Outer Banks Camping

Camping is an inexpensive, wholesome activity that brings the whole family together. In today's busy, technology-laden lives, camping brings us back to nature while enjoying the simpler side of life.

Camping at the beach is a particular kind of fun. Seeing the sun rise over the ocean is a spectacular way to begin your day, while knowing your tent or RV is a few steps away from the beach. Your fresh catch of the day has never been so scrumptuous as right off the grill at your own campsite. Sleep to the sounds of the surf splashing the sand while you enjoy the sweet ocean breezes.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore has four campgrounds, all capable of serving tents, trailers and motor homes. Except during reservation periods, campsites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

2005 Camping Season

Campground No. Sites Opens Reservations Accepted Closes Fees

Oregon Inlet Campground - Close to the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Modern toilets, drinking water, cold showers, grills, a dump station and picnic tables available. The campground is near the ocean in a flat, sandy area with very little shade. If you tent camp, bring extra-long stakes and mosquito repellent.
120 March 25 No October 10 $20/Day

Cape Point Campground - Located near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Historic District. It is suitable for both tents and R.V's. Modern toilets, drinking water, cold showers, grills, a dump station and picnic tables available. If you tent camp, bring extra-long stakes and mosquito repellent.
202 May 27 No September 5 $20/Day

Ocracoke Campground - Set close to the ocean on Ocracoke Island. It is suitable for tents and R.V's. Modern toilets, drinking water, cold showers, grills, a dump station and picnic tables available. If you tent camp, bring extra-long stakes and mosquito repellent.
136 March 25

Mar. 20 - Oct. 11

Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP October 10 $20/Day

Frisco Campground - Beautiful ocean views and is suitable for both tents and R.V's. Modern toilets, drinking water, cold showers, grills, a dump station and picnic tables available. If you tent camp, bring extra-long stakes and mosquito repellent.
127 March 25 No October 10 $20/Day

Reservations can be made ONLY for Ocracoke Campground through Biospherics Inc. for dates within the period indicated above. To make a reservation for Ocracoke call 1-800-365-2267 or on the internet at reservations.nps.gov. Canadian visitors can use the same telephone number. Visa or Mastercard can be used. Verify that your reservation is for the correct campground, equipment, start date and length of stay.

Camping groups of 7 to 30 people is available by reservation only at Oregon Inlet Campground. For information call 252-441-7425, ext. 230. Group camping is $3.00 per person, including infants and toddlers.

Camping is permitted ONLY at designated campgrounds. Camping reservations cannot exceed 14 consecutive days. All campgrounds have modern restrooms, potable water, unheated showers, grills and tables. NO utility connections are available. The Frisco Campground is located among sand dunes. The other three are on level ground. Soil of all the campgrounds is sandy; therefore longer than normal tent stakes are recommended. There are no shade trees. Mosquitoes may be a problem; netting and repellent are recommended. The campgrounds are located on the ocean side separated from the beach by barrier dunes.

Fees: Holders of Golden Age and Golden Access Passports will pay 50% of the above fees ($10.00).

Site: No more than two vehicles (pop-up camper is considered a vehicle) and six persons may occupy a single site. Parking space for extra vehicles is severely limited, so please plan accordingly. If you must bring more than two vehicles, we recommend you make arrangements to park your extra vehicle outside the park or rent an extra campsite.

Interpretive Programs: These activities usually begin Memorial Day and continue through Labor Day. Upon arrival at campgrounds, a schedule of events listed in the park newspaper "IN THE PARK" may be picked up at the visitor centers or campground kiosks or you may write for a copy after May 15th to Superintendent, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954.

For more information about the national park campgrounds, call (252) 473-2111 or visit http://www.nps.gov/caha/pphtml/camping.html

Thanks to www.outerbanks.org for these campground listings.