37 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The coastal area surrounding Nags Head, North Carolina features a mix of private and public campgrounds catering to various camping styles. Oregon Inlet Campground within Cape Hatteras National Seashore provides beach access camping with both water/electric and primitive sites. Several private campgrounds such as OBX Campground in Kill Devil Hills and The Refuge on Roanoke Island offer full hookup options for RVs. Camp Hatteras and Cape Hatteras KOA in Rodanthe include cabin accommodations alongside traditional tent and RV sites, expanding options for those without camping equipment.
Reservations are essential throughout the region, particularly during the peak season from March through November when most facilities operate at capacity. Many campgrounds maintain year-round operations, though Oregon Inlet Campground closes during winter months. Beach proximity varies significantly between properties, with some offering direct dune access while inland locations may require a short drive to reach the shore. The Outer Banks experiences strong coastal winds that can impact camping comfort, especially at sites near the ocean. A camper noted, "Sites are basic and close together, you're basically camping in the sand dunes. Short walk across the dunes to the beach... my site was like a wind tunnel so be prepared for that."
Waterfront settings receive consistently positive feedback from campers visiting the area. Beechland Campground earns praise for its cleanliness and location within walking distance to downtown Manteo. Several visitors highlight the pristine conditions of facilities at various properties, with one camper describing Beechland as "the cleanest campground I've ever stayed at." The camping experience varies between oceanside and sound-side locations, with the former offering beach activities and the latter providing fishing opportunities and more protected settings. Sites backing to water at The Refuge on Roanoke Island are particularly sought after, though the campground maintains strict rules about RV appearance and site usage. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at several campgrounds, with deer sightings common at OBX Campground according to visitor reviews.
"Walking distance to the beach."
"The campground is a short walk over the dunes to the beach and close to other points of interest such as Wright Brothers National Memorial, Jockey’s Ridge State Park and the town of Nags Head."
from $28 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Campground was very busy most of the time with a lot of golf carts running around the narrow streets but relatively quiet evenings and friendly staff."
"Location, location, location! Wow! Right on the ocean, so if you want to be near a wonderful beach.....this is your place. Sites are right next to one another but you expect that."
from $32 - $130 / night
Check Availability"Obx Campground is located on Collington Island right behind Kitty Hawk, in the outer banks. It is clean, simple, and convenient to Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills."
"OBX is very close driving to public beach accesses (2 miles), close to so much, around the corner from the Wright Memorial."
from $50 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Has a nice trail to walk around the pond. Sites are a bit small."
"Located between Wanchese and Manteo, this little RV park is a quiet getaway. Turning into the property you will find all of the grounds very clean and well maintained."
"Beechland is conveniently located within walking distance to downtown Manteo and is only a 10- 15 minute drive to Nags Head Beach."
from $60 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Off season and quiet, but very easy access in and out and a dune away from the Atlantic. The kids had plenty of room to ride their bikes and enjoyed the jump pillow."
"Steps from beach. Beautiful pool and huge hit tub. Bar and cafe were closed for season. Great dog park. They were having problems with cable.went in and out."
"Good location. RV Park very well maintained and nice folk around."
"This is a centrally located spot to be able to drive anywhere in a reasonable amount of time."
from $55 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Room behind site in grass for games and tent, two car maximum space between site entrances, ocean within walking distance and stays a constant turnover of 77 degreesF."
"Easy access to beach, space for kids to play, bath houses and laundry are good (for a beach area) clean, quiet and inexpensive compared to surrounding campgrounds."
from $64 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Wonderful quiet neighborhood close to Atlantic Ocean with power, sewer , water and hot outdoor shower."
"With full-hookups and a convenient location near shops and the beach, its the perfect stay for those who love the beach. Make sure to leave a review and post some pictures of your stay!"
from $49 / night
ScoutEasy access to the sound, great rental gear pricing, beautiful campground with native plants and pollinators. Clean facilities. Mike at the office was friendly and accommodating
TravelerThis is a long one! Here we go. My partner and I travel for work, we went out of our way to move to this location based on reviews saying this is a great place. We have paid in full for the whole stay which is about little over 2 months. We have been here approx 2 weeks give or take. We work night shift. No activity during the day. Simple easy. Not our first campground by any means. At first, we were excited to experience the amenities and such. Now we’re uncomfortable to try anything out. Why you ask? Situation: first day we move in, we end up next to what seems like the literal only other long term or possibly even permanent resident on the grounds. My service animal alerted me to a trigger, which she left the front door of the camper before we walked out. Recalled her to me once we saw that the perm resident (our neighbor) had what presented as an aggressive dog. (Husky maybe?). Within not EVEN 5 minutes of this event, someone was at our door- instead of asking what is going on we were immediately accused of her running around off leash I guess? We had just woken up from sleeping and it was evening time, time to go to work. Instead of arguing or even offering up ANY facts related to the situation I simply said got it thanks and the interaction ended. I’m thinking to myself well damn. Okay. A week or so maybe goes by? Leash in hand VISIBLE -at the door my dog steps out, I step out behind her- same time same situation. She walks ahead of me to where she will relieve herself, I ask for her to come back next to me, she recalls- neighbors dog loses its mind again. I look up at neighbor and say “just go ahead and call man, I get it”. She calls. This time THREE employees are driving on carts to our site, at this point we’re already leaving for work. I knew it was coming, figured they would for sure ask what’s going on this time. They don’t. The older woman accompanied by two men behind her- simply says “you have been told before you need to leash your dog”. We reply yes we understand. Nobody asks for a description of the events, what’s going on, or if this even happened. The female voice is raised and hostile presenting towards both of us. The man behind her approaches our car and peers into the vehicle I’m not sure if to intimidate or what, but that action was also very ineffective in diffusing the situation and instead very intimidating. And now making us both VERY late to work as this is an extra 15 minute drive to the hospital in which we work at. Seemingly, the word of this permanent resident is all they needed to full on accuse the two of us… of what? I am not sure. My animal has resided all over the country in countless locations, all while working and we have had no issues to date. At this point I am still remaining silent as the female worker continues to educate us on our alleged actions. My concern is that there has been ZERO questioning, only full on accusations. We’re highly uncomfortable at this point. They say “we will be speaking with the general manager tomorrow”, Which also felt threatening. I’d like to add that given the whole situation this wouldn’t matter but since this is happening: earlier that morning after work I had stopped by the front desk, to ask about a package I thought that I sent to the wrong place, but didn’t. The same female was there. I remember thinking wow she’s actually so rude. But I brushed it off. Now looking back she must have some kind of prejudice toward myself and my dog. I’ve never been threatened / accused so one-sidedly in my entire career such as what has been happening at this campground. Our resolution was to request moving sites, however nothing was asked of us WHATSOEVER. As stated we were not given any opportunity to speak on the situation. Will attempt to update review whenever we speak with management of this location. Warning is to be wary of implicit bias in staff, potential favoritism, and inconsistent / unfair conflict resolution, aggressive long term campers, and lack of communication from staff.
TravelerGood place to tour the area from. Great wifi. Usually empty spots. They have a pool. Zero shade. Full hook up. Average spacing. Clean gravel camping spots.
ScoutGreat campsite with lots of privacy. Very close to the beach access which is about a quarter mile to the beach. Most campers we saw brought 4 wheelers to camp here & spend day on beach. (We walked) Cell reception bad. Good in early am.
GuideThis was our second time staying here and we still loved it. We got a great spot with lots of shade and it has direct beach access. The only downside is the bathrooms and not great, the stalls are very small and the doors are left open so they are constantly filled with insects. Still, they have a store onsite and the staff are either very friendly or indifferent, depending on who you speak with.
TravelerWe were able to get some last minute spots on recreation.gov
There are showers and bathrooms. Some rustic sites and some RV hookup sites.
Access to the ocean, but you cannot see the beach from the sites due to the dunes you have to walk through to get to the beach.
You cannot drive onto the beach too if you trust your rig in the sand
ScoutVery, very glad we found this location. Medium to larger campground. Quite spacious. You're not packed in like Oreos in a wrapper. Nice layout, and site sizes. Nice level pads. Very clean & well maintained, everything is. Plenty of amenities and weekly activities.On site pizza & ice cream shop, highly recommended. Great water access paddle boards & kayaks. Nice boat launch too. An absolute bargain for the price point. Killer sunsets too. Have paid more and gotten less, and disappointed. Repeating, very pleased staying here, soo much room. Thank you
TravelerAbsolutely horrifying experience. It started with the camp hosts allowing primitive campers in when the bathrooms and showers were closed and even nailed shut with 2x4s. This promoted grown men(we'll say using the loo) in full view, just feet from our Airstream- which was facing the bath house. Knowing it would be pretty obvious who reported them, we remained silent, as we were supposwd to be there for a week. THEN,*supposedly" some male Karen(again, I say supposedly) claimed we put our trained K9 out at 6am(we don't even wake up until 9am-10am) and allowed him to bark for 2 hours(this never happened-again, trained K9 who was happily snoring in bed when this blatant lie was formulated). We then realised it was provably a lie, because we have security cameras(4) inside and out. Cameras showed we awoke and didn't open the doors the first time until 9.38am on the day in question(even later the previous morning). The ranger's wife was almost gleefully telling me that if the SUPPOSED Karen complained(lied) again, she would*have to* call the sheriff on us??? Oh, but we"should keep the camera footage", that she didn't want to see. Okaaay. We spent the remainder of our non-refundable week with the shades drawn- recording and saving every time we stepped out, with our innocent dog, should a false police report be filed by the ranger's wife. Absolute hellish week that we couldn't enjoy because of the grotesque campground hosts.
TravelerNice , clean, well maintained. Enjoyed our visit
The Outer Banks area near Nags Head sits on narrow barrier islands between the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound, with an average elevation of only 10 feet above sea level. This low-lying coastal environment experiences strong winds year-round, with spring and fall bringing milder temperatures and fewer crowds to camping sites near Nags Head, North Carolina. The region's campgrounds remain vulnerable to tropical systems from June through November, with mandatory evacuations sometimes required on short notice.
Beach fishing: Access points Anglers can fish directly from Oregon Inlet Campground's beach areas within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. One camper noted, "I love this campground! I've been here twice now and plan on returning again when I can. It's a short walk to the beach; I love waking up early and walking down to the beach to see the sunrise" (Oregon Inlet Campground). Beach fishing requires a separate permit, available at the ranger station.
Lighthouse tours: Multiple options Several historic lighthouses stand within a short drive from Nags Head camping areas. A visitor mentioned, "It's a short drive to Bodie Island Lighthouse and also spent some time exploring the nearby marina and visitor center. There's a lot to do in the area, especially if you enjoy fishing, boating, or just soaking in the natural beauty of the OBX" (Oregon Inlet Campground).
Historic Manteo: Walking distance Beechland Campground provides easy access to downtown Manteo. A camper stated, "Beechland is conveniently located within walking distance to downtown Manteo and is only a 10-15 minute drive to Nags Head Beach" (Beechland Campground). The downtown area offers local shops, restaurants, and the Roanoke Island Festival Park with living history exhibits.
Easy beach access: Short walks Many campers appreciate the quick access to beaches from certain campgrounds. At Camp Hatteras, a visitor observed, "We just got in during a tight time of year in the most sought after spot…and we understand why it is!!! Right on the sand just yards away from the water on the sound side. Sunset in your backyard" (Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground).
Wildlife viewing: Daily sightings Deer are common at several campgrounds, particularly OBX Campground. A visitor shared, "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" (OBX Campground). Birdwatching opportunities also exist at the nearby Pea Island Wildlife Refuge.
Clean facilities: Well maintained Many campers comment on the exceptional cleanliness at certain properties. A visitor at Beechland noted, "This may have been the cleanest campground I've ever stayed at. The bathrooms, showers and pool were pristine. We saw a staff member cleaning them every day at 9am." Pool facilities at several campgrounds receive positive feedback for their maintenance and accessibility.
Limited shade: Sun exposure Most Outer Banks campgrounds lack significant tree cover, resulting in sunny sites. A camper at Oregon Inlet Campground observed, "No real privacy between sites because there are no shade trees. The facilities are pretty outdated, especially the showers" (Oregon Inlet Campground). Bring awnings, canopies, or other shade structures.
Strong winds: Constant factor The narrow barrier island geography creates consistent wind conditions at most campgrounds. A reviewer noted, "It was definitely breezy but perfect to bring the heat down a little" at their sound-side site. Secure loose items and consider wind direction when setting up tents or awnings.
Grocery limitations: Plan ahead Food shopping options remain limited near many campgrounds. A camper advised, "Getting groceries is difficult. There aren't many options. Bring supplies if you can." Major grocery chains require driving to larger towns, often 20-30 minutes away.
Beach day prep: Morning strategy The beach access at Oregon Inlet Campground works well for families. A camper shared, "We drove to Coquina Beach during the day for our regular beach time. It's just a 5 minute drive and has lifeguards, restrooms, etc." The main beaches get crowded by mid-day, so arrive early.
Pool alternatives: When beaches are windy Camp Hatteras offers both indoor and outdoor pool options. A visitor mentioned, "Indoor pool was great for the kids on the cool and windy weekend. Would love to come back in warmer weather!" (Cape Hatteras KOA). This provides swimming options when ocean conditions aren't suitable.
Natural playgrounds: Dune exploration Children often enjoy the natural dune environments near campsites. A family reported, "From the moment we arrived, the kids were thrilled. The dunes are right next to the campsites and provided hours of fun—running, climbing, sliding, and just being wild and free." Supervise children on dunes to prevent erosion damage.
Site selection: Leveling considerations RVers report varying site conditions across Outer Banks campgrounds. At Camp Hatteras, a camper noted, "Our 36 ft pull behind fit perfectly on the concrete slab and was level without having to mess with anything." Request specific site information when booking.
Utility placement: Check locations Some campgrounds have unusual utility placement that can cause issues. One RVer shared, "Black water Hook ups are on every other row" (The Refuge on Roanoke Island). Bring additional sewer hose length to accommodate these setups.
RV restrictions: Appearance rules Some campgrounds enforce strict RV appearance and age standards. A camper observed, "They don't want older RVs" at one property, while another reported, "It's an RV community (nice RVS only) not a campground." Call ahead if your RV is over 10 years old to verify acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp directly on the beach in Nags Head, NC?
Camping directly on Nags Head beaches is not permitted. The closest beach camping option is Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which is located a short walk over the dunes to the beach. While you can't pitch a tent on the sand, this campground offers the next best thing with sites situated among the sand dunes. For those with 4WD vehicles, beach driving is permitted in designated areas with proper permits, though overnight camping on the beach itself remains prohibited. Beach access for day use is excellent, with many campers noting the wide, beautiful beaches perfect for daily walks and wildlife watching.
What campgrounds are available in Nags Head for RVs and tents?
Several campgrounds near Nags Head accommodate both RVs and tents. Beechland Campground offers a clean, no-frills experience with new hookups, making it suitable for RVs. The Refuge on Roanoke Island provides both drive-in and walk-in access with water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces. For those willing to venture slightly farther, Frisco Woods Campground offers cabins, tent sites, and RV access with sound-side water access. Most campgrounds in the area have basic amenities including restrooms, showers, and some hookups. Reservation requirements vary by season, with summer months typically requiring advance booking due to high demand in this popular coastal destination.
What is the best time of year for camping in Nags Head, NC?
The best time for camping in Nags Head is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are moderate, crowds are thinner, and rates are often lower. Summer (June-August) offers warmest weather and peak beach conditions but comes with higher humidity, fierce biting insects, and crowded campgrounds. Frisco Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore and other area sites are typically packed during summer months. Early fall provides an excellent compromise with warm water temperatures, fewer insects, and more campsite availability. Spring brings beautiful wildflowers but can be windy. Winter camping is possible with milder temperatures than northern states, but expect potential strong winds as noted by campers visiting in April at coastal sites.
How much does camping cost in Nags Head compared to other Outer Banks locations?
Camping costs in the Nags Head area vary by amenities and location. Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort typically charges premium rates due to its extensive facilities and services. Public campgrounds like Oregon Inlet Campground offer more affordable options, with basic sites starting around $28-35 per night. This is generally less expensive than private RV parks in Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills, which may charge $45-70 for full hookup sites. Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground offers mid-range pricing with more amenities. Overall, Nags Head area camping tends to be slightly less expensive than northern Outer Banks locations but comparable to other Cape Hatteras campgrounds. Prices across all locations increase significantly during peak summer season.
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