Where can I go with the Trustees Cape Poge Oversand Pass?

Cape Poge Permit, Leland Pass Permit and ‘All Over’ Permit

Purchased either in person or online the Cape Poge and Leland Pass Permit provides some of the very best OSV driving in Massachusetts. Located on Chappaquiddick Island, Cape Poge and Leland Pass are tucked away from the hustle and bustle of some of the other beaches on the Island. Chappy beach driving is quaint and secluded.

Purchase Online

Both the Cape Pogue and ‘All Over’ Permits can be purchased online at the Trustees website. First navigate to the ‘Permits’ button. From there you will be presented with a calendar, selecting which day you are likely to arrive at the Mytoi Gatehouse (41 Dike Road in Edgartown). From there, add either the Cape Poge or ‘All Over’ Permit for either an On-Island (Martha’s Vineyard Resident) or Off-Island vehicle to your order and checkout. You will pick up your desired Permit at the Mytoi Gatehouse on Chappaquiddick. 

Purchase at the Trustees Mytoi Gatehouse (41 Dike Road in Edgartown)

Once you have arrived with your vehicle at the Mytoi Gatehouse, there is an attendant and a QR code to scan and purchase your permit via smartphone. The Trustees attendants are always happy to help with permit selection and are there to answer any questions. Once purchased you will show the attendent your proof-of-purchase.

Getting to the Mytoi Gatehouse (41 Dike Rd in Edgartown)

The Mytoi Gatehouse and Chappy beach driving are technically on another Island. In order to get over to Chappaquiddick you and your vehicle will use the Iconic Chappy Ferry (53 Daggett Ave, Edgartown, MA). During busy summer days the ferry usually has a queue running up Daggett street (see screenshot below for the Queue map). There are plenty of signs posted around town, on where to go to start queuing for the ferry. At the ferry, users can either use the kiosk at the dock or pay in cash onboard for ferry fare. A note from the author, carry some cash. It makes the whole process more seamless. Once on the ferry the attendant will come to the driver window and ask for fare. The Ferry is $15 for a round trip. Once paid, the attendant will give you a laminated ticket, which you will exchange for your ride back to Edgartown. After a short ride across the harbor, drive straight roughly 2.5 miles to the Gatehouse.

Collecting your Overasand Permit

Once at the Mytoi Gatehouse, you will go up to the attendant. The attendant will ask for proof of purchase (whether you purchased in person, or looking your name up if you ordered online). Next they will have you fill out a basic waiver on taking care of the dunes and driving via the Trustees rules. From there they will check for your recovery gear. This gear includes: a plywood board 1 foot by 1 foot, tow strap, jack, and shovel. They will not give you your permit without these materials. Once they complete the check they give you the sticker to apply to your vehicle.

Driving out on the sand at Cape Poge and Leland

After airing down in the Mytoi Gatehouse lot you will drive East down Dike road and cross over the infamous dike bridge. Once across, the beach attendant will see that you have your sticker, and may stop to check your tire pressures. Once past the attendant, you can go either straight out to the beach, south on the inner road or north on the inner road. Depending on time of year, tide and nesting birds, some of these paths may be closed. Typically, beach driving is limited through the Months of June and July until the native birds are done nesting. See map below for different trail options, but always be sure to call before, or check the gatehouse for daily closures.

Trustees Cape Poge and Leland Reserve: Author’s Take

Chappy provides some of the most fun beach driving in the state of Massachusetts. Tons of different areas to explore and plenty of incredible slices of beach to set up shop. Unfortunately for the summer of 2023, much of the Island’s famous beach driving roads were closed due to conflict with homeowners out on the beach. On the northernmost tip of Chappy, there are several homes around the Cape Poge lighthouse. This chopped the accessible terrain by probably 25%. However there is news from the Trustees that they have reached an agreement with the homeowners, and those roads will be back open for summer 2024. 

Getting out on Chappy is always a blast, even on busy summer weekends at Norton (which will close down once capacity is hit) the Chappy beaches are always nice and quiet with plenty of room to spread out. While the Trustees permit and beach attendants are the least easy-going group of the Trustees oversand properties, it’s well worth having all the gear and jumping through the hoops to get out Oversand!