Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Cape Lookout National Seashore? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Cape Lookout National Seashore, including sites, reviews, and tips. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Cape Lookout National Seashore campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Guide
Nice quiet campground away from civilization but within a short 5min (not even) walk to the beach. Mostly a fishing spot (need a permit for that) and you can book this one online before visiting. Reasonable but there are some less expensive sites down the coast a bit I haven’t tried them though.
Scout
All the amenities at the price of privacy. Stray cats, fed by campers drove our dog crazy.
TravelerWonderful campground! Clean, lots of amenities and super friendly staff. Great access to the beach and a great camping section across the street on the sound. Definitely recommend!
ScoutExcellent place all the way around, just make sure you take the amount of bugs seriously, even their website says so. We used 40% deet, bug zappers and I even took a powerful fogger (I used to own a pest control company). Then and only then was it manageable.
ScoutWe stayed here for four days, and while the location is decent, the sites are terrible—no shade at all. The only good part about this place is the clean bathrooms and hot showers. The campground hosts are a nightmare. They've invented their own rules outside the official ones, and while some people get away with breaking rules, we were singled out. They became angry, rude, and defensive when we questioned them, even threatening to call the police on us because our son was flying a kite! As we waited for the police, we reread the rules for the fourth time and found no issue. The police never showed up, and now the campground host refuses to assist us or provide any information, ice, or anything else we need. They even spoke directly to our child instead of us, being incredibly rude to him. These hosts should be removed immediately—they've made our stay absolutely miserable. We will never return. This campground is not child-friendly, and the hosts clearly do not like children. Ocracoke Campground is way better—the hosts there are nice, informative, and genuinely helpful.
Scout
Quiet campground, great views of the ocean and Marsh.
Close to the Morris Marina, Davis, and Ocracoke ferry. Easy access to the Outer and Core banks.
Traveler
We loved our three days at Ocracoke Campground. We were worried about mosquitoes, but not an issue with the breeze.
Scout
This place is great, centrally located, great owners and clean bathhouses.
Guide
Great KOA park with one row of dunes to cross to the ocean beach that depending on your site is only about 5 min walk. The park is well kept with clean bathrooms and showers. The have laundry and a very nice camp store with groceries, camping essentials and gifts. Sites are level with full hookups including cable that worked well. Wifi is marginal but they reported they have equipment on order to improve. We had spot along the dunes with covered patio with picnic table and a fire ring (no barbeques). The beach is wonderful. Great restful destination. We will definitely return.
Traveler
My first camping experience and it was absolutely amazing! the beach was super close, extremely secluded- it genuinely felt like we were the only people there. Not to long of a drive to get to more “developed” parts of OBX AND the bathrooms were clean. The only down side that trip was the TERRIBLE wind on night one but aye that’s camping for you. 10/10 will go back again and can’t WAIT to do so.
LegendCool campground within the Cape Hatteras Nat’l Seashore, beachy vibe, sites are open and no privacy whatsoever, and you’re pretty close to your neighbor, but it is what we expect from most beach campgrounds.
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.
Bathrooms are nice, flush toilets. Showers are available for free, but they are a bit exposed, like an outhouse type set up and the doors are short. We didn’t take showers here but another camper told us the water is warm.
Beach is right behind the campground, easy access with several trails leading right from the campsites. Wifi is available per sign on office door, but you probably need to be at the office to use it, as we didn’t see it pop us as an available wifi source. Good cell reception for Verizon and ATT.
All reservations must be made via recreation.gov. We came in without reservations, drove through the loops, picked an open site, and made our reservation. Recreation.gov is nice in that there are no processing fees.
Campground was about 1/2 full on a Sunday in early November. We paid $28 for a no-hookup site, water/power sites are available for a bit more. There’s a dump station available across the street but we didn’t use it since we were just heading south to the next campground with a dump and fill station there as well.
LegendThis was the third of the four Cape Hatteras Nat’l Seashore campgrounds we stayed in. It had a similar feel to the Oregon Inlet campground. It’s also $28/night, and like the others, you must reserve the site through recreation.gov. We pulled in without a reservation, picked a spot, then pulled up the app and reserved and paid. Recreation.gov doesn’t charge a service fee, which is nice.
We liked it here so much we added a second day. Really easy access to the beach. Campground was quiet and peaceful. We stayed here during off season in early November so I’d imagine it’s probably a completely different vibe in the summer. 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.
OK cell service, Verizon was a little slow but ATT was ok. Wide open sky for solar panels and starlink. Loop D does not allow generator use at any time.
Dumpsters available, as well as plastic, glass, and aluminum recycling bins.
No wood fires allowed here.
Some sites have power and water for $35/night. There’s a dump station and water fill available. Like the other two campgrounds we stayed at, the showers are in this short door outhouse type setup, and our understanding is that the water is cold. We did not use the showers.
We were traveling south along the Outer Banks and the ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke was very easy to ride with our 26ft class c RV, and it was free.
Legend
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.
Guide
This campground was great. They have horseback riding on grounds and the ferry to Ocracoke is literally right there. Bath house older but clean. There’s a small beach and store. Staff was outstanding. Only complaint were the ruts in the dirt roads. They need filling in. And don’t stay near trees because the mosquitoes were awful.
LegendJernimans- Ocracoke , NC: Looks to be a place for seasonal access to the cute town of Ocracoke.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy offered - after the trailer is in the spot.)
Usage during visit: Pretty empty this time of year. Site Privacy: None Site Spacing: Close Site surface: Gravel Road Noise: Some sites are adjacent to gravel parking area which separates the campground from the highway. Through Traffic in campground: None Electricity : Yes Potable Water Available: Yes Bathroom: Yes Showers: Yes Cell Service (AT&T): Good Setting: Outskirts of town. Weather: Upper 60s for highs Bugs: None this time of year Solar: Yes Rig size: Looks like a big rig would be fine, but best to double check. I saw an about 30’ rig. Sites: Nothing special about the sites except just on the edge of Ocracoke. Note pictures.
LegendKOA Cape Hatteras Outer Banks Campground (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy offered - after the trailer is in the spot.)
Weather: 60s Bugs: Gone for the winter Solar: Plenty Rig size: Big rig friendly Road Noise: For sites near the highway 12 Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: Some full hookups Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: Yes Bathroom: Yes Showers: Yes Cell Service (AT&T): 3 - 4 bars Setting: Open park area between highway and the dunes Weather: 60s during our visit Bugs: Gone for the winter Host: Yes Rig size: Big rigs Sites: Those in the back along the dunes would be nice to have. See pics.
Legend
Camp Hatteras Campground : Clean and on the water . This campgrounds on both sides of the highway. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy offered - after the trailer is in the spot.)
Overall Rating: 3.5 Usage during visit: Almost empty Site Privacy: None Site Spacing: Close, see pics Site surface: Concrete Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet Road Noise: Campground is a bit off Hwy 12, so there is road noise Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: Yes Dump Station: Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: Yes Showers: Yes Pull Throughs: Most or all are back in Cell Service (AT&T): 4 bars Setting: Sound side Weather: 60s Bugs: Gone for the winter Solar: Plenty Rig size: Big rig friendly Sites: Water side sites are super. See pics and ocean side.
LegendOcracoke - National Park campground in Ocracoke, NC: We stayed here in November a couple years ago. This time we drove through only for this review. We remembered how our previous November visit was so delightful. Crowds were absent at the campground, on the beach and in town. Lovely.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy offered - after the trailer is in the spot.)
Overall Rating: 3
Price 2023: $ 14 w interagency pass
Usage during visit: Light
Site Privacy: Mostly a very open park like campground surrounded by low growing shrubbery.
Site Spacing: Moderate
Site surface: Blacktop
Reservations: Required
Campground Noise: Quiet.
Road Noise: Not located near a highway.
Through Traffic in campground: No reason for a drive through. Best sites are on the outer loop, but there will be more traffic as campers come and go.
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes
Potable Water Available: Yes
Generators: Allowed
Bathroom: Flush toilets
Showers: Yes
Cell Service (AT&T): Yes
Setting: Very open park like bordered by sand dunes
Weather: High in Themis 60s when we drove through
Bugs: Not this time of year.
Solar: Very good solar
Host: On duty. Their sites are near the entry
Rig size: Large rigs can find a spot
Sites: Most sites do not offer much if any visual privacy. Among our favorites, that offer some visual privacy after the trailer is backed in the site are B1, D1, D3, D5, D23, D25, D37. Other better sites: A1,7, B3,5,12, C1,3,5,7, D7,9,13,15,17,19,27,30. Some of these sites are pictured below.
LegendFrisco: The best camp sites in all of Hatteras NSS are in this campground. It is just north of Ocracoke- Hatteras Ferry. There are some sites with views and some sites with privacy - Every site here is better than the open park like setting at the other Hatteras NSS campgrounds. . Dense oak and juniper shrubs break up the campground and give a degree of separation to sites….. Frisco closes for the season on Nov 27. Sad. Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke remain open.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). Desire for at least moderately secluded campsites to be offered is important to me.
Overall Rating: 4.5. More privacy offered here than Oregon Inlet where we also stayed. Least of campsites are better, in my opinion, than Oregon Inlet. No electricity here, though!
Beach Access: boardwalk P1 and P 29: Price 2023: $14 w interagency pass
Usage during visit: Light
Site Privacy: Some great sites
Site Spacing: Good
Site surface: Blacktop. Our site was pretty level.
Reservations: Required.
Campground Noise: Quiet as can be.
Road Noise: Far from a road
Through Traffic in campground: No reason. The perimeter road on the right side is going to see more traffic. That’s because campers will be driving to their sites on the one way interior roads - when it’s busy. However, there are great sites on the perimeter .
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Dump Station: No. We will use the dump station at Oregon Inlet when we drive out of the Outer Banks.
Potable Water Available: Yes. At restrooms.
Generators: Allowed.
Bathroom: Clean. Flush Toilets.
Showers: Cold water and breezy.
Pull Throughs: A couple.
Cell Service (AT&T): 1 to 2 bars.
Setting: Dense low shrubs between sites.
Weather: Sunny and cloudy days. Highs are low to upper 60s. Always some wind. Lows are in the 50s
Bugs: Not this time of year
Solar: Great when sunny.
Host: I don’t believe there was one furing our stay - late in the season.
Rig size: Large rigs okay in selected sites.
Sites: P6 is cozy little sight, no view, but the picnic table is in a cozy little very shaded area. Ideal for warmer weather - tables in SHADED/PRIVATE picnic area: P8, P10, P40, to a lesser degree-D4, D5 , F1 PRIVACY: A2, A3,A4(picnic table and grill down a short hill from site.) A6 D2, P46, P48,P49,P50, P55,P56 through P62 even, P9(picnic table, a few yards from trailer site.) P17, P65, P67, P69, P71, P22, P24, B1, B5, B7, B4, B6,
P26, P28, P26, P30, VIEW of distant ocean: P66, P57, P51( our delightful sight - splendid view), P61(a peak of a view- less privacy), P73(pull over site, no privacy- great view of ocean.), P67(very splendid view of dunes, not ocean)
Legend
Teeters in Ocracoke: Folks look to have permanent spots. There are fishing boats and golf carts for access to the nearby ‘city center’ of the cute town of Ocracoke. (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for at least moderately secluded campsites and a picnic area that is a bit tucked away. )
Overall R: Looks to be mostly Permanent Units Here for seasonal visitation. Usage during visit: 90% Site Privacy: None Site Spacing: Close Campground Noise: Quiet Road Noise: Very miniskirt if site is near the road . Through Traffic in campground: No Full Hookup: Yes Cell Service (AT&T): 2 to 3 bars Setting: Crowded sites. Very Clean Weather: 68 degree fall day. Bugs: No
LegendCape Point. - Hatteras NP: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for at least moderately secluded campsites and a picnic area that is a bit tucked away. ) Overall Rating: 2.5. Too open for me. Less character than Oregon Inlet as far as I am concerned. Price 2023: $ $10 w interagency pass Usage during visit: Almost empty. Closes soon. Site Privacy: Not very good . Luke’s eight through CO2 open, not broken up. Site Spacing: Decent Site surface: Blacktop Reservations: Required Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: Outside loop as approach entry will have most campground traffic Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes. You will see it just before you enter cg. Potable Water Available: Yes. Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Yes Showers: Cold and open to wind. Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars Setting: Open parklike. As you approach the last loop the loops are more broken up by shrubbery. Sites still are open. Weather: eyes in the 60s and lows in the 50s. Windy Bugs: none Solar: good. Rig size: can accommodate larger rigs. Sites: K26, K21 - about the best it gets here.
Legend
Hatteras Sands in Frisco, NC: The sites along the waterway would be nicest. They are very cute cabins and some with water view.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). Desire for at least moderately secluded campsites to be offered is important to me.
Overall Rating: Water sites are nice . Very close sites, Clean grounds , No privacy - 3
Usage during visit: Empty
Site Privacy: None
Site Spacing: Very, very close.
Site surface: Concrete
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise. I can say that the area seems quiet.
Road Noise: No
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: Full hock ups
Potable Water Available: At site.
Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Yes
Pull Throughs: Yes
Cell Service (AT&T): Two bars.
Setting: Open with little shrubbery
Weather: Highs in 60s. Lows in 50s
Bugs: None
Solar: Plenty
Rig size: Large rig sites
Sites: Get a site one along the water.
Legend
Frisco Woods Campground : Many sites in this campground will be spectacular for those who like Private campgrounds.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer w a desire for at least moderately secluded campsites and at least a picnic area that is a bit tucked away. )
Overall Rating: 4 for a private open campground. This one has some beautiful water view sites - along the Hatteras Bight, along an inlet and a pond
Usage during visit: Light this time of year. Some great sites are available right now.
Site Privacy: Very open.
Site Spacing: Pretty good, not packed. See pics.
Site surface: Grass
Campground Noise: Quiet this time of year.
Road Noise: There definitely could be in the sites near highway. Most sites are away from highway. Choose carefully.
Through Traffic in campground: No reason for any.
Electric Hookup: Yes
Sewer Hookup: Maybe some sites.
Potable Water Available: At sites.
Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Yes
Pull Throughs: Most or all are back ins.
Cell Service (AT&T): 3 bars
Setting: Open park like along the blight with a pond and a waterway of sorts which divides the campground.
Weather: Very nice upon visit. I’d expect windy nights here
Bugs: None now.
Solar: Fantastic
Rig size: Large rig friendly
Sites: There are great sites along water way, ponds, and the blight . Get one of those.
Swimming Pool and deck.
Legend
Island Hide a way : I suppose this would be a spot if you’re coming down to fish, etc. However, this is not look to be a picturesque place to camp. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). Desire for at least moderately secluded campsites to be offered is important to me. Overall Rating: 2 Usage during visit: Full w what looks like permanent trailers Site Privacy: None Site Spacing: Super close Site surface: Gras Road Noise: Not really Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: Yes Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: Yes Bathroom: Yes Showers: Yes Pull Throughs: No Cell Service (AT&T): 4 bars Setting: Open . Not a pretty setting. Weather: high 60s and low 50s. Bugs: not this time of year. Solar: great. Rig size: large fifth wheels are here.
LegendOregon Inlet in Hatteras NSS, NC.:
Great beach and Kitty Hawk nearby.
We like this campground even though sites are pretty tight. We have been here later in November in the past. The weather was much cooler, but this campground is pretty empty then.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). I rate based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy.
Overall Rating: 3.5
Price 2023: $ 14 w interagency pass for non electric sites
Usage during visit: 95% full.
Site Privacy: Not good
Site Spacing: Sites along the dunes are pretty close.
Site surface: Blacktop
Reservations: Required
Campground Noise: Quiet
Road Noise: Noticeable throughout B and C loops. I’ll leave Loop A to be evaluated by tent campers. Homey, I will say to choose a site away from Hwy 12.
Through Traffic in campground: None
Electric Hookup: Some sites. See my map in pictures
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes. It is across the highway to the south of the campground.
Potable Water Available: At the dump station and near the restrooms.
Generators: Allowed.
Bathroom: Clean flush toilets.
Showers: Yes, but a gap between the roof and walls makes for a cold experience this time of year with the wind.
Pull Throughs: No
Cell Service (AT&T): 2 to 3 bars.
Setting: A pretty area between Highway 12 and the dunes.
Weather: Highs in upper 60s. Lows are in mid 50s
Bugs: A couple mosquitoes. Wind has probably kept them at bay.
Solar: Great when not too cloudy.
Host: They are super.
Rig size: Large rigs can fit in many spots.
Sites: See my map in my attached pictures: Circled sites B2 - 20 back right up to the dunes. C1 -21 have a broader view of the beautiful dunes with 5 - 21 in this group a bit larger sites. B 22 and24 are getting closer to the dunes. I like all these sites in comparison to the others. However, I appreciate being backed right up to the dunes. Site B4 is the best site, in my opinion. Rig size is limited for this site. It’s not deep, Punic table is near campground road, but isolated from B2 on the picnic side by a dune . B2 is a good site. Picnic area is private from adjacent site, but not from vehicles driving by.
GuideWhere else can you watch the sunrise AND the sunset from the same campground? Wow. I give this place an 11 out of 10
ScoutThis is an extremely long review but please read and beware before staying at Hatteras Sands! My family and I are frequent campers at HS; we usually come down twice a year for the past several years. Until now all of our experiences have been stellar and even though Hatteras Sands is a little run down in some areas we liked staying because the staff was friendly and accommodating. I do not know what has happened(perhaps new management or ownership) but things are severely lacking in the customer service department. Let me preface by saying I witnessed the below events and was completely shocked by the behavior and level of unprofessionalism in which things were handled. My cousin rented a double lot and was told even though she paid for the double lot that since she had two cars she would need to pay an extra$100 for the second vehicle to park. She paid this$100 as well as an additional$75 for her mother to be able to come and use the overflow parking which is nothing more than a grassy lot next to a bunch of junk. She proceeded to park her additional vehicle in the space next to her camper as instructed. While cooking dinner we were being watched by a male outside the office and as we sat down to dinner the female“manager” and male rode over on their golf cart to inform us that our fire needed a cover over it if we were not cooking; no problem, this was an oversight on our part. Then miss manager advised that we needed to move said vehicle to the overflow parking even though my cousin had a double lot and paid$100 extra for parking. I proceeded to get into a heated argument with the woman, she refused to listen and was extremely rude. She made sure to say“I’m the manager who runs things here”…Was I in the wrong for yelling? Perhaps I was but she informed us that the owner of the campground would be calling; great! They never called… The next day my aunt and cousin went to the office to discuss the matter calmly to which the manager was very condescending, rude and unwilling to have any kind of dialogue. She instructed them to leave the office immediately; which they did without further conversation or argument. The same male from the previous night proceeded to follow them on his golf cart and confront my aunt screaming at her and telling her to“go smoke some more meth”. We assume because we are residents of West Va. He said this in front of my 9 year old son and two other small children. This was highly unprofessional and utterly uncalled for. At this point she is in fear that this man is going to potentially harm her or her children. She proceeded to pack up her entire site and the children while this same male sat at an empty cabin nearby and watched her the entire time. Creepy! Finally…the owner did call; she was very nice and did her best to rectify the situation. But the damage had already been done the result being a partial refund for the remainder of the days left on their reservation and my cousin moving to a campground down the road. To me this is not acceptable; she should have been give a full refund. Later we were shocked to find out the aggressive male is not even an employee of the campground but a subcontractor who performs odd jobs and the boyfriend of the so-called manager. They actually live in an area at the back of the office. They both made everyone feel unsafe and uncomfortable not to mention the derogatory meth comment. A word to the owner- this is not how to do business. You need to check in on your employees from time to time. Allowing such behavior is appalling and they will put you out of business if things continue on this way. I have read other reviews, we are not the only ones to have these issues. My cousin, my husband and myself as well as my mother in law; we all paid and we all saw and heard what happened first hand. We know many who frequent this establishment and we will be telling them all about this experience. More than anger I feel disappointment at the entire situation. This was a wonderful place where many memories were made and now ruined by a poor management team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cape Lookout National Seashore?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cape Lookout National Seashore is Coastal Riverside Campground with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
