Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Nags Head? Find the best information on tent camping near Nags Head, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Nags Head, North Carolina's most popular destinations.
Traveler
Wonderful campground! Clean, lots of amenities and super friendly staff. Great access to the beach and a great camping section across the street on the sound. Definitely recommend!
Scout
Excellent place all the way around, just make sure you take the amount of bugs seriously, even their website says so. We used 40% deet, bug zappers and I even took a powerful fogger (I used to own a pest control company). Then and only then was it manageable.
Traveler
We stayed here for two nights during our trip along the Outer Banks. We had a great time and enjoyed our stop here. Our site had a great view of the water and we could see the Currituck lighthouse at night. Our boys enjoyed kayaking around the sound and riding their bikes to the playground. It seemed like they are working to add more amenities and upgrades so I’d stay again next time we make it that way. 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.
ScoutWe stayed here for four days, and while the location is decent, the sites are terrible—no shade at all. The only good part about this place is the clean bathrooms and hot showers. The campground hosts are a nightmare. They've invented their own rules outside the official ones, and while some people get away with breaking rules, we were singled out. They became angry, rude, and defensive when we questioned them, even threatening to call the police on us because our son was flying a kite! As we waited for the police, we reread the rules for the fourth time and found no issue. The police never showed up, and now the campground host refuses to assist us or provide any information, ice, or anything else we need. They even spoke directly to our child instead of us, being incredibly rude to him. These hosts should be removed immediately—they've made our stay absolutely miserable. We will never return. This campground is not child-friendly, and the hosts clearly do not like children. Ocracoke Campground is way better—the hosts there are nice, informative, and genuinely helpful.
Traveler
That was a great experience! Go there only if Greg says it's ok. He knows how demanding it can be to get to his ground if you're not used to driving off-road. You need a 4x4 car. Wonderful five star primitive campground. No water, no toilet. Bring your own. Explore the property, the sound and the sea. We saw deer, wild horses, coyotes, eagles, turtles, dolphins but also mosquitos and ticks. Bring repellent. I will never forget the two days camping. Greg is a great host! Thank you for this incredible experience!
ScoutI am so thankful to Greg and Mary for humbly allowing me to stay on their beautiful property. What a unique and incredible place. The wild horses came to visit me daily, bald eagles, osprey...kayaked on the calm waters of the sound..hiked the beach and biked the trails up through false cape state park. Just an incredible opportunity I am so thankful that I was given, and by the nicest of people you can find. And I'll be back one day for those tires Dave! Haha, thanks to everyone that showed me around, a memory to be cherished.
Guide
Great KOA park with one row of dunes to cross to the ocean beach that depending on your site is only about 5 min walk. The park is well kept with clean bathrooms and showers. The have laundry and a very nice camp store with groceries, camping essentials and gifts. Sites are level with full hookups including cable that worked well. Wifi is marginal but they reported they have equipment on order to improve. We had spot along the dunes with covered patio with picnic table and a fire ring (no barbeques). The beach is wonderful. Great restful destination. We will definitely return.
TravelerI had the privilege of getting to stay on this property for a week while camping and exploring the outdoors in the obx. It was not only beautiful, but felt very safe as well! Greg and his wife Mary were extremely kind! They made an effort to help familiarize myself with the area while checking in and giving tips! I was also lucky enough to see the wild horses at camp & at the beach 3 out of 4 days i was there. This was truly one of the best camping experiences i’ve ever had. If you are ever in the area and craving a unique experience, I recommend reaching out to Greg and considering staying here.
TravelerFirst, Greg is an amazing communicator. He gave great instructions for finding the camp site. Plus, checked in to make sure everything was going ok and gave tips.
It was such a peaceful location and I even had the privilege of seeing a horse on the grounds on 2 different nights.
I’m so glad I had a chance to stay here and hope to have the opportunity to visit in warmer weather.
Traveler
My first camping experience and it was absolutely amazing! the beach was super close, extremely secluded- it genuinely felt like we were the only people there. Not to long of a drive to get to more “developed” parts of OBX AND the bathrooms were clean. The only down side that trip was the TERRIBLE wind on night one but aye that’s camping for you. 10/10 will go back again and can’t WAIT to do so.
LegendCool campground within the Cape Hatteras Nat’l Seashore, beachy vibe, sites are open and no privacy whatsoever, and you’re pretty close to your neighbor, but it is what we expect from most beach campgrounds.
Watch out for spiny sand spurs(?) that stick in your dog’s paws and your socks- very painful and they’re all over the grassy areas.
Bathrooms are nice, flush toilets. Showers are available for free, but they are a bit exposed, like an outhouse type set up and the doors are short. We didn’t take showers here but another camper told us the water is warm.
Beach is right behind the campground, easy access with several trails leading right from the campsites. Wifi is available per sign on office door, but you probably need to be at the office to use it, as we didn’t see it pop us as an available wifi source. Good cell reception for Verizon and ATT.
All reservations must be made via recreation.gov. We came in without reservations, drove through the loops, picked an open site, and made our reservation. Recreation.gov is nice in that there are no processing fees.
Campground was about 1/2 full on a Sunday in early November. We paid $28 for a no-hookup site, water/power sites are available for a bit more. There’s a dump station available across the street but we didn’t use it since we were just heading south to the next campground with a dump and fill station there as well.
LegendFrisco: The best camp sites in all of Hatteras NSS are in this campground. It is just north of Ocracoke- Hatteras Ferry. There are some sites with views and some sites with privacy - Every site here is better than the open park like setting at the other Hatteras NSS campgrounds. . Dense oak and juniper shrubs break up the campground and give a degree of separation to sites….. Frisco closes for the season on Nov 27. Sad. Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke remain open.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). Desire for at least moderately secluded campsites to be offered is important to me.
Overall Rating: 4.5. More privacy offered here than Oregon Inlet where we also stayed. Least of campsites are better, in my opinion, than Oregon Inlet. No electricity here, though!
Beach Access: boardwalk P1 and P 29: Price 2023: $14 w interagency pass
Usage during visit: Light
Site Privacy: Some great sites
Site Spacing: Good
Site surface: Blacktop. Our site was pretty level.
Reservations: Required.
Campground Noise: Quiet as can be.
Road Noise: Far from a road
Through Traffic in campground: No reason. The perimeter road on the right side is going to see more traffic. That’s because campers will be driving to their sites on the one way interior roads - when it’s busy. However, there are great sites on the perimeter .
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Dump Station: No. We will use the dump station at Oregon Inlet when we drive out of the Outer Banks.
Potable Water Available: Yes. At restrooms.
Generators: Allowed.
Bathroom: Clean. Flush Toilets.
Showers: Cold water and breezy.
Pull Throughs: A couple.
Cell Service (AT&T): 1 to 2 bars.
Setting: Dense low shrubs between sites.
Weather: Sunny and cloudy days. Highs are low to upper 60s. Always some wind. Lows are in the 50s
Bugs: Not this time of year
Solar: Great when sunny.
Host: I don’t believe there was one furing our stay - late in the season.
Rig size: Large rigs okay in selected sites.
Sites: P6 is cozy little sight, no view, but the picnic table is in a cozy little very shaded area. Ideal for warmer weather - tables in SHADED/PRIVATE picnic area: P8, P10, P40, to a lesser degree-D4, D5 , F1 PRIVACY: A2, A3,A4(picnic table and grill down a short hill from site.) A6 D2, P46, P48,P49,P50, P55,P56 through P62 even, P9(picnic table, a few yards from trailer site.) P17, P65, P67, P69, P71, P22, P24, B1, B5, B7, B4, B6,
P26, P28, P26, P30, VIEW of distant ocean: P66, P57, P51( our delightful sight - splendid view), P61(a peak of a view- less privacy), P73(pull over site, no privacy- great view of ocean.), P67(very splendid view of dunes, not ocean)
LegendOregon Inlet in Hatteras NSS, NC.:
Great beach and Kitty Hawk nearby.
We like this campground even though sites are pretty tight. We have been here later in November in the past. The weather was much cooler, but this campground is pretty empty then.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). I rate based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy.
Overall Rating: 3.5
Price 2023: $ 14 w interagency pass for non electric sites
Usage during visit: 95% full.
Site Privacy: Not good
Site Spacing: Sites along the dunes are pretty close.
Site surface: Blacktop
Reservations: Required
Campground Noise: Quiet
Road Noise: Noticeable throughout B and C loops. I’ll leave Loop A to be evaluated by tent campers. Homey, I will say to choose a site away from Hwy 12.
Through Traffic in campground: None
Electric Hookup: Some sites. See my map in pictures
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes. It is across the highway to the south of the campground.
Potable Water Available: At the dump station and near the restrooms.
Generators: Allowed.
Bathroom: Clean flush toilets.
Showers: Yes, but a gap between the roof and walls makes for a cold experience this time of year with the wind.
Pull Throughs: No
Cell Service (AT&T): 2 to 3 bars.
Setting: A pretty area between Highway 12 and the dunes.
Weather: Highs in upper 60s. Lows are in mid 50s
Bugs: A couple mosquitoes. Wind has probably kept them at bay.
Solar: Great when not too cloudy.
Host: They are super.
Rig size: Large rigs can fit in many spots.
Sites: See my map in my attached pictures: Circled sites B2 - 20 back right up to the dunes. C1 -21 have a broader view of the beautiful dunes with 5 - 21 in this group a bit larger sites. B 22 and24 are getting closer to the dunes. I like all these sites in comparison to the others. However, I appreciate being backed right up to the dunes. Site B4 is the best site, in my opinion. Rig size is limited for this site. It’s not deep, Punic table is near campground road, but isolated from B2 on the picnic side by a dune . B2 is a good site. Picnic area is private from adjacent site, but not from vehicles driving by.
TravelerThis is a must see spot. It is located right on the sound and the beach. It is located on private property that requires 4 wheel drive capable vehicle to access. You have to drive down the beach to reach this spot. Greg and his wife were extremely friendly and wanted to share the amazing property that they own. They have a dock with access to the sound which I used to explore the sound on my kayak. I recommend giving Greg a call if you want to experience a very unique and amazing camping experience.
GuideWhere else can you watch the sunrise AND the sunset from the same campground? Wow. I give this place an 11 out of 10
Scout
This is an extremely long review but please read and beware before staying at Hatteras Sands! My family and I are frequent campers at HS; we usually come down twice a year for the past several years. Until now all of our experiences have been stellar and even though Hatteras Sands is a little run down in some areas we liked staying because the staff was friendly and accommodating. I do not know what has happened(perhaps new management or ownership) but things are severely lacking in the customer service department. Let me preface by saying I witnessed the below events and was completely shocked by the behavior and level of unprofessionalism in which things were handled. My cousin rented a double lot and was told even though she paid for the double lot that since she had two cars she would need to pay an extra$100 for the second vehicle to park. She paid this$100 as well as an additional$75 for her mother to be able to come and use the overflow parking which is nothing more than a grassy lot next to a bunch of junk. She proceeded to park her additional vehicle in the space next to her camper as instructed. While cooking dinner we were being watched by a male outside the office and as we sat down to dinner the female“manager” and male rode over on their golf cart to inform us that our fire needed a cover over it if we were not cooking; no problem, this was an oversight on our part. Then miss manager advised that we needed to move said vehicle to the overflow parking even though my cousin had a double lot and paid$100 extra for parking. I proceeded to get into a heated argument with the woman, she refused to listen and was extremely rude. She made sure to say“I’m the manager who runs things here”…Was I in the wrong for yelling? Perhaps I was but she informed us that the owner of the campground would be calling; great! They never called… The next day my aunt and cousin went to the office to discuss the matter calmly to which the manager was very condescending, rude and unwilling to have any kind of dialogue. She instructed them to leave the office immediately; which they did without further conversation or argument. The same male from the previous night proceeded to follow them on his golf cart and confront my aunt screaming at her and telling her to“go smoke some more meth”. We assume because we are residents of West Va. He said this in front of my 9 year old son and two other small children. This was highly unprofessional and utterly uncalled for. At this point she is in fear that this man is going to potentially harm her or her children. She proceeded to pack up her entire site and the children while this same male sat at an empty cabin nearby and watched her the entire time. Creepy! Finally…the owner did call; she was very nice and did her best to rectify the situation. But the damage had already been done the result being a partial refund for the remainder of the days left on their reservation and my cousin moving to a campground down the road. To me this is not acceptable; she should have been give a full refund. Later we were shocked to find out the aggressive male is not even an employee of the campground but a subcontractor who performs odd jobs and the boyfriend of the so-called manager. They actually live in an area at the back of the office. They both made everyone feel unsafe and uncomfortable not to mention the derogatory meth comment. A word to the owner- this is not how to do business. You need to check in on your employees from time to time. Allowing such behavior is appalling and they will put you out of business if things continue on this way. I have read other reviews, we are not the only ones to have these issues. My cousin, my husband and myself as well as my mother in law; we all paid and we all saw and heard what happened first hand. We know many who frequent this establishment and we will be telling them all about this experience. More than anger I feel disappointment at the entire situation. This was a wonderful place where many memories were made and now ruined by a poor management team.
GuideCamped at Oregon Inlet for its location near Alligator River NWR, and Bodies Lighthouse.
The PROS:
The CONS:
Traveler
We have been here two times and cannot wait to return! Direct access to the beach and perfect location in Outer Banks!
GuideWe 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. Was definitely breezy but perfect to bring the heat down a little. Super chill campground with amenities nearby. The internet is terrible so if you’re working from home, have a hotspot. AT&T does much better in this area. We have Verizon and it was spotty. No streaming capability, but that makes for a tech free in the moment experience! You are right on top of your neighbor, but it still feels private, especially if you get the end unit. However, if you don’t want the entire campground of people near your site at sunset, don’t ask for a sound site on the end :)
Guide
We had an amazing time! The view of the Sound is incredible, particularly during sunset. You can watch kite surfers during the day. They have their own access point for the Sound. They have bathrooms, laundry machines. My site did not have dumping connections but they do have an On-Site dumping station you can use. It was quiet and peaceful. Would definitely stay again.
GuideSuper close to a beautiful beach, there really are no bad spots, but you are very close to your neighbors and no shade. A bit pricey - we chose a pull through w electric and water, but wished we had gone with full hookup. Bathrooms are ok - I did see other people’s hair and could’ve been cleaner. Some of the doors were broken and wouldn’t lock. Great pet area and the staff is super nice.
ScoutPaid for a water view spot, got a spot obscured by trees. Internet kept cutting out TV last night. Other than that it has been ok so far.
Traveler
Along the way to Hatteras. Gray sand, clean and peaceful. .
TravelerGreat location. Friendly and helpful staff. Great people who visit and stay at the grounds. You feel as though you have never met a stranger even if they come from as far away as Quebec or Minnesota.
TravelerThere are four tent-specific sites and I got the best one, right by the berm that separates the campground from the beach. The beach is the very best aspect of Ocean Waves, but the campground itself is jam-packed with RVs parked cheek to jowl, the bathrooms are serviceable but muggy and worn, and the staff aren’t particularly friendly. The neighboring 3-story houses towering over the campground keep their outdoor lights on late. There’s a little swimming pool and pool room and washer/dryer, none of which I made use of. One more thing: Ocean Waves is located on the south end of the OBX which is great if you’re like me and you prefer a less touristy area.
ScoutIt was a great visit on a hot and tad rainy day. The management around Oregon Inlet is fantastic and overall people are very friendly. Feels quite safe. Bathrooms are relatively clean and accessible. Ocean can be reached via slightly difficult to navigate sand dune trails. Only negative I encountered is the tent sites (both A stand-alone and B & C RV/tent combos) are quite small and are tough to break ground. The site I stayed at was not overly difficult as it had a somewhat grassy-sand hybrid area to the side that housed a Wawoona 6 tent with vestibule. Had to be pretty compact with the neighbor but no issue. OBX sand is also a bit easier to clean!
Scout
We love this place. They are always hosting activities, there's a beach and a pool, playground, movie nights, pizza and ice cream shop. We stay here multiple times a year.
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.
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!
