Oregon Inlet Campground in Cape Hatteras National Seashore offers tent and RV camping within a short walk to Atlantic beaches. Located approximately 20 miles south of Kitty Hawk, this campground provides electric and water hookups at select sites with sites organized in three distinct loops. The camping season typically operates from March through November, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and high humidity levels creating challenging camping conditions during peak months.
What to do
Beach access exploration: Oregon Inlet Campground offers multiple beach access points within walking distance. "Multiple different sites for tents and campers. It's right next to a drive on beach access plus there are paths to walk to the beach. Each site has plenty of space between them and all are fairly close to bathroom and showers," notes David B.
Sunrise beach walks: Early morning is ideal for experiencing empty beaches and wildlife viewing. "I love waking up early and walking down to the beach to see the sunrise. Oftentimes I'll be the only one one the beach. I've seen lots of cool wildlife on the beach and at the nearby Pea Island Wildlife Refuge," shares Valerie P.
Fishing experiences: Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities directly from their property. "This campground is part of the National Parks so the price is great. Its close to the beach, just a short walk over a sand dune and close to the harbor as well...walk or less than a mile drive," reports Sandra S., who appreciates the harbor's proximity for fishing.
Day trips to nearby attractions: Outer Banks West - Currituck Sound KOA serves as a good base for regional exploration. "We stayed here for two nights during our trip along the Outer Banks. Our site had a great view of the water and we could see the Currituck lighthouse at night. Also, Diggers Dungeon is only a few miles away so if you have kids make sure to stop and let them see the monster trucks," suggests Stephen B.
What campers like
Sound and ocean views: Campsites with water views consistently receive positive mentions. "We had beautiful views, a lot of space, didn't feel cramped or crowded. Plenty of open and wooded areas to explore. The sound was fun to float in," Mary G. reports about her stay at Outer Banks West KOA.
Spacious campsites: OBX Campground receives high marks for site size and layout. "We stayed at site 19 for 7 days. The sites are fairly quiet, fairly nicely spaced, particularly for a private RV park. The sites are FHU with 50A service," notes Ray & Terri F., who appreciated the roominess uncommon for private campgrounds.
Wildlife encounters: Natural settings provide opportunities to view local wildlife. "A small group of deer were hanging around our campsite when we drove up and zipped off into the tall sea grass. Once dusk fell and we were set up they came back out to graze," shares Sarah C. about her experience at OBX Campground.
Clean facilities: Beechland Campground stands out for cleanliness. "This may have been the cleanest camp ground I've ever stayed at. The bathrooms, showers and pool were pristine. We saw a staff member cleaning them every day at 9am," reports Marina R., highlighting the maintenance standards.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings intense heat, humidity, and increased biting insects. "I visited in October, and found insects were not really a problem; in another national seashore campground the next night they were, but I think here the lack of grass really helps keep the mosquitoes down," notes Ashlee L. about Oregon Inlet Campground.
Distance to beaches: Few campgrounds offer direct beachfront access, with most requiring a short walk or drive. "The walk to the beach was a little longer longer than expected but not terrible (took 10-15 minutes carrying a 25 lb toddler)," explains Virginia W., providing a realistic timeframe for beach access.
Road noise impacts: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "You will hear road noise from nearly every site, but it is worse in the mornings," warns Lee D. in their Oregon Inlet review, offering important context for light sleepers considering this location.
Reservation requirements: North River Campground and other established sites fill quickly during peak periods. "We spent 2 night at North River in August to attend Coast Guard Day in Elizabeth City. I was pleasantly surprised how nice and clean the facility was," shares Zygmunt Z., who managed to secure a site during a busy event weekend.
Tips for camping with families
Beach play alternatives: Dunes provide natural playgrounds when ocean conditions aren't ideal. "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!" explains David N. about Oregon Inlet.
Activity options beyond beaches: Camp Hatteras offers recreational facilities for all ages. "The tennis, put put, shuffleboard, dog park, and playground were all fun. The only downside was the equipment for the sports area was not in good condition," notes Melinda K., providing perspective on amenity quality.
Protected swimming areas: Sound-side swimming provides calmer waters than Atlantic beaches. "We stayed on the sound side and could hear the waves crashing at night which was very relaxing. Cross the road and there's a shuffle board and mini golf course," shares Lucy M., describing the multiple recreation options.
Walkability assessment: Evaluate distances with young children in mind. "Tent camping was a little crowded but the location makes up for it. 5 min walk to the beach and clean and spacious bathhouse and restroom," reports Cam N., giving practical information about facilities proximity.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Water views come with trade-offs at some campgrounds. "Paid for a water view spot, got a spot obscured by trees. Internet kept cutting out TV last night," cautions Tom P. about KOA Outer Banks West, highlighting the importance of requesting specific sites.
Utility specifics: The Refuge on Roanoke Island and similar campgrounds have specific RV requirements. "It's OK, typical RV park, sites close together. They don't want older RVs," notes Dee D., indicating potential restrictions based on RV age or appearance.
Concrete pad availability: Stabilization matters in sandy areas. "Level parking spot with concrete patio. WiFi is fast and cable tv is available. I would recommend this camp ground. It is a little off the beaten path and the road coming is narrow," advises Wayne V. about North River Campground.
Centralized locations: Strategic positioning enables regional exploration. "OBX is very close driving to public beach accesses, close to so much, around the corner from the Wright Memorial," highlights Heather H., emphasizing the convenience factor for RVers planning to use their vehicles frequently.
