Hi friends,We're headed to the outer banks this weekend, staying for several days at least. I'd appreciate any tips y'all may have on the best places to stay with a TC. Keep in mind that I'm rolling on 19.5's, so beach travel is limited to hard-pack only. Thanx!Cheers,-Mark

We have come in from the north and stay at Oregon Inlet Campground. This is a NPS campground, the showers are not heated. From here we will visit the Nags Head area, Kitty hawk etc. Bodie light house etc. There is a good HD and a food market just before you get on the bridge to go to the Outer Banks. On the Outer Banks sea food markets are available, for very local we go to Billy's Seafood.Next stop for a stay is Ocracoke Island NPS campground. Again, I don't think the showers have hot water. Along the way we may visit the Hatteras lighthouse and just stop along the way. There is a ferry along the way, no charge. Ocracoke we just walk around visit the carver Down Point Decoys and will usually pickup something. He keeps island hours as do a lot of places.Mc Nally's sea food market has good food, as do most of the places on the Outer Banks. We don't go on the beach with the truck. There are rules to be followed permits to be acquired and equipment needed that I just don't want to bother with. I have been in enough sand and don't do it unless absolutely necessary. I don't fish the Outer Banks, we just have not had the time to do it right. Ocracoke seems to be the drum capital of the Outer Banks at least, and has a good fishing shop just as you come into town on the east side of the street, we get ice there. The nice thing about Ocracoke is that unless its weekend or a holiday it can be very quiet and the beach is a great place to just see what is going on with the birds and fish.We leave via ferry to Cedar Island. Its a nice ferry ride.We have been to the Outer Banks twice and its been a great place to visit. Have a good trip.Rick

Thank you Rick, this is great advice!We're getting on the road right now... should be there be sunset :)Cheers,-Mark

We stay at KOA in waves but it's commercial expensive. I plan on doing the NPS places this year. I don't think they have electric either?There is one my near Hatteras lighthouse, but not sure how far the walk to Beach is.

If ever down there in outer Banks go to Wanchese and eat at the Fisherman's Warf. Drive over to Roanoke Island and make a left to Wanchese. When you get into the town it's at the harbor on the left -- can't miss it. Best seafood around NC. Dining room overlooks the docks and harbor. Very nice ambience and properly cooked scallops.

Don't miss the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at the south tip of Hatteras near the free ferry to Ocracoke. Lots of cool stuff.

Truck Camping in the Outer Banks. Suggestions needed!

18 Replies

thedavidzoo
Explorer II
May 17, 2016
It has been 5 years, but I think there were water spigots right around the shower area we used, at Ocracoke.
Oldtymeflyr
Explorer
May 17, 2016
Yes, at the dump stations there is potable water. The dump stations are about 1/2 mile from the camping sites. I do not know the details of Hatteras Campground.
towpro
Explorer
May 17, 2016
one last question, do these NPS campgrounds in OBX have a place I can fill those collapsible 5 gallons jugs to add to my tanks?
thedavidzoo
Explorer II
May 17, 2016
We had a good site at Ocracoke, basically up and over the dune to the beach. Spent 10 nights one summer. Those unheated showers are a trip! Very rustic in a good way!
towpro
Explorer
May 16, 2016
Thanks Cptn, been going there for years but never swayed much away from the KOA or hatteris resorts for camping. now that were empty nesters and not towing 30 something feet behind me I am inclined to try other places.
if I spend 1/2 as much can I go twice as often? :).

the KOA used to have a "fisherman's special" deal where I think it was $750 and you could use up to 30 days divided up as you wanted between mid October and Easter. We looked forward to getting older where we could maybe come down for 2 weeks in October than split the last 2 weeks over the winter.
last year they changed the rules so now its 30 consecutive days :(
but now the NPS is open into November I think.
CptnBG
Explorer
May 16, 2016
Depending on where you are parked at Ocracoke but it is not far at all. Some sites are right at the dunes. There is also a ramp with public parking beside the campground, also a very short walk.

Cape Point NPS Campground has a lot of problem with flooding. I've never camped there.

There is also a NPS Campground at Frisco. A little more of a walk but again there is parking at the ramp. Also a boardwalk from the campground. The upper loop has great views of the ocean but quite a long walk.
towpro
Explorer
May 16, 2016
how far is the walk from the NPS campground in Ocracoke to the actual beach/water?
how about cape point campground?
we get spoiled at the KOA, the only thing between the beach and campground is a dune (and some times a lot of that is also missing)
CptnBG
Explorer
May 16, 2016
That system blew through Southwest Va as well, lotta wind! Enjoy Ocracoke, one of my favorite places. Have a meal/beverage at Howard's Pub. Even with your 19.5's, you may be able to drive out the sand road to the beach at ramp 72, just don't go through the ramp (soft sand). You can rent golf carts in the village, a great way to tour the island but you can't take them out on the beach.
towpro
Explorer
May 16, 2016
it usually rains all week every time I go there also.
so this year we are going several times for long weekends. Surly we will find some sun.

Getting closer now, put in the inverter so we can watch satellite off batteries.
my fear is going into a national campground and the guy next to me runs a "lawn mower" generator all day.
msiminoff
Explorer II
May 16, 2016
Well, this is what we were greeted with upon arrival in Kill Devil Hills (Kitty Hawk) last night...

We stayed dry and enjoyed the light show, but boy oh boy was it LOUD for a while.

Down in the Hatteras area now and heading to Ocracoke soon. We don't need hookups and we're very much looking forward to the peace and quiet.

Thanks for all of the tips!!
-Mark