In most states some portion of beaches are public land and all members of the public have a right to use that portion of the beach. The ability to walk along the beach is known as lateral beach access.

But the land between where people can park or walk to the beach and where they can enjoy the beach is often private property, making it difficult to provide access to the public while protecting personal property rights. The ability to reach the beach is known as vertical beach access.

Laws regarding public access to beaches vary from state to state but many states recognize the public trust doctrine, a legal doctrine that certain natural resources such as beaches are owned or held by the government in trust for the public’s use and enjoyment and that the government has an obligation to protect and maintain these resources for the public.

In Louisiana (LA), the public trust doctrine applies, which means that the state holds certain natural resources, including beaches, in trust for public use and enjoyment. Under this doctrine, the public generally has the right to access and use the beaches. However, the specifics of beach access can be complex, as the land adjacent to the beach may be privately owned. Louisiana law allows for lateral beach access, meaning the public can walk along the shore. Vertical access, which refers to the paths leading from public parking or walkways to the beach, can be more challenging if it involves crossing private property. The state may have specific regulations or agreements in place to allow for vertical access to public beaches, but these can vary by location and may require negotiation with private landowners to establish pathways for the public to reach the beach. It's important to note that while the public trust doctrine provides for public use of beaches, the balance between public access and private property rights can lead to legal disputes, and local ordinances may also play a role in determining access rights.