11 Best Places to Camp in the Outer Banks (2024)

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is quickly becoming one of our favorite destinations outside of Ohio. They have fun tourist cities and remote, barren beaches, so there’s really something for every type of traveler. Even campers will find a diverse range of campgrounds in the Outer Banks. If you want to know where to camp in the Outer Banks, this post is for you!

Outer Banks Campgrounds

From commercial campgrounds with all the amenities to quiet camping on the beach, the OBX on the North Carolina Coast has every kind of camping you could want. Starting in the north and working our way south, these are the best places to camp in the Outer Banks.

Outer Banks West/Currituck KOA

You’ll find this RV park in Coinjock, on the way to the Outer Banks. Part of the KOA family, this campground has all the amenities you’ve come to associate with the brand; laundry facilities, a camp store, playground, dog park, and clean restrooms as well as something else- the Currituck Sound that provides an expansive playground for those looking to swim, kayak, fish, crab or simply watch the sunset on the water.

This campground provides an alternative to the busy Outer Banks area yet is only an hour drive from the Nags Head beach. Enjoy wine tasting, farmer’s markets and a relaxed camping experience. Waterfront RV’s and cabins are available to rent for those who want to give camping a try but don’t have their own equipment.

Read our review of the property: Camping at the Outer Banks West / Currituck KOA

Address: 1631 Waterlily Road Coinjock, NC 27923
Phone: (252) 453-2732
Website: Outer Banks West/Currituck KOA

OBX Campground

This camping spot in Kill Devil Hills is perfect for RV campers looking for a relaxing time in nature. You won’t find swimming pools or mini-golf at the OBX Campground, but what you will find is a clean, quiet campground with sweeping water views, on-site laundry, showers, and just over 50 RV sites with cable TV, electric and water/sewer hookups.

The campground is conveniently located near the beach and many Outer Banks attractions, including shopping, dining, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial.This campground is strictly for self-contained units, there are no tent sites available.

Address: 126 Marshy Ridge Road Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Phone Number: (252) 564- 4741
Website: http://www.obxcampground.com/

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

For the ultimate Outer Banks camping experience, we recommend heading straight to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Within the National Park Service area, there are four campgrounds to choose from, each offering the opportunity to get back to nature with beach access and wildlife viewing. These four campgrounds are spread across the length of the Outer Banks, so each has its own unique features and nearby attractions. All of the campgrounds are located on the ocean side of the banks, with only sand dunes separating campers from the crashing waves of the beach.

• Oregon Inlet Campground – the only Cape Hatteras National Seashore campground that is open year-round and has heated showers, Oregon Inlet offers 120 sites, including 47 with hookups.
• Cape Point Campground – with just over 200 campsites, this is the largest campground located in Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
• Frisco – if you want to camp amidst the sand dunes, then you want to camp at Frisco Campground. With 127 scattered around the dunes, you’ll feel like you have your own private beach getaway.
• Ocraco*ke Campground – 136 campsites on the beach, just minutes away from nearby villages. This is the “end of the road” on Ocraco*ke Island in the Outer Banks, but you can easily hop on a ferry back to the mainland.

The Refuge on Roanoke Island

This camping spot on Roanoke Island is truly a refuge. Located in the fishing village of Wanchese, the Refuge on Roanoke Island has 59 camping sites with full hookups. This is mostly a long-term campground, so only 15 are open to short-term renters. These waterfront sites take advantage of the natural beauty surrounding the Outer Banks.

The campground does have a swimming pool, a bathhouse, and a pavilion for community gatherings and events. Given that most of the campsites here are for year-long leases, the clientele at the Refuge skews towards retirees, so you’ll find that this is a safe, quiet place to camp in the Outer Banks.

Address: 2881 NC Highway 345, Wanchese, NC 27981
Phone Number: (252) 473-1096
Website: Refuge on Roanoke Island

North Beach Campground

This Rodanthe campground is the perfect spot for families who are all about the beach! The majority of this campground is for long-term renters and retirees, but they do have nightly site rentals as well as a tent camping area. A short boardwalk separates the campground from the beach and the ocean, and an on-site general store means you won’t have to leave the property for days on end!

A swimming pool, bathhouse, and laundry room add to the amenities you’ll find at North Beach Campground. You’re also just minutes away from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and the Wright Brothers’ Memorial. Affordable rates make this a great place for Outer Banks travelers on a budget.

Address: 23781 NC-12, Rodanthe, NC 27968
Phone Number: (252) 987-2378
Website: North Beach Campground

Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort

If you want the full resort experience while camping in the Outer Banks, you have to check out the Cape Hatteras KOA Resort. The campground is a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Coast beach, and there are tons of on-site activities to keep the whole family entertained.

They have a zero-entry pool, two waterslides, lap lanes, and a hot tub! There’s also a poolside cafe, movie nights, and all kinds of special events. Every kind of camper will love the Cape Hatteras KOA; there are fully-equipped RV sites, Deluxe Cabins, Deluxe Suites, camping cabins, and tent sites. This is NOT your typical campground!

Address: 25094 NC-12, Waves, NC 27982
Phone Number: (252) 987-2307
Website: Cape Hatteras KOA Resort

Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground

Next to the KOA, Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground also offers a full resort experience for the whole family. The campground covers nearly the entire stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pamlico Sound, so you’ll have easy access to water no matter which site you choose.

The campground offers full hookup sites with level pads and patios, an indoor pool, an outdoor heated pool, a kiddie pool, and a jacuzzi. There’s also a ton of family-friendly sports like tennis, basketball, shuffleboard, miniature golf, and more! There’s a marina where you can rent watercraft, or rent a bike and cruise the island. This is truly the most comprehensive campground in the Outer Banks; they even have rental units if you don’t have your own RV!

Address: 24738 NC-12, Rodanthe, NC 27968
Phone Number:(252) 987-4010
Website: Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground

Sands of Time Campground

Not far from the fishing village of Avon, the Sands of Time Campground has a low-key feel for a quiet camping experience in the Outer Banks. This simple campground has full hookup sites, as well as tent sites, and a two-bedroom cottage for rent.

You have the best of both worlds at Sands of Time, as you can enjoy a quiet retreat at the campground, but you are just a ten-minute walk from the beaches and restaurants of Avon. It’s also located just six miles from the world’s tallest lighthouse, and many other things to do in this part of the Outer Banks.

Address: 40523 N End Rd, Avon, NC 27915
Phone Number: (252) 995-5596
Website: Sands of Time Campground

Cape Woods Campground & Cabins

Located in Buxton, this Outer Banks campground is a quiet, family-owned campground with simple amenities for the whole family. Cape Woods Campgrounds & Cabins is perfect for a multigenerational trip to the Outer Banks, as they have tent sites, RV sites, and cabin rentals, which means even your non-camping family and friends can join you.

A swimming pool, hot showers, and laundry room add to the convenience of this Outer Banks campground. The campground is just minutes from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, as well as many other area attractions.

Address: 47646 and 47649 Buxton Back Rd BuxtonNC 27920
Phone Number: (252) 996-3600
Website: Cape Woods Campgrounds & Cabins

Hatteras Sands Campground

Located in the heart of Hatteras Village, the Hatteras Sands Campground offers the best of both worlds. They have over 60 RV sites, adorable beach cottages, cozy cabins, a single-wide trailer, and tent sites. You can choose waterfront lots for the easiest access to the beach, but this Outer Banks campground is truly within walking distance to so many local attractions.

You can launch a kayak right into the canal, or walk or bike to the beach, ferry, and shops nearby. On property, enjoy an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a huge clubhouse and game room with ping pong, billiards, pinball and board games.

Address: 57316 Eagle Pass Rd, Hatteras, NC 27943
Phone Number: (252) 986-2422
Website: Hatteras Sands Campground

Teeter’s Campground

The town of Ocraco*ke is pretty much the end of the road in the Outer Banks; from here, you would need to take a ferry to continue south or to head back to the mainland. Teeter’s Campground has been family-owned and operated here since 1976 and still retains the charm of simpler times.

This Outer Banks campground is located next to the historic British Cemetery and is just a few blocks from the ferry terminal. They offer tent sites and RV sites with full hookups, as well as WiFi at each site. Golf cart rentals are also nearby and is a super fun way to explore the surrounding area, and especially convenient if you aren’t towing a vehicle with your RV!

Address: 200 British Cemetery Rd, Ocraco*ke, NC 27960
Phone Number: (252) 588-2030
Website: Teeter’s Campground

Have you camped in the Outer Banks? Leave a comment and tell us about your favorite campground.