Complete Guide To Camping On the Outer Banks of NC

For decades, camping in the Outer Banks has been a family tradition. Many years ago, there was a campground in Duck, pictured above, which is now the Sea Pines neighborhood. Each family was asked to water the tiny pine trees on their campsites. Those same pine trees are full-grown today.

Outer Banks camping is the perfect way to get up close and personal with our dynamic coastal environment. With campgrounds located from the sound to the ocean and everywhere in between, there are many landscapes to choose from. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite OBX camping spots, from primitive tent camping to RV camping at campgrounds with amenities. If you’re planning on RV Camping, check out this useful guide on how to connect your RV utilities to full hookups at campsites.

Which OBX Beaches Can You Camp On? Best Beaches for Tent Camping Best Beaches for RV Camping OBX Camping Rules and Regulations Frequently Asked Questions About OBX Beach Camping

Which OBX Beaches Can You Camp On?

Camping directly on the beaches of the OBX is not permitted, but there are many excellent campgrounds on the Outer Banks and in the surrounding coastal area. Most offer beach access or sound access. Whether you’re looking for a primitive tent site or an RV site with full hookups in a campground with amenities, there’s an OBX campground for you.

Currituck County Kitty Hawk Kill Devil Hills Nags Head Roanoke Island Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Rodanthe, Waves, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Ocracoke)

Camping in Currituck County

Outer Banks West/Currituck Sound KOA: Tucked away on a peninsula of mainland Currituck County, many traveling to the OBX from the north will pass the road to this campground on their way into town. Surrounded by the waters of the Currituck Sound, this campground offers plenty of things to do, including fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and a playground. The campground offers RV rentals, deluxe cabins, RV sites, and tent camping. Multiple piers and two ponds allow anglers of all ages to fish.

Beautiful views of the water can be enjoyed from most of the campsites. If you look closely, you can see the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Whalehead Club, and Penny’s Hill across the sound.

Camping in Kitty Hawk

Kitty Hawk RV Park: Located between the Beach Road (NC 12) and the Bypass (Route 158), this RV park has been a top choice for OBX RV camping since the 1960’s. Centrally located in the heart of Kitty Hawk, shopping, dining, activities, and nightlife are all nearby. All RV sites feature full hook-up, including water, sewer, electric, and cable TV. Pop-ups and tent sites are not available.

Camping in Kill Devil Hills

OBX Campground: Located on beautiful Colington Island, OBX Campground offers RV sites just minutes away from the beach and many top Outer Banks attractions, including the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Enjoy the quiet coastal landscape, including water views. Tent sites are not available, but RV sites have full hook up, including water, sewer, and electric. A bath house with showers, laundry facilities, and a playground are also available.

Joe & Kay’s Campground: Looking for tent camping in OBX with lots of things to do nearby? This is your campground! Located off of Colington Road in the heart of Kill Devil Hills, Joe & Kay’s Campground offers tent sites only, no RV hook-ups are available. The campground is surrounded by tall pine trees and canals.

Camping in Nags Head

Oregon Inlet Campground: Located toward the southern end of Nags Head, Oregon Inlet Campground is “away from it all”, yet convenient to all that the town of Nags Head has to offer. Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is located just south and the Bodie Island Lighthouse is a few miles north. The beach is accessed by a short stroll through the sand dunes. Tent sites and RV sites (some with hook-ups) are available.

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse in Downtown Manteo

Camping on Roanoke Island

Just a few minutes west of Nags Head, Roanoke Island offers the opportunity to learn about America’s first English colony while enjoying a small-town atmosphere. On Roanoke Island, there is a campground in Manteo and a campground for RVs in Wanchese.

Watch a beautiful sunset on the Croatan Sound from Beechland Campground in Manteo. With a prime location just over a mile from downtown Manteo, this RV campground is also within walking distance of the Bowsertown Boat Ramp. Amenities include a heated pool that overlooks the sound, full RV hookup, internet service, and a full-service bathhouse.

The Refuge on Roanoke Island in Wanchese has fifteen RV sites that overlook the water. Each site has electrical hookups and can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long. Amenities include a pool that overlooks the sound, a pavilion area, and a full-service bathhouse.

Camping on Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore starts in South Nags Head and runs all the way to Ocracoke Island. The area has many campgrounds, several of which are managed by the National Park Service. Driving on the beach is allowed in certain areas of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, however, a beach driving permit is required.

Rodanthe, Waves & Avon

Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground: One of the larger campgrounds on the Outer Banks, Camp Hatteras spans from the ocean to the sound in Rodanthe. Experience the best of both worlds, the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean or the calmer waters of the Pamlico Sound. Campsites are for RVs only, but park model rental units are available. With a clubhouse, conference center, planned activities, a dog park, and a playground, this campground is suitable for larger groups. RV sites are full hook-up.

Cape Hatteras KOA: Most people familiar with the KOA brand know what to expect…amenities! Cape Hatteras KOA in Rodanthe delivers, with a pool, water slides, hot tub, jumping pillow, playground, dog park, and much more, along with beach access. Accommodations include RV sites (various types, with hook-ups), tent sites, and cabins.

North Beach Family Campground: A campground close to the ocean offering RV sites with hookups as well as tent sites. Grab groceries and other supplies at the general store that is onsite.

Ocean Waves Campground: A smaller, family-owned campground in Waves that offers beach access and amenities. Pool and game room are available for entertainment. Tent and RV sites (with hook-ups) are available.

St. Clair Landing Family Campground: There are 60 tent and RV sites available at this family-owned campground in Rodanthe. Access the ocean or the sound from the campground, or take the kids to the playground. Dining and activities in the town of Rodanthe are within walking distance.

Avon by the Sea RV Park: Located just steps from the oceanfront and Avon Fishing Pier, this RV park is located in the heart of Avon, NC. Reservations include access to Koru Village’s oceanfront pool.

Sands of Time Campground: Tent sites and full RV hook-up sites are available at this campground in Avon. Everything you could need is walking distance – the beach, dining, shopping, Avon Fishing Pier, and “Canadian Hole” is just a few miles down the road. If you aren’t familiar with windsurfing or kite surfing, plan to spend an afternoon at “Canadian Hole” watching riders of the wind.

Rodanthe Watersports and Campground: Located directly on the Pamlico Sound, this campground offers a variety of soundside and soundfront tent and RV sites with electric and water hookups. The campground is within walking distance of the ocean, fishing pier, restaurants, shopping, and a skate park.

Buxton & Frisco

Cape Point Campground: Operated by the National Park Service, Cape Point Campground has tent and RV sites, but no hookups are available. The beach is about a 5-10 minute walk through the sand dunes. The Hatteras Lighthouse is a short drive away and it can be seen from the campground. Hatteras Point, known for world-class surf fishing, is a short drive on the beach away.

Frisco Woods Campground: One of the more well-known campgrounds on Hatteras Island, Frisco Woods is located on the Pamlico Sound. Soundfront campsites are available, as well as more secluded campsites nestled in the trees. Hook-ups are available for RV sites, and tent sites can be primitive or have hook-ups. Amenities include a pool, wifi, camp store, kayak rentals, and more.

Frisco Campground: Situated on elevated sand dunes, many of the campsites offer views of the ocean. Dense vegetation between campsites offers added privacy. At night, the beacon from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse can be seen. Standard non-electric tent sites are available.

Ocracoke Campground

Ocracoke

Ocracoke Campground: Ocracoke Island, accessible by ferry only, is a true Outer Banks gem. Ocracoke Campground is the largest campground on the island, located parallel to the beach. The beach is just over the sand dunes and you can hear the waves lapping the shore as you drift to sleep. Standard non-electric campsites are available for tents and RVs. The soil is sandy, so tent campers should bring extra-long tent stakes. The eclectic town of Ocracoke is just a few miles away.

Jerniman’s Campground: A family-friendly campground in the hub of Ocracoke Village. The campground features an on-site restaurant, convenience store, golf cart rentals, and a gas station.

Teeter’s Campground: Located in the center of town, Teeter’s Campground is convenient to everything the town of Ocracoke has to offer. Walk or bike to shopping, dining, and activities. The campground includes tent sites and RV sites (hook-ups are available).

Cape Point Campground

Best Beaches for Tent Camping

The best campgrounds for tent camping in OBX are located on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The four seashore campgrounds managed by the National Park Service are Oregon Inlet Campground, Cape Point Campground, Frisco Campground, and Ocracoke Campground. Each campground offers restrooms, potable water, unheated showers, grills, and tables. All are located close to the beach for a true Outer Banks camping experience.

Best Beaches for RV Camping

The best places for OBX RV camping are OBX Campground in Kill Devil Hills and Cape Hatteras KOA in Rodanthe. OBX Campground is convenient to many attractions, activities, shopping, and restaurants in Kill Devil Hills. Cape Hatteras KOA offers many amenities, as well as access to both the ocean and the sound.

Ocracoke Campground

OBX Camping Rules and Regulations

OBX camping rules and regulations vary depending on which area and campground you choose. Camping directly on the beach, east of the sand dunes, is not permitted.

OBX Camping FAQs

Is Alcohol Allowed on OBX Beaches?

Alcohol is permitted on all OBX Beaches. Cape Hatteras National Seashore allows beer and wine only. Keep in mind that state laws regarding alcohol apply to drivers on 4-wheel drive beaches. As with any beach or outdoor environment, glass containers are generally not a good idea.

Can You Have Fires On The Beach In The Outer Banks?

Fires are permitted on certain Outer Banks beaches, but regulations apply and permits are required. Beach fires are never permitted in Corolla, the 4×4 beaches north of Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, or Kill Devil Hills.

Nags Head allows fires on the beach with a beach pit fire permit. Permits are issued between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm the day of only.

Beach bonfires are also allowed on the beach with a permit in Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Can You Drive On The Beach In the OBX?

Beach driving is generally allowed year-round on the 4×4 beaches north of Corolla and certain areas of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

A permit is required to park on the 4×4 beaches on the Currituck Outer Banks, including Ocean Beach, Seagull Beach, Swan Beach, and Carova Beach, from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore requires an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) permit for beach driving. Permits may be obtained online or in person.

Beaches of the Outer Banks

Whether you’re camping or staying in a vacation home, the beaches of the Outer Banks are suited for many activities. From relaxing with a cold beverage to the adrenaline rush of watersports, check out our picks for the Best Beaches on the Outer Banks.

Courtney Wisecarver

May 02, 2019

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