Best Glamping near Cape Lookout National Seashore

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.

I took the two hour Ferry ride over to stay at the campground. It was late September of 2021 so the camping wasn’t extremely crowded but busy. They have bathrooms with only outside showers . The beach is glorious with Dan dunes up to 20 feet high. I could sit on the beach all day and not have anyone near me for at least 100 feet. The town is like going back 50 years. One small store to buy your items and one place to get gas. It was a wonderful island to stay at to bring calmness and serenity back to my life! You have the option of driving on the beach. However, you do have to purchase a pass which I think is expensive is there for only a few days .

Camping on Ocracoke for their April 5k / 10k race has been my camping season opener for several years. The Beachcomber is a good campground at the north end of the village conveniently situated behind the gas station and near the grocery/hardware/liquor store. Park your car, set up the camp site (19 and 20 are the best tent sites) and unload the bike. Everything on the island is walk/bike distance.

The owners have been doing a good job with this campground since they bought in a few years ago. Each year there are improvements. And Ocracoke is just a special place.

I'll remind myself to take some pictures this year and update this post.

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