Cape Hatteras National Seashore Campgrounds
Hey Campers, I’m considering a late summer trip to the outer banks and I’d prefer boon docking at the primitive NPS camps. My first concern is showing up at the First Served camps and finding no r...
Forum Discussion
We camp several times each year at the NPS campgrouds on the OBX. Frisco is our favorite with Ocracoke second, Oregon Inlet and then Cape Point. You won't have any problem in late summer except for Labor Day weekend and you'll be OK then if you can arrive by end of day Thursday. Ocracoke is the only one of the four that accepts resevations.
27' will be fine for any site at Ocracoke, Oregon Inlet or Cape Point. All three are basically open fields with your standard perimeter loop road having sites on both sides and cross roads also with sites on both sides. Most sites are roughly the same size although Ocracoke does have a few on the northern end that are a bit smaller due to encroaching vegetation.
Frisco has a similar road layout but is nestled within heavily vegetated dunes that provide a fair degree of privacy for many sites. There are some sites (maybe 10%?) that would be tight for your camper. If you can arrive between Monday and noon on Friday, you should be able to get a good site here. P55-57-59-61 are generally considered four of the better sites.
It does get warm but generally there's a decent breeze so its not that uncomfortable. We tented there for years with kids and no fans and survived; nowadays a Maxx Air fan over the bed in our camper is more than sufficient.
During the day, the kids will probably want to be in or near the water; keep em well protected from the sun and they'll be fine. If they're young, consider spending time on the sound side where waves and undertow aren't problems. Defintely take the free ferry over to Ocracoke even if you don't camp there. Lots of history and neat things to do/see aroung Manteo and Nags Head. Highly recomend The Lost Colony Outdoor drama.
Mosquitos and greenheads can be a problem if the wind dies down and its rained recently. Carry spray with the highest deet rating you can find. If you're going to be there for several days, a good screen room can make things a lot more livable - just make sure its well guyed and staked.
Al
27' will be fine for any site at Ocracoke, Oregon Inlet or Cape Point. All three are basically open fields with your standard perimeter loop road having sites on both sides and cross roads also with sites on both sides. Most sites are roughly the same size although Ocracoke does have a few on the northern end that are a bit smaller due to encroaching vegetation.
Frisco has a similar road layout but is nestled within heavily vegetated dunes that provide a fair degree of privacy for many sites. There are some sites (maybe 10%?) that would be tight for your camper. If you can arrive between Monday and noon on Friday, you should be able to get a good site here. P55-57-59-61 are generally considered four of the better sites.
It does get warm but generally there's a decent breeze so its not that uncomfortable. We tented there for years with kids and no fans and survived; nowadays a Maxx Air fan over the bed in our camper is more than sufficient.
During the day, the kids will probably want to be in or near the water; keep em well protected from the sun and they'll be fine. If they're young, consider spending time on the sound side where waves and undertow aren't problems. Defintely take the free ferry over to Ocracoke even if you don't camp there. Lots of history and neat things to do/see aroung Manteo and Nags Head. Highly recomend The Lost Colony Outdoor drama.
Mosquitos and greenheads can be a problem if the wind dies down and its rained recently. Carry spray with the highest deet rating you can find. If you're going to be there for several days, a good screen room can make things a lot more livable - just make sure its well guyed and staked.
Al
