Looking for an adventure where you can explore Harkers Island and then fall asleep in your tent? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Harkers Island. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Primitive campsites are located near the beach and the inlet at Bear Island. Fourteen family campsites accommodate up to six people and two tents each. Campsites 1 to 11 are accessible via ferry, private boat or paddling only. Campsites 12 to 14 are accessible by private boat or paddling only and are not hikeable.
Sites 1 to 11 have a picnic table, while sites 12 to 14 do not. Fires are not permitted at Bear Island, but campers may bring propane or backpack camp stoves.
Water and a bathhouse with hot showers is located at Bear Island, but is available from only mid-March through mid-November. There is no water at Bear Island when the facilities are winterized.
Hike-In Distance Light and simple is the way to travel, as campers must carry all provisions to the campsites from the beach or ferry dock.
$12 - $52 / night
SORRY: CLOSED PERMANENTLY.
$35 - $55 / night
Originally a tobacco farm that was converted into a muscadine vineyard. Such a magical spot with so much history. Plenty of space to wonder. Wildlife is abundant.
$25 - $50 / night
Traveler
Fantastic experience. I am a seasoned back woods camper, and brought along two first timers. This was the perfect middle ground. Beautiful views with an isolated area. Rustic feel, but still had the comfort of bathrooms, running water, fire pits, and nearby cities.
Guide
Do NOT stay here!! The hosts do not follow the published USFS/recreation.gov rules, oe even their own posted rules. FFS sites are in fact booked IN ADVANCE. You can book them for days at a time, anytime. The app is INACCURATE. The hosts simply do whatever they want, then argue when presented with published rules and policies. Additionally, no handicapped placard or other disability proof is required to rent the wheelchair accesssible sites across from the bath house and all were filled with able-bodied persons in huge RVs. Horrible experience and OUTRAGEOUS $8 reservation fee and $10-$18 cancellation fee. Furthermore, there are serious issues with the electric connections, which you have no choice but to pay for. We were only able to occasionally have reliable electricity, resulting in even small 5V items not charging. The biggest issue was inconsistent/incomplete charging of wheelchair batteries. We had to rely on vehicle power charging for most things. The campsites are also poorly arranged, forcing tents to be placed within 2-3’ of fire rings, which is ridiculously unsafe. The sites are also full of fire ant beds - including on the tent/table pad itself. One of the poorest managed campgrounds I have ever stayed in.
Traveler
The hosts are friendly, and the fire is warm. It's so fun to see all of the animals. The property is beautiful, and the camp spot is private. We have plenty of space for our RV. Feeling thankful!
GuideStayed 3 nights here. Nice quiet federal campground. Quiet and maintained. Definitely need water at sites. Can't adjust water temp in showers here. Fortunately not freezing water and one night had hot water. With these improvements, would give 5 stars. Can't beat price. Would definitely stay again. Close enough to beach and things we like to do. Had a great breakfast at Angie's Diner near by.
Traveler
We stayed from Fri to Sun and we enjoyed every moment we stayed. Caught fish and enjoyed the pool. And the golf cart rental was awesome too
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.
Traveler
Great spot and host
RangerQuiet, beautiful, cheap, great cell service. Love this place!
ScoutCamping in the winter and a newbie, but this place was great. Showers and bathrooms were exceptionally clean. Dog friendly, electric and good clean drinking water on site. Can only stay 14 days at a time.
Scout
We have stayed at this campground many times since 2016 and always loved it. The location is awesome, the owner, and the staff were so nice and friendly. Its not that way anymore. There are no longer loyalty programs for repeat customers and they dont care if you stay there or not. When this new company bought this campground they decided $55 to $80 a night was not enough, they want to charge $155 and up depending on when you are staying. This is insane! There are other campgrounds we stay at that have a lot of stuff to offer and they are no where near this expensive, you hardly have anything to offer at this campground. You are giving the customer a place to park, water, sewer and electricity for $155 and up a night, and thats it! There is no security at this place anymore so you better change your storage locks on your camper because most are keyed alike, dont leave anything outside like bikes, grills, shoes, clothes, etc... because they will disappear. This never happened before, makes you wonder who is wondering around stealing. I won't be back until the prices come down and improvements are made. I wish everyone would find other places to go for the next few years and these owners would be forced to sell and maybe we could have our campground back.
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.
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.
ScoutTalk about Southern hospitality, the hosts were amazing and the campsite was a safe place for Luna and I to spend the night!
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.
LegendOyster Point: Great sites. Sites w water view are best.
(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: 4
Price 2023: $ 5 w interagency pass
Usage during visit: Light
Site Privacy: Underbrush has been trimmed it looks like. So, there is not as much privacy between sites.
Site Spacing: Very wide sites .
Site surface: Gravel
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Quiet during our stay.
Road Noise: Secluded. No public roads nearby.
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water Available: Yes. One or two spigots.
Generators:Allowed
Bathroom: Pit toilet is clean and well stocked.
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: Site 13 is a pull through
Cell Service (AT&T): 2 - 4 bars
Setting: Pine forest with a more of Newport River
Weather: 72 fall day high.
Bugs: No mosquitoes. Must be gone for the year
Solar: Maybe too forested in some spots. In site # 5 at 9:00 AM we had some solar charge happening
Host: Tonia is a delightful host
Rig size: Our site would fit a large rig.
Sites: I took pictures of the sites on the shore side of the campground. They are the best, but all sites here I would be happy with. Sites #9 and #11 have pathways to a very small private beach. Site 1 is close to a pit toilet. Maybe a smell issue now and then.
Legend
Neuse River Flanners Beach Campground: Most sites have visual privacy (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: 4.5
Price 2023: $ $10 + $5 per night for electricity w interagency pass
Usage during visit: Pretty full. Unable to obtain a reservation for an extended period.
Site Privacy: Almost all sites has a nice degree of privacy with trailer in site.
Site Spacing: Very good
Site surface: Gravel
Reservations: Yes. You better.
Campground Noise: Quiet.
Road Noise: None
Through Traffic in campground: None
Electric Hookup: Available
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes. At entrance.
Potable Water Available: Scattered spigots
Generators:
Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Yes
Pull Throughs: Not that I saw.
Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars
Setting: Deciduous forest.
Weather: 70 degrees today.
Bugs: Not noticeable.
Solar: Too much tree cover
Host: Yes
Rig size: Some sites will fit large rigs. A careful drive in Campground will surely be required.
Sites: Almost all sites are good. Some of the least private sites are: 13,20,27,29
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.
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
TravelerGreat place to hangout and it’s near Emerald Isle and the Crystal Coast. Nice place to throw a line into the water and relax!
Guide
Nice overnight stay RV Campground new with no shade Very clean Beautiful river but not walking distance from campground Staff friendly I’d say much better in the early spring or fall
Guide
Campground was within close walking proximity to the beach. Beach was clean and we had fun hunting for shark teeth. Water was fairly clear and nice temperature.
Camping sites are close together but fairly level. Lots of barking dogs, even in their units. Shower/bath house was DISGUSTING!! Showers were full of sand, hair stuck to the walls, torn and stained curtains. Water was hot though. By the end of the week it was out of hand soap.
The bridge that is right behind camp about 60 feet was under a full rebuild. Construction noise started a little before 0700 each day. Dump trucks and heavy machinery while drinking your coffee. A warning before arrival from the reservation office would have been nice. I understand the bridge needs work but warn people.
Glad we got to visit with friends on the base but we won’t be back.
LegendJake from the Dyrt here! Home on the Range is new to the Dyrt but they have a great escape for the family to enjoy playing around the playset or socializing around the communal patio! Check them out and share some pics of your stay!
ScoutSuper quiet, clean and chill campground. Easy bike to town. Great access to beach. Mosquitoes are bad but this is Ocracoke!
ScoutOyster Point has a ton of charm. It's quiet and serene. Campsites are relatively close but fat enough to feel like there's some privacy. Close to the water and a lovely 21 mile trail. Potable water available along with raised bathrooms and trash receptacles. It's a solid 9/10. Drawbacks are the biting flies and tough ground if you're tenting.
LegendJake from the Dyrt here! Phoenix Farms is now offering camping at this former tobacco farm near the coast. Check them out and make sure to leave a review on the Dyrt!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Harkers Island, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Harkers Island, NC is Hammocks Beach State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Harkers Island, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Harkers Island, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
