Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a nearly 70-mile stretch of coastline protecting the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island. It was the first designated national seashore in the U.S., established in 1937 to preserve barrier islands off of North Carolina’s Atlantic coast.
Featuring beaches, sand dunes, maritime forests, marshes, and other natural habitats, the landscape of Cape Hatteras is constantly changing and adapting due to weather and human impact—it’s also a very popular vacation destination. People flock to this area of the U.S. for an abundance of outdoor recreation, including exceptional surfing, fishing, off-roading, hiking, snorkeling, and more. It’s also a great place to explore lighthouses, watch wildlife, and kick back and relax.
10 RV Campgrounds Along the Outer Banks Scenic Byway
With four National Park Service-managed campgrounds and several others nearby, there are plenty of places to park your rig or pitch a tent along this must-visit shoreline.
Here are seven campgrounds to consider when visiting Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Campgrounds
1. Oregon Inlet Campground
Roam the beach, fish, or surf during the day and listen to waves at night at the Oregon Inlet Campground. Open year-round, this campground features 107 campsites, with 47 offering partial hookups. Each campground loop provides restrooms, showers, and potable water—while each campsite has a paved pad, charcoal grill, and picnic table. Wood fires are not permitted at any of the NPS-managed Cape Hatteras campgrounds.
Sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long, making this an ideal camping area for all types of rigs. Oregon Inlet is a pet-friendly campground, and reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov.
2. Cape Point Campground
Located just southwest of the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Cape Point Campground puts campers close to popular attractions and the beach. Open seasonally from April through November, this campground features more than 200 spacious sites for dry camping. The campground also provides flushable toilets, a dump station, potable water, and unheated showers.
Accommodating RVs up to 40 feet long, sites are limited to same-day reservations and can be made online at Recreation.gov.
3. Frisco Campground
Near Frisco, North Carolina, you’ll find this NPS campground tucked among the sand dunes of Cape Hatteras. Campers can easily access the ocean, picnic areas, grills, and bathhouses via a boardwalk leading out to the beach. There are more than 100 dry camping sites at the Frisco Campground, which is open seasonally from April through November.
The campground also features potable water, flushable toilets, and unheated showers. Reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance, and must be made at least 3 days before your visit.
4. Ocracoke Campground
Open year-round on Ocracoke Island, this campground sits just outside of the village of Ocracoke. With more than 130 dry camping sites, what the Ocracoke Campground lacks in amenities, it makes up for with wild beauty and remote serenity. There are grills, flushable toilets, potable water, and cold showers on-site—plus, this campground is pet friendly.
With no shaded areas, it’s recommended to bring protection from the sun. Mosquitoes can also be disruptive during certain seasons, so be sure to pack bug spray. Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance and must be made at least 3 days before arrival.
A Guide to All 10 National Seashores In the U.S.
Other Campgrounds Near Cape Hatteras National Seashore
5. Hatteras Sands RV Park
The Hatteras Sands Campground is located in the village of Hatteras, a short drive from the national seashore. Near beaches, canals, and other natural scenery, this 60-site campground offers several amenities, including a swimming pool, clubhouse, air-conditioned bathhouse, laundry facility, and more. There are also cabins and cottages for those not traveling with their RVs.
Campsites are big rig and pet friendly, and most feature full hookups, WiFi, and paved pads. Reservations for RV sites and other lodging can be made online.
6. Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort
Featuring RV and tent sites, glamping accommodations, cabins, and vacation rentals, the Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA is great for travelers of all kinds. This resort-style campground offers an abundance of amenities, ranging from a pool and hot tub to an outdoor movie area, snack bar, playground, and other creature comforts.
Choose from more than 300 campsites offering a blend of full and partial hookups. Some sites even feature designated dog areas to give your pup off-leash time while at the campground. There are also pull-through sites available for larger rigs. Reservations can be made online.
7. Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound, this Hatteras Island campground puts you near all of the area’s attractions and epic waterfront views. There are more than 400 full-hookup RV sites with paved pads and patios at each. You can also find an indoor and outdoor pool, jacuzzi, marina, laundry facilities, camp store, clubhouse, playground, and several other amenities on-site.
Both big rig and pet friendly, Camp Hatteras RV Resort lets you choose from a variety of campsites with ocean or sound views. All reservations can be made online.
