Camping near Manteo, North Carolina provides access to both oceanfront and sound-side accommodations across the Outer Banks. Sites near town offer quick access to historical attractions including Roanoke Island's landmarks. Weather varies significantly throughout the camping season with April through October being most comfortable, though summer temperatures regularly reach the mid-80s with high humidity.
What to do
Beach access through dunes: Oregon Inlet Campground offers an easy walk to ocean beaches. "It's a short walk to the beach; I love waking up early and walking down to the beach to see the sunrise. Oftentimes I'll be the only one on the beach," explains one Oregon Inlet Campground visitor. Another camper notes, "Although it had not rained in several days, there must have been recent rains as several of these trails were flooded."
Fishing spots: Access to both ocean and sound fishing draws many visitors to Roanoke Island. "The sites are full time sites. Only like 15 to rent. There is a decent bath house and decent pool. Has a nice trail to walk around the pond," mentions a camper who stayed at The Refuge on Roanoke Island. Another adds, "Each site has full connections along with a picnic table. A number of sites back up to the water where one can enjoy fishing for flounder or blue crab."
Explore lighthouses: Multiple historic lighthouses are within driving distance. "We took a short drive to Bodie Island Lighthouse and also spent some time exploring the nearby marina and visitor center," notes a family who visited Oregon Inlet. Another camper suggests, "The ferryboat ride to ocracoke island is essential to a visit to the OBX very nice little town."
What campers like
Sunrise views: Morning views are frequently mentioned as trip highlights. A camper at Oregon Inlet Campground shared, "I was able to hike out to the beach one morning in less than 10 minutes to view the sunrise." Another noted, "The dunes are right next to the campsites and provided hours of fun—running, climbing, sliding, and just being wild and free."
Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution makes the area ideal for stargazing. "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," shared a visitor to Camp Hatteras RV Resort. Another camper observed, "Very surprised... Great spot especially on a clear night with a full sky of stars. Feels like you are far away from everything."
Wildlife encounters: Many campers report seeing local wildlife near their sites. "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," reported a visitor to OBX Campground. Another camper added, "Campground is well taken care of with wildlife all around. Level parking and full hookups made it a comfortable stay."
What you should know
Shower facilities vary: Quality and temperature of showers differs significantly between campgrounds. At Oregon Inlet, a camper reported, "The facilities are pretty outdated, especially the showers." In contrast, at another campground, "The bathhouse was a pleasant surprise. It was very clean during our stay, and the showers were consistently warm."
Site privacy concerns: Many campgrounds feature close quarters between sites. "The sites are fairly 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," noted one family. Another camper at Cape Hatteras KOA mentioned, "The camping cabin was basic one double bed one set of bunkbeds, there was air-conditioning and plenty of room... The cabins were very close together, but it wasn't an issue."
Weather volatility: Coastal conditions can change quickly. "We just got back from a weekend at Oregon Inlet Campground, and it was such a memorable family experience!" shared a family, while another camper noted, "We lost power a couple of times during our stay, the day we left it was out for a few hours had to use the generator."
Tips for camping with families
Pool alternatives: When ocean conditions are rough, pools provide safe swimming options. "The pool area is really nice. Several laundry places and the shower facility was spotless," shared a visitor to Cape Hatteras KOA. Another mentioned, "The tennis, put put, shuffleboard, dog park, and playground were all fun."
Beach gear planning: Beach access often requires carrying equipment over dunes. At Beechland Campground, a camper noted, "Beechland is conveniently located within walking distance to downtown Manteo and is only a 10-15 minute drive to Nags Head Beach." At another campground, a visitor shared, "The walk to the beach was a little longer longer than expected but not terrible (took 10-15 minutes carrying a 25 lb toddler)."
Indoor activities: Weather changes may require backup plans. "Indoor pool was great for the kids on the cool and windy weekend. Would love to come back in warmer weather!" noted a spring visitor to Camp Hatteras RV Resort, while another camper added, "So many amenities and fun things planned for Easter weekend."
Tips from RVers
Concrete pads: Some campgrounds offer more level surfaces than others. "Our 36 ft pull behind fit perfectly on the concrete slab and was level without having to mess with anything," noted a visitor at Camp Hatteras. Another camper added, "Very quiet, we stayed on the sound side and could hear the waves crashing at night which was very relaxing."
Power reliability: Outages can occur in severe weather. "Lost power a couple of times during our stay, the day we left it was out for a few hours had to use the generator, for what they charge for a site seems they could have a backup power source," reported one RVer. Another mentioned, "The internet is terrible so if you're working from home, have a hotspot. AT&T does much better in this area."
Distance considerations: Supplies may require planning ahead. "Getting groceries is difficult. There aren't many options. Bring supplies if you can," advised a camper at Cape Hatteras KOA. Another visitor recommended, "This campground is located in a great spot, on Colington Island technically still Kill Devil Hills. We adventured to many local attractions easily from the campground."
