Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Love Hatteras KOA. We stayed here for over 15 years in tents, then eventually worked our way up to the cabins. Now that we are RV owners we are able to stay here in our own camper. Good thing because the nightly prices for cabins became WAY overpriced. The RV sites are getting pricey as well. The proximity to the beach is great. There are no roads to cross so the campground is oceanfront. The pool is really nice and my wife and I feel comfortable with the kids riding their bikes all over the facility. There is a cafe onsite serving breakfast and lunch (dinner too I think). Although I typically use my mobile hot spot, Wifi is available. To top it all off Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of the most beautiful places in the US. I would give 5 stars if it wasn’t so expensive.

We tent camped on the first weekend the campground opened this spring and brought our dog. We had our choice of campsites. Sites along the back side of the perimeter loop have a view of the ocean while sites on the front side of the perimeter loop are closer to the boardwalks leading to the beaches. Sites are on the larger side for the most part and many have some sense of privacy. This is the only Park run campground in Cape Hatteras National Seashore that has any bit of shade. Showers are not heated and bath houses are clean but basic (they do have soap). Watch out for cactus and sand spurs. There were no bugs yet so our screen room was not necessary. The rangers were extremely helpful and kind, suggesting local restaurants and activities. There is a trail to the Cape Point Campground and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse but it is quite long. There is a beach access ramp right next to the ranger station if you want to drive your 4wd vehicle on the beach. If you need ice, gas, basic groceries, a sweatshirt, or fishing gear, Frisco Rod and Gun is only about a mile and opens early and closes late.

General: One of four Cape Hatteras National Seashore Campgrounds. Campsites in three loops, A-C. A is for tents only, but with paved camper pads; there were several vans in these sites. No generators are allowed in this loop. There are no defined tent pads, and a few erected their tents directly on the camper pad. The B and C loops have a combination of W/E sites and sites with no hookups. The utility sites cost $7 more, which is very reasonable. There is one ADA-accessible site in the B loop next to a ramp to the restroom. You will hear road noise from nearly every site, but it is worse in the mornings. 

Site Quality: Some camper pads are very short, while others are more generous in size; all are paved and mostly level. We had reserved B4 but switched to B16 upon arrival (this had to be done online with Recreation.gov). B16 was a little longer and closer to the restrooms, but neither had hookups. There is little to no privacy/separation between sites. 

Bath/Shower House: As with the other Cape Hatteras National Seashore NPS campgrounds, the restrooms are basic but clean. This one had a weird red light inside. More than enough hooks for toiletries. Although the website says the showers have hot water, they are not indoor showers, and it was cold and windy when we were there, so I did not use them. 

Activities/Amenities: Several trails have good signage, but access is not well defined (you have to cut between campsites to access them). Although it had not rained in several days, there must have been recent rains as several of these trails were flooded. I did take the trail between Sites C13 and 15, which led to the road that accesses the beach. This beach is not as walkable as Ocracoke and is more suited for vehicles, and I saw several as I walked. The tire tracks made deep ruts, making walking a bit challenging. I am more a fan of kayaks and SUPS, so motorboats and driving on the beach are not my thing, but if it is yours, you will need a permit to do so. There is a dump station and a potable water fill station, but they are outside the campground and easy to miss as there is no signage at the entrance. If you go over the bridge heading south, you have missed it. 

This was an overnight stop as we traveled north through the Outer Banks, but I liked the more walkable beach at Ocracoke better than this one.

Oregon Inlet Campground is located on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It is the first campground found on the island, very close to Nags Head, on the beach side of route 12.

We prefer campgrounds like Oregon Inlet, because they are natural and have beautiful scenery. We love being within steps of the ocean and being able to stare at the tip of the lighthouse (Bodie Island - you can tell by the direction of the stripes!) through the dunes. The Outer Banks also has some amazing stars - we watched a meteor shower which was incredible!!

Oregon Inlet Campground has a loop (Loop A) which only allows tent camping. Most of the sites are pretty close together (many too close for our comfort) but there are a couple that are tucked back in the dunes and a bit further away from the rest.

This campground has free hot showers - just pull the ring and nice warm water runs for about 20 seconds before shutting off. Outside the bathhouse there is a water fountain that has a water bottle fill up station - which is SO nice at the beach!!! We were able to refill waterbottles easily - with water we felt good about drinking! It also did not have the salty taste that many beach water fountains do!

Just like the other campgrounds in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Oregon Inlet is such great campground. The bathrooms and campground are clean. And so are the showers! Recreation.gov states that this campground has “heated showers.” I checked the water temperature in the shower by B28 and the water sure as heck is...lukewarm. I’ll take it! The outside temperature is mid-60s in the mornings right now (April) so the lukewarm water isn’t a shock to the system! We didn’t have to shower in the van at this campground! Also a change to this campground from the others is the availability of water and power hookups at certain sites. Ours was not one of them. Although to dump you still need to go to the dump station across the street from the campground. The official map actually tells you where to find it this time. The beach is near the campground on the other side of the dune but it’s a longer walk than you might think. Also beware of sand spurs. They aren’t as bad as they were at Frisco but still present.

Internet. For those who work and travel like us, at 7pm on a Thursday: Verizon via iPhone 12 - 47 mbps down, 2.9 mbps up and 51 ping; T-Mobile via Nighthawk MR1100 - 10 mbps down, 39 mbps up and 69 ping.

We just got back from a weekend at Oregon Inlet Campground, and it was such a memorable family experience! If you’re looking for a place to truly enjoy the beauty of the Outer Banks while keeping things simple and family-friendly, this campground is a great option.

From the moment we arrived, the kids were thrilled. The dunes are right next to the campsites and provided hours of fun—running, climbing, sliding, and just being wild and free. It’s not every day your campsite is just steps away from natural sand playgrounds! Plus, the beach is a short walk over the dunes, which made it super easy to head over for sunrise walks, midday swims, and evening shell hunts.

The campsites themselves are fairly basic but clean and well-maintained. They are a little tight, so don’t expect a ton of privacy or room to spread out—but it worked fine for our camper and small family setup. You can definitely tell this campground is designed for folks who want to enjoy the natural surroundings rather than fancy amenities, which we appreciated.

One of the biggest wins for us was how quiet it was at night. Even with kids and families around, there was a calm and peaceful atmosphere that made it easy to relax. We slept great with the sounds of the ocean in the background and woke up refreshed each morning. It didn’t feel like a packed, noisy campground at all—which we were a little worried about at first.

The bathhouse was a pleasant surprise. It was very clean during our stay, and the showers were consistently warm (which felt amazing after sandy beach adventures). Having a warm, clean shower available really made a difference, especially with little kids who don’t exactly love cold rinse-offs.

Another plus was how close we were to other parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. We took a short drive to Bodie Island Lighthouse and also spent some time exploring the nearby marina and visitor center. There’s a lot to do in the area, especially if you enjoy fishing, boating, or just soaking in the natural beauty of the OBX.

Overall, Oregon Inlet Campground gave us everything we wanted for a low-key, nature-filled family getaway. It’s not luxurious, but if you’re coming for the dunes, the beach, and some quality time outdoors, it checks all the boxes. Our kids are already asking when we can go back, and honestly—we’re asking ourselves the same thing!

Went in November which is off season. Very quiet. People were super friendly. Steps from beach. Beautiful pool and huge hit tub. Bar and cafe were closed for season. Great dog park. They were having problems with cable.went in and out. I wouldn't book an end site.....very small and too close to the road.

We spent 2 separate weeks here. The 1st one was planned, the second was because we loved it so much there.

The first thing that captured my heart was the drive in!! It is AMAZING!! The bridges, beach views, sand dunes, inland water views, it is something so pretty it’s hard to describe and be able to capture all the beauty! It truly is something you have to see and experience.

The campground is cute and has a beach vibe. There is a pirate ship playground, a huge pool and hot tub, jumping pillow, basket ball court, your kids will defiantly keep busy! They have my dogs favorite dog parks of all dog parks. They love running free in the sand! The store is cute and. If and has anything and everything you would ever need for an epic beach day.

Speaking of beach…this beach is captivating. The big waves are dreamy. On sunny days you’ll watch surfers and pelicans. Windy days you’ll see kite boarders and pelicans.

We went during the winter and the sea was so amazing. Everyday was a new beach. One day there was a 3’ drop off, the next day it vanished without a trace. The sea birds are adorable. And there are always fishermen being in something exciting be it a fish, shark, or sting ray.

One down side of winter was most of the stores and attractions are closed, but the upside is a quiet campground for beachy dreams and soul filling peace.

All the amenities at the price of privacy. Stray cats, fed by campers drove our dog crazy.

Super close to a beautiful beach, there really are no bad spots, but you are very close to your neighbors and no shade. A bit pricey - we chose a pull through w electric and water, but wished we had gone with full hookup. Bathrooms are ok - I did see other people’s hair and could’ve been cleaner. Some of the doors were broken and wouldn’t lock. Great pet area and the staff is super nice.

We absolutely love it here! The hosts are so friendly and informative! We were warmly welcomed and our campsite felt isolated even for how closely the layout is. The walk through the dunes to the beach is negligible but be careful with kids and pets as it is accessable to vehicles and moderately trafficked. If you are able, don't worry about hookups as the marina across the street has potable water and a dump...FREE! Wahoo! :) Ocean breezes all day long! Just watch for the sand spurs and some sneaky catus! Our pups loved it here but got stuck by those guys a few times!

Site: mixture of grass and sand. Has fire pit and wooden picnic table. Gorgeous view of sunsets and water sports. Water is a leg high walk to the hammock. Bathroom: showers were clean! Would benefit of having an fan unit to help cool off while using the toilet. Loved having the option of using outdoor shower (yes even had hot water option). I was able to enjoy a brew in the shower and get dressed and ready in front of a mirror was was provided in the same outdoor shower space. Location: loved that it wasn’t located in a touristy area. It was on the sound. We enjoyed the pizza at the local Italian place right next door. Note: there is a ice vending place that charges affordable rate.. you have the option of ice in a bag or fill up your cooler there.. can walk there if need be. It’s across the street. Other towns over were a 30-45 min drive.

Some things to keep in mind: The wind was really strong and it made setting up our tent a challenge! Thanks to our friendly neighbors, they were able to get it grounded for us. Bring rope/canopy weight in case this happens. There were no bugs due to the wind. However.. we heard that if it wasn’t windy.. bugs were a big issue so canopy/mosquito net would be wise!

Bring water shoes to be able to walk in the sound. Water was at perfect temperature.

Dogs are allowed, even in the water! They require pet deposit.

They also had charcoal grills for you to use if you need one.

This campground feels built right into the dunes. It is a perfect place for a true Outer Banks experience. We enjoyed deer stopping by our camp site, and the wild, remote feeling here. It is dependent on the site you choose. Some are much more secluded than others. 

Pet friendly, Fire ring and picnic table at each site. We return here often. There's amazing, world-famous fishing in the area, so in Spring and Fall this place can be packed and hard to get a reservation. It's a little too hot in July and august so we tend to avoid it during those months. 

HIGHLIGHT: you can have a fire on the beach in this area and also drive on the beach. It's very peaceful and during certain times can be very remote. 

WARNING: Bring a pad for your tent. We stayed on two different sites here and the first one had cactus and sand spurs so long they punctured our air mattress, through the bottom of the tent and two blankets. They were so bad on this site, we moved to another site that was much better. While looking at sites, we did notice this issue on multiple sites.

Campground is 1 of the 4 within the Cape Hatteras Nat’l Seashore. Cost here is only $20/night (the others are $28). No hookups available, but there is a dump station and potable water fill on your way out. Cell service is good. The walk to the beach is a bit long, maybe about 1/2 mile or so. 

We stayed here for a night in early November and the place was nearly empty. There were one or two campers per loop, so the campground was nice and open and quiet. I think that during the busy season it would be an unpleasant stay, as the sites are all right next to each other, side by side, just big grassy area. Sites are large though, which was nice. 

We didn’t use the showers but I believe they are cold showers. The set up is almost like an outdoor shower, with a short door and a pull rope for the water. Watch out for spiny sand spurs (?) that stick in your dog’s paws and your socks- very painful and they’re all over the grassy areas. 

Sites must be reserved through recreation.gov. It was easy to pull up with no reservation, pick a site, then reserve and pay online. No service fee through this site. 

No wood fires allowed here. Each site has a picnic table and grill, nothing else.

Dumpsters available, but no recycling bins. Not sure if North Carolina segregates recycling after pickup.

Though we were caught camping in what seemed to be a very dramatic North Carolina storm we made the best of it. Good location all around, close to the ocean and cool towns nearby. Showers could use some updating but I guess that’s what we get for winter camping on the coast! Also another down side... close to the highway so it was a bit loud at night

Wasn’t crowded and it is right on the beach! They had a dog wash which is super convenient. Our dogs enjoyed going on a run in the sand with us, on leash.