The Outer Banks are narrow strips of sand that go almost the entire length of North Carolina. From Cape Lookout National Seashore to Kitty Hawk is about 150 miles, and there are many camping opportunities along the way, from primitive camping in isolated stretches of beach to resort type areas such as Cape Hatteras. The Outer Banks are rarely a mile wide, and often you can see water on both sides.
Cape Hatteras has some of the largest RV resorts and campgrounds on the islands, and Cape Hatteras is the most popular area of the Outer Banks with tourists.
Some of the larger ones have "oceanfront to sound" camping, split by the only highway on the islands.
Some have as many as 300 sites, most of which are pull-through sites, and they have full hookups--water, sewer and electric--with 50-amp connections. There is cable TV, WiFi swimming pools, fish ponds, recreation centers and planned activities at most of the resorts. There are also miles of beach to walk.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which takes up about a fourth of the Outer Banks, has four campgrounds. Only the one at Ocracoke takes reservations for its 136 sites. The sites have full hookups as well as tent camping. Oregon Inlet, 120 sites; Cape Point, 202 sites;and Frisco, with 127 sites, cannot be reserved. They have full hookups.
Camping is not allowed on the beach areas that are not set aside for camping. These campgrounds are operated by the National Park Service.
Cape Lookout National Seashore is at the south end of the Outer Banks. It is 56 miles over four barrier islands, stretching from the Beaufort Inlet north to Ocracoke Inlet.
The only way to get to the islands is by ferry. Bicycle rentals are available, and there are some motorized vehicles for transportation. Cabins are available, and you can camp on the beaches. The area is totally undeveloped, so you must take anything you need--including water-- with you.
North of Cape Hatteras, the area is a bit more tourist-oriented. The beaches are still beautiful, just a bit more crowded in the summer, and things are more developed. Campgrounds are likely to have more amenities such as planned activities.
Nags Head, and Kitty Hawk are at the north end of the Outer Banks, and this is the most populated area as far as year-round residents. Kitty Hawk has a nice museum about the Wright Brothers historic flight.
There are many campgrounds along the beach here. Some are large, and some are small, but about all of them have full hookups, cable TV and WiFi.
