moving dune driven by wind rather than anchored by vegetation. Unlike the vegetated dunes that line most of the Outer Banks, Penny’s Hill actively migrates. It has moved measurably westward over the decades, and its exact shape changes season to season depending on wind patterns.

At over 70 feet tall, climbing Penny’s Hill is a workout. The loose sand makes each step a partial slide backward, but the summit offers a view that’s worth the effort. From the top, you can see both the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Currituck Sound to the west — a rare dual-water panorama on the Outer Banks. On clear days, the Virginia state line is visible to the north.

The dune is open to the public and there are no fees specifically for visiting it. Your Currituck 4×4 zone permit covers access to this stretch of beach. There are no facilities — no restrooms, no trash cans, no rangers stationed at the site. Pack out everything you pack in.

Wild Horses Near Penny’s Hill

The Currituck wild horses roam freely throughout the 4×4 zone, and sightings near Penny’s Hill are common. These horses are not domesticated and should not be approached, touched, or fed. The Corolla Wild Horse Fund maintains the herd and enforces a 50-foot minimum buffer requirement — approaching closer than 50 feet is illegal and can result in a fine.

The best wild horse photography near Penny’s Hill often happens in the early morning before the beach traffic picks up. Horses tend to move toward the beach at dawn and dusk to access water and avoid biting flies. A telephoto lens is far better than trying to get physically close to the herd.

Best Times to Visit Penny’s Hill

Penny’s Hill is accessible year-round, but conditions vary significantly by season. Here’s what to expect:

• Fall (September–November): Often considered the best time — cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, calmer wind, and the horses are frequently seen near the beach. Hurricane risk exists through October.
• Winter (December–February): Very few visitors, dramatically reduced crowds, and the dune is at its most photogenic with clean sand and low-angle winter light. Cold and windy; bring layers.
• Spring (March–May): Good weather and moderate crowds. Shorebird nesting begins in spring, which can trigger some beach closures in the corridor, but Penny’s Hill itself is rarely directly affected.
• Summer (June–August): Hottest and most crowded season. The dune can be brutally hot to climb midday. Early morning visits are strongly recommended.

Photography Tips at Penny’s Hill

Penny’s Hill is one of the most photogenic natural landmarks on the Outer Banks. For the best photos:

• Shoot at golden hour — the warm light at sunrise or sunset sculpts the dune’s ridgelines dramatically.
• Shoot from the beach looking west to include the dune’s full height against the sky.
• Include a person or vehicle in the frame for scale — 70 feet is hard to convey without a reference point.
• Wind lines and footprint patterns in the sand make excellent foreground texture for landscape shots.
• If wild horses are present, use a telephoto and be patient — forced proximity disturbs them and is against the rules.

Penny’s Hill is also a popular subject for drone photography. Check FAA regulations and NPS rules before flying a drone in the Currituck 4×4 zone.