10 Best Camping Spots In Outer Banks, North Carolina

outer banks camping
Nicole
Nicole 
Published
| 5 min read

The Outer Banks, casually referred to as OBX, are barrier islands in North Carolina situated in the Atlantic Ocean, luring beach-goers, watersports enthusiasts, and those longing for the sun. It is home to Coquina Beach, Avon Beach, Pea Island Beach, and many other great beaches. From open-sea swimming to diving into hidden shipwreck sites, the fun and adventure never stop on this side of the state. For vacationers who are into fishing, Rodanthe Pier Place and Avon Fishing Pier will satisfy your appetite for fishing. The Outer Banks is also home to fantastic campgrounds, from rustic seaside ones to modern sites with great amenities. To give you an idea on where to camp, browse through this list of the best camping spots in Outer Banks, North Carolina.

Tent-only campground

1. Cape Lookout National Seashore Beach Campground

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Getting beach cabin fever yet? Tomorrow at 10:00 am the online reservations become available on recreation.gov for...

Posted by Cape Lookout National Seashore on Tuesday, January 4, 2022

For tourists who are into old-school camping, Cape Lookout National Seashore Beach Campground is the place for you. It offers a dreamy seaside camping experience that will make your feel every bit connected to nature. As permits and fees are typically not necessary for small groups, don’t expect extravagant facilities. Groups larger than 25 members must secure Special Use Permit, available online. Though the campground is open all year, it is best to visit during the summer season when potable water is accessible in the public restrooms.

The camping spot offers primitive camping, perfect for friends. Food, potable water, supplies, and other necessities should be brought by campers. Plus, be sure to always clean up your trash. Stays here cannot exceed 14 days. Swimming, watersports, and birding are exciting activities you can do on site.

Cape Lookout National Seashore Beach Campground

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Address: 1800 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531 (map)

RV campgrounds & RV sites

2. Oregon Inlet Campground

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Oregon Inlet Campground is a serene and scenic campground perfect for tourists who long for tranquility and solitude. While you can swim, sunbathe, and build sandcastles on site, if you are into fishing, Oregon Inlet is the place to go, which is 2 mi (3.2 km) away from the campground. For shopping and dining, you can reach the town of Nag Heads in 15 minutes from the property.

There are three loops in the campground, and each one features a shared bathhouse. On a related note, each campsite is equipped with picnic essentials, including a charcoal grill.

The campsite is open all year, though if you are camping during the summer season, make sure to bring nets and insect repellants as mosquitoes frequent the area during this time. With all these amenities available, this place is perfect for families, friends, couples, and even solo wanderers.

Oregon Inlet Campground

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Address: Oregon Inlet Campground, 12001 NC-12, Nags Head, NC 27959, United States (map)

3. Ocean Waves Campground

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Ocean Waves Campground on Sunday, August 25, 2013

One of the top-rated campgrounds in the Outer Banks, Ocean Waves Campground nestles in Hatteras Island and offers quick access to the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. Besides swimming, surf fishing is possible on the beach.

RV and tent sites are available within the seasonal campground, with a total of 68 campsites. As the property is managed by a family, amenities here are curated with vacationing families in mind. On site, you have access to a camp store, swimming pool, game room, and free WiFi. Couples love booking tent sites close to the beach.

Note that this campground is closed during the winter season.

Ocean Waves Campground

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Address: 25313 Highway 12, Waves, NC 27982 (map)

4. Frisco Campground

Frisco Campground boardwalk under water
Source: Photo by Flickr user Cape Hatteras Nat... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Outer Banks has no shortage of superb camping sites, and the family-friendly Frisco Campground is one of the good ones. This campground is near Cape Point Campground. It is steps from the Atlantic Ocean, affording campers plenty of swimming and watersports opportunities. Besides water adventures, visitors can experience off-roading on the beach. Be sure to secure a Cape Hatteras ORV permit. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a short drive from the campground, and its beacon can be seen from the area.

There are restrooms on site that come complete with showers, toilets, and potable water. Picnic tables and grills are accessible to guests. This campground is non-operational during the winter season.

Frisco Campground

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Address: 53415 Billy Mitchell Rd, Frisco, NC 27936, United States (map)

5. Cape Hatteras KOA Resort, Rodanthe

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

For recipes, fun and more be sure to follow Kampgrounds of America on Facebook: http://bit.ly/LikeKOA

Posted by Cape Hatteras / Outer Banks KOA Resort on Monday, February 20, 2017

Blessed with the pristine waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound, Cape Hatteras KOA Resort, Rodanthe is the go-to destination for beach lovers and families. The great outdoors and the vast sea are your playgrounds here. Plus, there’s an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a sauna as a bonus. From windsurfing to wildlife watching at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, the fun never stops for adventure seekers staying at the campsite.

Lodges, RV sites, and tent sites are all available in the year-round campground, which makes it perfect for all types of vacationers. Pets are welcome, and they can have all the fun in the on-site Kamp K9® Dog Park.

Cape Hatteras KOA Resort, Rodanthe

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Address: 25094 NC-12, Waves, NC 27982, United States (map)

6. Portsmouth Island Campground

Portsmouth Island
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jarek Tuszyński used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Situated on Portsmouth Island, this campground welcomes tents and RV campers. You can also rent rustic cabins in the area. This camping spot is not for meticulous tourists (or families with kids), as it lacks modern-day conveniences. There is no store in the campground itself but you’ll find one in the historic town center. Most visitors find their place on the 13-mi (21-km) shoreline. The beach is perfect for swimming and beachcombing. As it is not a formal campground, you can visit at any time of the year.

To reach Portsmouth Island, you have to rent a boat or a private ferry. Tours to the island are available daily according to the season, with Ocracoke Harbor as the starting point. You can make your way to Portsmouth Island ATV Tours for a fun time.

Portsmouth Island Campground

Address: Portsmouth Island, North Carolina (map)

7. Rodanthe Watersports and Campground

Now taking reservations for the 2022 Season. Visit our on-line booking site at watersportsandcampground.com to check...

Posted by Rodanthe Watersports and Campground on Sunday, August 1, 2021

Rodanthe Watersports and Campground is an ideal family camping destination. With its waterfront location, you will have Pamlico Sound as the backdrop for your holiday happenings. Conveniently, a bathhouse, electricity and water hook-ups, and a rental shop are available on-site.

There is a long list of activities you can enjoy while staying in this camping spot, including kayaking, paddleboarding, sailboating, and fishing. Plus, the sunsets on this side of North Carolina are truly breathtaking. For tourists planning a visit, note that the campground is typically closed from December to the first half of March.

Rodanthe Watersports and Campground

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Address: 24170 NC-12, Rodanthe, NC 27968, United States (map)

8. Jerniman’s Campground, Ocracoke

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Jerniman's on Sunday, July 5, 2020

Are you in dire need of a change of scenery? In the mood to escape the city life even for a while? Why not make Jerniman’s Campground your home for the weekend and experience a much-deserved holiday. Open all year, Jerniman’s Campground is a renovated family-friendly camping spot. Each of its sites offers electric hookups. You can find a bathhouse, picnic tables, and a laundry room on site, making it convenient for campers.

Its location on the beach brings you closer to nature and affords you unlimited access to watersports.

Jerniman’s Campground

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Address: 990 Irvin Garrish Hwy, Ocracoke, NC 27960, United States (map)

9. Camp Hatteras RV Campground and Resort, Rodanthe

Posted by Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground on Saturday, November 2, 2019

Spoil yourself with a much-deserved break from the busy life in the concrete jungle and escape to Camp Hatteras RV Campground and Resort. Operational since 1991, this family-owned, family-friendly business has mastered the art of hospitality. Blending nature with modern-day conveniences, it boasts 400 full hook-up sites situated in a beachfront location.

Delightful amenities, such as WiFi, swimming pools, a hot tub, playground, dog park, and many more, are provided for your enjoyment. The campground is open all year.

Camp Hatteras RV Campground and Resort

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Address: 24798 NC-12, Rodanthe, NC 27968, United States (map)

10. Cape Point Campground, Buxton

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Cape Point Campground promises travelers a fun-filled camping experience. Close to many attractions of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, this campground is a fantastic home base for tourists planning to explore the area. Fishing, surfing, and scenic walks are a few of the many activities you’ll get to enjoy while camping here.

Cape Point Campground’s campsites are packed with a parking pad and picnic essentials. Note that some rows are for tent camping only, and RV sites do not have hook-ups. This lovely place welcomes all visitors, whether you are holidaying with the family or on a romantic weekend with the love of your life.

Keep in mind that this campground is only seasonally open, being operational from April 2 to November 28.

Cape Point Campground

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Address: 46700 Old Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920, United States (map)

Escape to the Outer Banks

White Van Near Green Trees
Source: Pexels

The Outer Banks is a fantastic destination for campers. Make your visit even more memorable and comfortable by choosing the best home base for you from the above list.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Nicole, a writer and traveler, also identifies herself as a free spirit with a wild heart. She is dedicated to telling authentic stories in a relatable manner. Nicole also enjoys exploring new,...Read more

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