Thinking about a trip in Sept to the Carolina coast from Nashville. Like to fish, kayak, hike, and see history. Anybody knowledgeable? Barb and the 4 chocolates

September on the NC Coast? Look for a good shelter to get to in order to get out of the way of the oncoming hurricane. Actually, that's a good time of year to be there. Less people. Still quite warm and smack dab in the middle of hurricane season. Fast seating at many of the local restaurants. RV Parks aren't as crowded. Stap at the Welcome Center as you enter the state and look for the area you're interested in and enjoy your time.

We like Frisco Woods Campground in Frisco, on the Outer Banks of NC. It is further down Hatteras Island than Rodanthe (where Camp Hatteras and the KOA are), a little less touristy, and closer to most of the beaches that are drivable. The Campground is directly on the "Sound" side of the island, so kayaking is right there - you can rent them if you don't want to drag your own. It is near the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" museum, the Hatteras Lighthouse, and the ferry to Okacroke Island. Fishing and beaching is excellent.

When I lived in NC I liked to go to Emerald Isle as it was a much shorter trip than the Outer Banks and has more restaurants, shops, etc. Completely different feel than the Outer Banks which is a pretty remote area. While at Emerald Isle you are only a few miles south of Beaufort which has a lot of maritime historic sites. Both places have great beaches.

We are going to Holiday Trav-L Park in Emerald Isle in 3 weeks. This will be our first visit, so I don't have any first hand knowledge.

I second the Emerald Isle idea because we live here. Since you kayak, you might like the Croatan National Forest campground on the mainland in Cedar Point with electric hookups. The price is definitely right. We're going there ths weekend, in fact.The campground can be reserved ahead and is about two or three miles from the bridge to Emerald Isle for the beach, and close to a good Lowe's grocery store, fuel, etc. The little waterfront town of Swansboro is a few miles away, for restaurants and fresh seafood. As another poster says, Beaufort NC is 35 or so minutes away, with loads of history (no campgrounds.) NC Maritime Museum just hauled up another cannon from Blackbeard's sunken flagship just off shore. Old Burying Ground is fascinating. Beaufort Grocery is our favorite lunch place, just a half block from the waterfront. One of my favorite towns in NC.I believe the campground had a kayak launch. It also has a nice hiking trail on a boardwalk through the marsh. Cedar Point is really popular for kayaking all along the little islets in the sound.I know a guy who takes people fishing around here. Send me a private message if you want his name. You can also surf fish on the beach over on EI.

best places to go in Sept on N carolina coast

14 Replies

Bob_in_NC
Explorer
Jul 01, 2013
magnusfide wrote:
Bob_in_NC wrote:
We stayed at Frisco Woods years ago and it was a non stop party until 4am. We have not been back because of this.

Barb wants to go in September and it should be much quieter then. What was the date you were there, Bob?

We were there during the summer. You may not have trouble in September, but I do not know for sure. When we were there, partying was tolerated and we had trouble sleeping.

Let us know about your stay there after you get back home. I hope everything goes well for you.
magnusfide
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2013
Bob_in_NC wrote:
We stayed at Frisco Woods years ago and it was a non stop party until 4am. We have not been back because of this.

Barb wants to go in September and it should be much quieter then. What was the date you were there, Bob?
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
Bob_in_NC wrote:
We stayed at Frisco Woods years ago and it was a non stop party until 4am. We have not been back because of this.

I think it all depends who are there when you are. We've been in our spot at ocean lakes for just over a week now. Was really quiet last year as we were surrounded by older people. They've pretty much left now and there is a younger crowd (our age) and its not as quiet but still way quieter than up front. It's amazing how much a day can make.

But everyone is quiet at quiet time.
Bill___Kate
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
Bob_in_NC wrote:
We stayed at Frisco Woods years ago and it was a non stop party until 4am. We have not been back because of this.

We have never been at Frisco Woods during the July-August summer season when the kids are out of school - only been there May-June or September-November, and it is very quiet then .....
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
That holiday trav l park looks nice.
Campinghoss
Explorer II
Jun 29, 2013
We always go to Ocean Waves Campground in Rodanthe NC. I have heard more folks who don't like Frisco because of the partying. Ocean Waves is right on the ocean and is very quiet. KOA and Camp Hatteras are ok too but cost much more than OW.
You have the sound on the west side to do your kayaking in. You are not that far from Cape Hatteras. If you do not like being away from it all then E Isle would be the place to go.
It really depends on what you want to do.
Bob_in_NC
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
We stayed at Frisco Woods years ago and it was a non stop party until 4am. We have not been back because of this.
dakasa47
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
We visited the Outer Banks for the first time in April. We had a wonderful stay at Camp Hatteras in Wave, NC.
magnusfide
Explorer II
Jun 25, 2013
Bill & Kate wrote:
We like Frisco Woods Campground in Frisco, on the Outer Banks of NC. It is further down Hatteras Island than Rodanthe (where Camp Hatteras and the KOA are), a little less touristy, and closer to most of the beaches that are drivable. The Campground is directly on the "Sound" side of the island, so kayaking is right there - you can rent them if you don't want to drag your own. It is near the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" museum, the Hatteras Lighthouse, and the ferry to Okacroke Island. Fishing and beaching is excellent.

Double ditto on Frisco Woods.
NCWriter
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
I second the Emerald Isle idea because we live here. Since you kayak, you might like the Croatan National Forest campground on the mainland in Cedar Point with electric hookups. The price is definitely right. We're going there ths weekend, in fact.

The campground can be reserved ahead and is about two or three miles from the bridge to Emerald Isle for the beach, and close to a good Lowe's grocery store, fuel, etc. The little waterfront town of Swansboro is a few miles away, for restaurants and fresh seafood.

As another poster says, Beaufort NC is 35 or so minutes away, with loads of history (no campgrounds.) NC Maritime Museum just hauled up another cannon from Blackbeard's sunken flagship just off shore. Old Burying Ground is fascinating. Beaufort Grocery is our favorite lunch place, just a half block from the waterfront. One of my favorite towns in NC.

I believe the campground had a kayak launch. It also has a nice hiking trail on a boardwalk through the marsh. Cedar Point is really popular for kayaking all along the little islets in the sound.

I know a guy who takes people fishing around here. Send me a private message if you want his name. You can also surf fish on the beach over on EI.