North Carolina Ocean Campgrounds.

[fj12ryder]

I've done a RV.net Search for North Carolina Beach Campgrounds, Ocean Campgrounds, and just plain North Carolina Campgrounds and have gotten zero results. I'm not sure what the problem is.

Anyway we are planning a trip to North Carolina and the Outer Banks area: Hatteras, Nags Head, etc.

We are planning on being there around September 19th with our 40' toyhauler. My question:

Would you who have camped there and enjoyed it recommend someplace to stay for a week or so. I've been to RVParkReviews and found some places that look good, but some actual experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Any and all responses will be received with gratitude. TIA.

[huachuca]

fj12ryder wrote:
Thanks Mcamper, that's a shame about the drama. Yes, we are staying at Ocean Waves so that should be good. Several people have recommended it and the location looks like it will work just fine.

Now to find some good motorcycling roads on our way back home to spend some time on. It looks like there are plenty to choose from, and we should be able to find some we haven't ridden yet. 🙂

Apologies for missing the date of your visit. The theater is still worth a visit as the grounds adjoin those of Fort Raleigh National Historic site which gives a great narrative of the attempted settlement.

If you enjoy twisty mountain roads on the bike, Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway are two awesome rides in the western part of the state.

[Mcamper]

fj12ryder wrote:
Thanks Mcamper, that's a shame about the drama. Yes, we are staying at Ocean Waves so that should be good. Several people have recommended it and the location looks like it will work just fine.

Now to find some good motorcycling roads on our way back home to spend some time on. It looks like there are plenty to choose from, and we should be able to find some we haven't ridden yet. 🙂

That is a good choice. I have stayed at Ocean Waves before. Since you are new to visiting the area I have a couple of things. Remember that that area has limited stores. (Limited commercial development is one thing that makes this area special.). Also, Ocean Waves does have WI fi but it is not dependable. It may not be important to you but worth mentioning.

[fj12ryder]

Thanks Mcamper, that's a shame about the drama. Yes, we are staying at Ocean Waves so that should be good. Several people have recommended it and the location looks like it will work just fine.

Now to find some good motorcycling roads on our way back home to spend some time on. It looks like there are plenty to choose from, and we should be able to find some we haven't ridden yet. 🙂

[Mcamper]

fj12ryder wrote:
Thanks Huachuca, we were hoping to see the sights and do some stuff while we're there. I've been out in the area before, but it was many years ago and didn't spend time there. I would be interested in The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama, I've always been intrigued about the Roanoke Island colony.

As long as the weather holds it will all be good. 🙂

It sounds as if you are well on the way to planning your Outer Banks visit. I saw that you are interested in The Lost Colony outdoor drama. It is great and well worth seeing. I did want to let you know that this drama only runs from June through August. I saw you were planning on coming mid September and the season will be done by then. I hope you are having luck with finding a campground. As you can see the NC beaches have a good number of campgrounds directly on the ocean!

[fj12ryder]

Lookin' good so far, and it appears we've narrowed the choices down considerably. Many thanks.

[Monster9903]

We have stayed at Cape Hatteras KOA, Camp Hatteras, and Ocean Waves. All are good choices. Ocean Waves gets a bonus as being priced at about 1/2 of the others. The only problem is getting a site it is booked up pretty often. This summer we are trying Frisco Woods. We needed 3 sites and a cabin. We got all at a reasonable price and they were very nice helping us set up our family reunion.:-)

[fj12ryder]

Thanks for the heads-up about the soft sand. The last thing I need is to get stuck somewhere.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

In late March we drove / took the ferry from Cedar Island to Ocracoke to Hatteras and out on US-158 at Kitty Hawk.

There is every type of camping a person would want - from full resorts to bare beach camping.

North of Nags Head - the highway is lined with motels, restaurants, stores, etc.

South of Nags Head it tends to be 5-10 miles of bare undeveloped land with beach access and small villages about 2-3 miles long.

My feeling was that Rodanthe was the most developed area. We stayed in Avon at Sands of Time CG. For two reasons - it was the closest to the Hatteras Light that was open, and it was for the Passport America rate. Well also because the NPS campgrounds were not open.

Sands of Time is a nice clean CG - but isn't a resort CG with pool and activities for the kid. We would likely stay there again, though we might go to Frisco Woods for a longer stay.

One thing was obvious to me - the farther down the island you are - the longer drive can easily become a lengthy bumper to bumper multi-hour ordeal on busy holidays or key camping weeks.

We really like Ocracoke - and will stay at the NPS campground there some time - but even in March - the traffic for the ferry was such that we had to way until the third departure - the last of the day - to get off the island and on to main Hatteras Island.

Another thing - obey the warnings about beach driving. That sand is very soft, you can sink axle deep with a TV just pulling off the side of the road to watch the sunset. Did that between Avon and Buxton.

[Community Alumni]

fj12ryder wrote:
.....
Green Bay fan perhaps? 🙂

Big time! :C

... Eric

[fj12ryder]

Bill & Kate, thanks for the clarification. Now that really looks intriguing and with full hookups it goes on our short list. 🙂

[Bill___Kate]

fj12ryder wrote:
Bill & Kate, very nice photos, but we are too spoiled to go without our hookups. 🙂 Although that sure does tempt a person.

Frisco Woods has full hookups including cable tv on most of the water front sites....It is the National Park campgrounds that have no hookups - they are all on the ocean side.

[fj12ryder]

Thanks Huachuca, we were hoping to see the sights and do some stuff while we're there. I've been out in the area before, but it was many years ago and didn't spend time there. I would be interested in The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama, I've always been intrigued about the Roanoke Island colony.

As long as the weather holds it will all be good. 🙂

[fj12ryder]

Bill & Kate, very nice photos, but we are too spoiled to go without our hookups. 🙂 Although that sure does tempt a person.

[Bill___Kate]

huachuca wrote:
As you've seen, Camp Hatteras, KOA and Ocean Waves are the big three and all are located in the Rodanthe area. Frisco Woods is thirty miles further south where the atmosphere is a little more laid back. We actually prefer the NPS campground also located at Frisco above any of the private offerings but you'd have go without hookups.

We prefer Frisco Woods also - stay on the soundside for the sunsets, and load up the van and drive onto the beach - access is less than a mile away from the campground. In fact we are headed there for two weeks right after Memorial Day. Here are some shots from last year.