Oregon Inlet Campground sits on Cape Hatteras National Seashore between the Atlantic Ocean and NC Highway 12, providing direct access to beach areas through walking paths over dunes. Water and electric hookups were added in recent years at many sites, though tent-only areas remain in Loop A where generators are prohibited. The campground operates seasonally from March through November with temperatures often reaching into the 90s during summer months.
What to do
Beach activities at sunrise and sunset: Oregon Inlet Campground offers walking paths to the beach that take 5-10 minutes to traverse. "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," explains one camper who visited multiple times.
Paddling and water recreation: OBX Campground provides water access points including two ponds and additional waterfront areas. Located on Colington Island behind Kitty Hawk, the campground offers alternatives to ocean swimming. A visitor noted, "We drove up and 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."
Fishing opportunities: Sound-side campsites at Rodanthe Watersports & Campground allow fishing directly from your site. One camper described it as having a "great view of the water and for sunsets, the sunrise was a 5 min walk across the road with the beach right there as well. Walking distance to pretty much anywhere."
What campers like
Direct beach access: Campers appreciate short walks to beach areas. At Oregon Inlet, "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," reported a family who visited for a weekend.
Pool facilities: Beechland Campground maintains exceptionally clean pool areas. A recent visitor remarked, "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."
Wildlife viewing: OBX Campground offers natural surroundings where wildlife regularly appears. According to multiple reviews, deer frequent the campground edges at dusk, with one camper noting, "We stayed at site 19 for 7 days. The sites are fairly quiet, fairly nicely spaced, particularly for a private RV park... Lots of open area to walk the dog."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: While some campgrounds provide ample room between sites, others place units close together. A visitor to The Refuge on Roanoke Island noted, "Many longer term campers with a few sites for short term campers," suggesting a primarily residential atmosphere.
Wind conditions: Strong coastal winds affect tent camping, particularly on sound-side properties. At Rodanthe Watersports & Campground, one tent camper advised, "The wind was really strong and it made setting up our tent a challenge! Thanks to our friendly neighbors, they were able to get it grounded for us. Bring rope/canopy weight in case this happens."
Bathroom facility variations: Campground bathroom quality differs widely across the area. At Cape Hatteras KOA, a guest observed, "The shower area is co-Ed. They have a cute little play area for the kids, and had scheduled fun activities throughout the week," while others mentioned varying levels of cleanliness across facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Choose activities based on season: Camp Hatteras RV Resort provides both indoor and outdoor pools, making it suitable year-round. A visitor during cooler months shared, "So many amenities and fun things planned for Easter weekend. Indoor pool was great for the kids on the cool and windy weekend."
Pack for temperature extremes: Ocean breezes can create significant temperature variations. A family at Oregon Inlet recommended, "Definitely stay in the fall or early Spring as it can get very hot at the campground. 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."
Consider distance to attractions: Some campgrounds require significant driving to reach key destinations. A parent at OBX Campground shared, "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."
Tips from RVers
Book sound-side sites for sunset views: Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort offers premium waterfront locations. "We stayed at the Atlantic beach side of the campground, sites were just over the dunes from the beach. Beach area was for use by camp Hatteris customers and was uncrowded the times we were there," one RVer noted.
Verify hookup locations: Some campgrounds have unusual utility configurations. A reviewer at Cape Hatteras KOA mentioned, "Black water hook ups are on every other row," which requires planning when selecting sites.
Prepare for power interruptions: Coastal storms can affect electricity. One camper reported, "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."
