The Outer Banks Scenic Byway is a strip of road that cuts between marshes, dunes, and the lapping shores of the Atlantic Ocean along the coast of North Carolina. The road travels through beach towns, islands, and ferry crossings. It’s also a part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the first national seashore in the country, and offers incredible stargazing
To access this scenic byway, RVers will need to take Highway 158 from Point Harbor, North Carolina, over the Wright Memorial Bridge to Kitty Hawk. Once you reach the Wright Memorial Bridge, vacation vibes start to set in as incredible ocean views get closer and closer.
The best time to travel the Outer Banks Scenic Byway is after Labor Day when the summer vacationers leave and peak season ends. In September and October, nightly rates drop, but the warm weather and water stay through most of the fall.
Chasing wildlife: A winter exploration along the Outer Banks Scenic Byway
Regardless of when you choose to go, the Outer Banks Scenic Byway is an ideal trip for RVers. The roads are well-maintained and the driving is easy. Ferries are accessible and affordable from $30 to $45 per RV ticket. There’s plenty to see and do along the way, including two national seashores, picturesque lighthouses, quaint coastal villages, and two national wildlife refuges. And of course, there are plenty of public and private RV campgrounds.
Outer Banks West – Currituck Sound KOA
- Number of Sites: 240+
- Pad Type: Gravel
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
This campground has one of the best views at sunrise in the Outer Banks. Outer Banks West – Currituck Sound KOA is located on the Currituck Sound with several waterfront and big rig friendly sites.
The grounds offer full hookups, full-service bathrooms, and a general store. Guests also have access to water sport rentals, fishing, recreational trails, swimming, and activities hosted by the campground.
The towns of Corolla and Kitty Hawk are nearby, and so are breweries, vineyards, and wild horse tours.
Frisco Woods Campground
- Number of Sites: 236
- Pad Type: Grass
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
Frisco Woods Campground is located on the Pamlico Sound in the heart of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is another waterfront campground with big rig access.
Frisco Woods Campground is a family-friendly area with hookups, full-service restrooms, a general store, and a swimming pool. It also offers access to watersports and a boat ramp.
This campground is near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, windsurfing, kayaking, and surfing.
North River Campground
- Number of Sites: 83
- Pad Type: Gravel with concrete pad
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
“The campground was lovely. There were trees surrounding the campground, with a pond in the middle. Most of the campsites backed up to the pond … There was plenty of room in the site for the truck, fifth wheel, and Jeep. The campground easily handles big rigs,” according to a Campendium reviewer.
North River Campground has full hookups, full-service restrooms, a dump station, and a general store. There is a swimming pool, a playground, and a pond for fishing.
This campground is situated in a remote area, making it best suited for a quiet weekend away or a last-minute trip during peak season.
Ocean Waves Campground
- Number of Sites: 68
- Pad Type: Concrete
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
A short walk separates Ocean Waves Campground from the beach. It’s a perfectly located family-owned destination in Waves, North Carolina, that campers return to every season.
The grounds have full hookups, full-service restrooms, a swimming pool, ocean access, and a general store.
Although the dunes obscure the view of the Atlantic Ocean, the campground carries the salty air and has a quintessential beach town vibe.
Cape Hatteras KOA
- Number of Sites: 345
- Pad Type: Mixed
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
Nestled in quiet Rodanthe, North Carolina, is Cape Hatteras KOA between the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound. It’s located in the central Outer Banks along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
This large, big rig friendly KOA property offers full hookups, full-service restrooms, and a dump station. Aside from prime water access, the grounds also have a pool, hot tub, and bike rentals.
Nearby is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and the town of Corolla.
Rodanthe Watersports Campground
- Number of Sites: 25
- Pad Type: Gravel
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
Watch kite surfers in the water at sunset from your campsite at Rodanthe Watersports Campground. While this campground is small, each site has a view of the Pamlico Sound.
The campground offers partial hookups and a full-service restroom. It’s also known for its watersport rentals, and guests have the option of paddleboards, kayaks, and surfboards. You can even take sailboat lessons.
Rodanthe Watersports is run by the Bigney family and is a staple in town. Nearby towns include Buxton and Ocracoke.
Frisco Campground
- Number of Sites: 127
- Pad Type: Concrete
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
“Frisco Campground couldn’t have been nicer; I would give this place 10 stars if I could. This was the first campground where I heard more noise from the outdoors than from other campers,” according to a Campenium reviewer.
Frisco Campground is one of four affordable campgrounds run by the National Park Service at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It’s a waterfront dry camping location with privacy and seclusion that’s hard to come by during peak season. Reservations are recommended via Recreation.gov and can be made up to 6 months in advance. The campground is open seasonally from April to November.
Campers have walkable access to the beach and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Cape Point Campground
- Number of Sites: 202
- Pad Type: Concrete
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
Cape Point Campground is located on the point of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with an ample amount of space away from the road. Reservations are recommended via Recreation.gov; the campground is open seasonally from April to November.
When you arrive at Cape Point Campground, expect a rustic dry camping experience with few amenities. The elevation is low in this area so expect flooding and other weather events during hurricane season.
Oregon Inlet Campground
- Number of Sites: 120
- Pad Type: Concrete
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
Unlike the other Cape Hatteras National Seashore campgrounds, Oregon Inlet Campground offers partial hookups at some sites, a dump station, and full-service restrooms with warm water. It’s also open year-round. Reservations are recommended via Recreation.gov and can be made up to 6 months in advance.
Situated in Nags Head, this campground is centrally located and ideal for day trips around the Outer Banks. Campsites have views of the iconic Bodie Island Lighthouse.
Ocracoke Campground
- Number of Sites: 136
- Pad Type: Concrete
- Reservations: Yes
- Tent Camping: Yes
Ocracoke Campground is located on an island (of the same name) and is a 1- to 3-hour ferry ride from Hatteras, Swan Quarter, or Cedar Island.
The pet-friendly campground only offers dry camping, but it does have a dump station, grills, and full-service restrooms. It’s open year-round and RVs must be less than 40 feet long. Sites are not shaded and mosquitoes are common, so remember to bring sunblock and bug spray. Reservations are recommended via Recreation.gov and open 6 months in advance.
The campground has a bike path that leads directly to the town center. You can even acquire a permit to drive on the beach from the ferry station when you arrive.
