All-We are looking into an Outer Banks camping vacation in June 2017. We would like to stay beachside if possible. I found the Hatteras KOA and Camp Hatteras however the sites look very close together. The state parks don't have any hook-ups which could be a problem since we are staying for 6 nights and driving 1000 miles. Any suggestions?

The KOA is very tight, more like a parking lot. Camp Hatteras is better spaced and there is a choice of sites, either ocean side or on the sound side.Oregon Inlet campground has no hookups but there are restrooms and showers. A free dump station and fresh water are available at the Oregon Inlet Marina less than 1/2 mile.The fishing at the Oregon Inlet bridge can be fantastic.

We did the KOA. Although right on the ocean, there is no view because of the large dune between the CG and the water. Here are a number of threads on OBX from the last year or so.thread 1thread 2thread 3thread 4

The KOA has an "interesting" policy. If you want to request a site that is available, when you make the registration, the only way they will guarantee the site is for you to pay an extra $20 fee. Moreover, if two or three RVs are traveling together and reserve adjacent sites (available when registrations were made) the only way they will guarantee you will have adjacent sites when you arrive, is for all parties to pay an additional $20 fee. At least that was their policy last April. They told me it was a benefit they were providing.Tom

pulsar wrote:The KOA has an "interesting" policy. If you want to request a site that is available, when you make the registration, the only way they will guarantee the site is for you to pay an extra $20 fee. Moreover, if two or three RVs are traveling together and reserve adjacent sites (available when registrations were made) the only way they will guarantee you will have adjacent sites when you arrive, is for all parties to pay an additional $20 fee. At least that was their policy last April. They told me it was a benefit they were providing.TomWow. They are wanting to make camping unaffordable anymore. I am kinda leaning towards Camp Hatteras but haven't made up my mind as of yet.

As others have noted, all campgrounds on the northern Outer Banks (Ocracoke north to VA state line) have a row of dunes between the ocean and nearest campsites which limit direct views of the water. I also think you'll find the 'tight' site size applicable to any of the commercial offerings and this closeness will be exacerbated due to your visit being in prime season.If a water view is important, some campgrounds offer sound side sites that are directly on the water - Camp Hatteras in Rodanthe and Frisco Woods in Frisco are two that come to mind. Another option is the National Park Service Campground in Frisco. A few of the upper sites there afford a good view of the ocean albeit from a distance of a quarter mile or so.There are no state parks on the Outer Banks; all public campgrounds are Federal. Cape Hatteras National Seashore extends from Nags Head to Ocracoke with several breaks for small towns or villages and offers four campgrounds. From north to south - Oregon Inlet, Cape Point, Frisco and Ocracoke. Friso is located within wooded rolling dunes and has many large sites with a good bit of privacy. The other three have fairly large sites but are located in open 'fields' with no vegetation separating them. Google Earth should give you a fairly good idea of their layouts. NPS Frisco CampgroundWe now often stay for a week or more at one of the NPS campgrounds with Frisco being our favorite but, when our daughter was young, we used one of the commercial facilities (KOA, Camp Hatteras or Frisco Woods) for their hookups (AC can be nice) and activities for kids.Drop me a PM with the types of activities you enjoy and I may be able to make some useful suggestions. Whatever you do, be sure to take the Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry - it's free and a unique experience.Al

Outer Banks | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

bgradert
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
pulsar wrote:
The KOA has an "interesting" policy. If you want to request a site that is available, when you make the registration, the only way they will guarantee the site is for you to pay an extra $20 fee. Moreover, if two or three RVs are traveling together and reserve adjacent sites (available when registrations were made) the only way they will guarantee you will have adjacent sites when you arrive, is for all parties to pay an additional $20 fee. At least that was their policy last April. They told me it was a benefit they were providing.

Tom

Wow. They are wanting to make camping unaffordable anymore. I am kinda leaning towards Camp Hatteras but haven't made up my mind as of yet.
pulsar
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
The KOA has an "interesting" policy. If you want to request a site that is available, when you make the registration, the only way they will guarantee the site is for you to pay an extra $20 fee. Moreover, if two or three RVs are traveling together and reserve adjacent sites (available when registrations were made) the only way they will guarantee you will have adjacent sites when you arrive, is for all parties to pay an additional $20 fee. At least that was their policy last April. They told me it was a benefit they were providing.

Tom
jplante4
Explorer II
Dec 06, 2016
We did the KOA. Although right on the ocean, there is no view because of the large dune between the CG and the water. Here are a number of threads on OBX from the last year or so.

thread 1

thread 2

thread 3

thread 4
harold1946
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
The KOA is very tight, more like a parking lot. Camp Hatteras is better spaced and there is a choice of sites, either ocean side or on the sound side.
Oregon Inlet campground has no hookups but there are restrooms and showers. A free dump station and fresh water are available at the Oregon Inlet Marina less than 1/2 mile.
The fishing at the Oregon Inlet bridge can be fantastic.

Forum Discussion

Outer Banks

24 Replies

About Campground 101

Related Content

Outer banks

Outer Banks

Outer Banks

Outer Banks

outer banks NC