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 Oklahoma, the issue of beach access is not as prominent as in coastal states due to its landlocked geography. However, the state does have laws governing the use of its water resources and adjacent land areas, which can include riverbanks and lakeshores that might be considered 'beaches' in a local context. Oklahoma generally adheres to the public trust doctrine, which holds that certain natural resources are preserved for public use and enjoyment. While specific regulations regarding lateral and vertical beach access as they are known in coastal regions may not be directly applicable, Oklahoma does ensure public access to public waters and the lands beneath them up to the ordinary high water mark. Private property rights are balanced with public use rights, and access to these areas may be provided through public parks, easements, or other means. It's important to note that individual municipalities or counties may have additional ordinances that govern access to local water bodies and their shores.