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Best Campgrounds near Nags Head, NC

351 Reviews

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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Nags Head, North Carolina (36)

    1. Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    82 Reviews
    Nags Head, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 441-6246

    $28 - $70 / night

    "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."

    2. Camp Hatteras

    30 Reviews
    Rodanthe, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 987-2307

    $32 - $130 / night

    "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."

    3. OBX Campground

    10 Reviews
    Kill Devil Hills, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 564-4741

    $50 - $90 / night

    "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."

    4. The Refuge on Roanoke Island

    8 Reviews
    Manteo, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 473-1096

    "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."

    5. Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort

    29 Reviews
    Rodanthe, NC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 987-2307

    "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."

    6. Kitty Hawk RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Kitty Hawk, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 261-2636

    $55 - $70 / night

    "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."

    7. Beechland Campground

    1 Review
    Manteo, NC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 260-5800

    $60 - $80 / night

    "Beechland is conveniently located within walking distance to downtown Manteo and is only a 10- 15 minute drive to Nags Head Beach."

    8. Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground

    12 Reviews
    Rodanthe, NC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 987-2777

    $40 - $165 / night

    "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."

    9. Outer Banks Beach Life

    2 Reviews
    Duck, NC
    17 miles
    +1 (816) 718-5948

    $49 / night

    "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!"

    10. Adventure Bound Campground

    1 Review
    Kitty Hawk, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 255-1130
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Recent Camping Photos near Nags Head, NC

88 Photos of 36 Nags Head Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Nags Head, NC

351 Reviews of 36 Nags Head Campgrounds

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Avon by the Sea

    Avon by the Sea- fantastic place

    Came here to go surf fishing. 2 minute walk to beach, pier, fishing. Stayed in spot 17, electric, water, sewer. Bathrooms and showers very nice- looks new. I will be staying here a lot going forward.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Kitty Hawk RV Park

    Kitty Box

    Our 1st interaction was with the rude man that seems to be managing the check-in and management of the pulling in. We were stuck in one of the worst back-in spot locations on the campground. It was surrounded by full-time residents across the street from us. The residents have porches, stairs and several cars all around their ground bound trailers in regular size RV site. The management guy made his attempt to help my husband back in our trailer by berating him, questioning his experience backing our 19 ft trailer. He even had the nerve to ask me to pay him CASH while, my husband continued park the trailer. I said, "NO."  He was extremely unhinged and verbally abusive and now you don't want to ask my husband for cash?????? We asked him for a receipt and he gave us some shady excuse that the woman in the office was very busy and would get back to us in 24 hours with a receipt. BTW, this women in the office doesn't answer her calls for 24hrs.

    Our experience staying here felt like we were staying in a homeless camp with societies most delusional elitist drop outs.  

    The site pads at dirt/sand and partial grass. The bench tables are in the way of backing in because, the sites are too small and Avery shallow. Beware: the bench tables are old and heavy to move and the management guy offered no assistance to move the bench table. There was so much dirt & sandy in our trailer I was so happy to get leave just so I could mop and clean all Kitty Sand out of my trailer.

    I do not recommend this camp site. We noticed on the night before we left there are other camp grounds near by that look better maintained.

  • Jeffrey L P.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2025

    The Refuge on Roanoke Island

    Beautiful Location

    Fantastic lot backing up to the water. Only negative is customer service is slow.

  • B
    May. 5, 2025

    Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground

    Beware-disappointed

    Paid for oceanfront and got site 38 which is further away from ocean than second row- only to see 2-3 front row sites set empty our entire weekend. They do not assign sites until arrival. Lost power for a few hours on entire campground first night and it was 82 degrees - no email or message as to what was happening. Then headed to the south beach entrance only to find it boarded up for repairs-I’m still chill-until I go to take a shower on Sunday morning at 0930 and I was locked out while it was being cleaned. Unpleasant and disappointing for $155+\night

  • Rebecca A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    The area is great

    I like this campground. Very quiet and basic. Clean and easy to get to. But do your due diligence when reserving - the sites look bigger in the photos. We boondock a lot and didn’t even bother trying to compete for one of the few sites with hookups. Our 22k trailer fit in our spit but there was barely room for the truck - she’s parked at an angle. I got a little nervous getting backed in because the sites on this loop (B12) are a little tight. But if you like walking, and love to hear the waves outside your window when you sleep this is the place. Went across the street to the marina and had lunch at the Sea Chef. Sat out on the deck with our small 12lb dog and just had a wonderful time x the even brought her a doggy bowl with water. We will stay here again!

  • R C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2025

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Good camping in the sand dunes of the OBX

    Sites are basic and close together (no wood fires allowed), you’re basically camping in the sand dunes. Short walk across the dunes to the beach. Showers and toilets are clean and good. I came in April and not sure if it’s like this all year round but my site was like a wind tunnel so be prepared for that. Location is good - close to the lighthouse and maybe 15 min south of busy commercialized Nags Head. Requires advance reservation through recreation dot gov. Only thing I didn’t like was how close the sites were to each other but other than that all was good.

  • D
    Apr. 7, 2025

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Fun Family OBX Weekend

    We just got back from a weekend at Oregon Inlet Campground, and it was such a memorable family experience! If you’re looking for a place to truly enjoy the beauty of the Outer Banks while keeping things simple and family-friendly, this campground is a great option.

    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. It’s not every day your campsite is just steps away from natural sand playgrounds! Plus, the beach is a short walk over the dunes, which made it super easy to head over for sunrise walks, midday swims, and evening shell hunts.

    The campsites themselves are fairly basic but clean and well-maintained. They are a little 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. You can definitely tell this campground is designed for folks who want to enjoy the natural surroundings rather than fancy amenities, which we appreciated.

    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. We slept great with the sounds of the ocean in the background and woke up refreshed each morning. It didn’t feel like a packed, noisy campground at all—which we were a little worried about at first.

    The bathhouse was a pleasant surprise. It was very clean during our stay, and the showers were consistently warm (which felt amazing after sandy beach adventures). Having a warm, clean shower available really made a difference, especially with little kids who don’t exactly love cold rinse-offs.

    Another plus was how close we were to other parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. We took 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.

    Overall, Oregon Inlet Campground gave us everything we wanted for a low-key, nature-filled family getaway. It’s not luxurious, but if you’re coming for the dunes, the beach, and some quality time outdoors, it checks all the boxes. Our kids are already asking when we can go back, and honestly—we’re asking ourselves the same thing!

Guide to Nags Head

Camping near Nags Head, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful beaches, unique wildlife, and a variety of campgrounds to suit different needs. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet retreat, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like Oregon Inlet Campground, provide easy access to the beach. "The beach is right behind the campground, easy access with several trails leading right from the campsites," shared a camper.
  • Fishing and Water Sports: The area is great for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. One visitor noted, "We had a great time kayaking around the sound and riding our bikes to the playground" at Outer Banks West - Currituck Sound KOA.
  • Hiking Trails: Explore local trails like the Moccasin Trail near Pettigrew State Park Campground. A camper mentioned, "The trail was a nice walk along the lake, but sure wasn't dull for us!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One review for Frisco Campground stated, "The bathrooms were clean and tidy and free of bugs, webs, and mess."
  • Secluded Spots: Many enjoy the privacy offered by certain campgrounds. A visitor at Hatteras Sands Campground said, "The sites along the waterway would be nicest. They are very cute cabins and some with water view."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers often mention the welcoming vibe. One reviewer at Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort noted, "Great location. Friendly and helpful staff."

What you should know:

  • Bugs and Weather: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Ocracoke Campground warned, "Mid-September was hot, muggy and buggy."
  • Reservations Required: Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak season. One camper at Cape Point Campground mentioned, "Sites must be reserved through recreation.gov."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Frisco Campground, do not have electric hookups or showers, so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with amenities like playgrounds and easy beach access. A parent at North Carolina Oregon Inlet Campground said, "This campground is not child-friendly, and the hosts clearly do not like children."
  • Pack Bug Spray: Given the presence of bugs, especially in summer, it's wise to bring bug spray. A camper at Ocracoke Campground noted, "We were worried about mosquitoes, but not an issue with the breeze."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or kayaks for family fun. One family at Outer Banks West - Currituck Sound KOA enjoyed, "Our boys enjoyed kayaking around the sound."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Camp Hatteras mentioned, "Big rig friendly."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you prefer more amenities, choose campgrounds with full hookups. One camper at Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort appreciated, "Sites are level with full hookups including cable that worked well."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially near roads. A visitor at Hatteras Sands Campground noted, "The area seems quiet."

Camping near Nags Head, North Carolina, offers a variety of experiences, from beach access to family-friendly activities. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor adventure!

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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