Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort houses luxury glamping accommodations steps from the Atlantic Ocean in Rodanthe. Visitors can choose from safari-style canvas tents and premium glamping cabins with comfortable beds, climate control, and convenient access to modern bathrooms. The resort features an impressive array of upscale amenities including a swimming pool, hot tub, and private beach access across scenic dunes. According to a camper, "The beach was absolutely amazing. By far 10/10 for camp ground beaches." Each glamping unit includes electricity, picnic tables, and fire rings, creating an ideal blend of outdoor immersion and comfort. Rodanthe Watersports & Campground also offers glamping options with waterfront views of Pamlico Sound, providing a luxurious outdoor stay with spectacular sunset views.
Glamping guests enjoy direct beach access for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing, with the Atlantic Ocean just a short walk from their accommodations. The Cape Hatteras KOA features a pirate-themed playground, jumping pillow, and scheduled activities during peak season, creating a family-friendly glamping environment. One visitor noted, "We spent 2 separate weeks here. The 1st one was planned, the second was because we loved it so much there." Guests can enjoy water sports rentals including kayaks, paddleboards and surfboards at Rodanthe Watersports, or relax by the pool at the KOA Resort. The campgrounds remain open year-round, though some amenities operate seasonally. Both locations allow pets in select glamping units and provide convenient access to local seafood restaurants and markets within walking distance or a short drive.
"There is a freshwater shower at the entrance to the beach so that you can rinse off when you’re done. The bathhouse was nice and clean. The shower area is co-Ed."
"Super close to a beautiful beach, there really are no bad spots, but you are very close to your neighbors and no shade."
"We stayed in site #4, which is one of the water/electric sites right on Pamlico Sound. Very level, and the view was amazing."
"Has fire pit and wooden picnic table. Gorgeous view of sunsets and water sports. Water is a leg high walk to the hammock. Bathroom: showers were clean!"
"The walk to the beach is a bit long, maybe about 1/2 mile or so. We stayed here for a night in early November and the place was nearly empty."
"This campground is right next to several beach access where you can drive your car onto the beach and fishing is good near the point."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 / night
"The location is fantastic. Everything is walking distance... restaurants, shops and the marina. The owner was very nice and helpful. Be aware the campsites are very close together."
"The staff is great. $60 for peak season. Hook ups are well maintained. Walking distance to the waterfront. Very quiet environment."
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
ScoutHas a nice pool and access to ocean. Fun activities for the kids.
LegendWe stopped for one night and wish it was longer. 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. While too cold, the pool looks great. NC was under a burn ban, so no fire for us. But they do deliver wood and ice. Great staff of work campers were all super friendly. Easy access to outer banks points and plenty of dining options near by.
GuideGreat 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.
LegendCampground is 1 of the 4 within the Cape Hatteras Nat’l Seashore. Cost here is only $20/night (the others are $28). No hookups available, but there is a dump station and potable water fill on your way out. Cell service is good. The walk to the beach is a bit long, maybe about 1/2 mile or so.
We stayed here for a night in early November and the place was nearly empty. There were one or two campers per loop, so the campground was nice and open and quiet. I think that during the busy season it would be an unpleasant stay, as the sites are all right next to each other, side by side, just big grassy area. Sites are large though, which was nice.
We didn’t use the showers but I believe they are cold showers. The set up is almost like an outdoor shower, with a short door and a pull rope for the water. 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.
Sites must be reserved through recreation.gov. It was easy to pull up with no reservation, pick a site, then reserve and pay online. No service fee through this site.
No wood fires allowed here. Each site has a picnic table and grill, nothing else.
Dumpsters available, but no recycling bins. Not sure if North Carolina segregates recycling after pickup.
LegendKOA Cape Hatteras Outer Banks Campground (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy offered - after the trailer is in the spot.)
Weather: 60s Bugs: Gone for the winter Solar: Plenty Rig size: Big rig friendly Road Noise: For sites near the highway 12 Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: Some full hookups Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: Yes Bathroom: Yes Showers: Yes Cell Service (AT&T): 3 - 4 bars Setting: Open park area between highway and the dunes Weather: 60s during our visit Bugs: Gone for the winter Host: Yes Rig size: Big rigs Sites: Those in the back along the dunes would be nice to have. See pics.
LegendTeeters in Ocracoke: Folks look to have permanent spots. There are fishing boats and golf carts for access to the nearby ‘city center’ of the cute town of Ocracoke. (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for at least moderately secluded campsites and a picnic area that is a bit tucked away. )
Overall R: Looks to be mostly Permanent Units Here for seasonal visitation. Usage during visit: 90% Site Privacy: None Site Spacing: Close Campground Noise: Quiet Road Noise: Very miniskirt if site is near the road . Through Traffic in campground: No Full Hookup: Yes Cell Service (AT&T): 2 to 3 bars Setting: Crowded sites. Very Clean Weather: 68 degree fall day. Bugs: No
LegendCape Point. - Hatteras NP: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for at least moderately secluded campsites and a picnic area that is a bit tucked away. ) Overall Rating: 2.5. Too open for me. Less character than Oregon Inlet as far as I am concerned. Price 2023: $ $10 w interagency pass Usage during visit: Almost empty. Closes soon. Site Privacy: Not very good . Luke’s eight through CO2 open, not broken up. Site Spacing: Decent Site surface: Blacktop Reservations: Required Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: Outside loop as approach entry will have most campground traffic Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes. You will see it just before you enter cg. Potable Water Available: Yes. Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Yes Showers: Cold and open to wind. Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars Setting: Open parklike. As you approach the last loop the loops are more broken up by shrubbery. Sites still are open. Weather: eyes in the 60s and lows in the 50s. Windy Bugs: none Solar: good. Rig size: can accommodate larger rigs. Sites: K26, K21 - about the best it gets here.
GuideWhere else can you watch the sunrise AND the sunset from the same campground? Wow. I give this place an 11 out of 10
Glamping near Rodanthe, North Carolina offers direct access to both Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean across a narrow strip of the Outer Banks. The region experiences strong coastal winds that can exceed 20 mph, particularly during spring and fall seasons, creating ideal conditions for kitesurfing but challenging tent setup. Water depth in the sound remains shallow for hundreds of feet, making it perfect for wading and water sports.
Kiteboarding on Pamlico Sound: Rodanthe Watersports & Campground provides direct sound access where campers can launch equipment from their sites. According to one visitor, "Water is a leg high walk to the hammock" and rental equipment is available at "half off for campers," making it affordable to try this popular Outer Banks activity.
Lighthouse exploration: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is visible from Cape Point Campground, with one camper noting, "Had a beautiful view of the lighthouse from our specific spot." Another mentions, "Be sure to check out the lighthouse and make reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons!"
Beach activities: The Atlantic shoreline offers swimming, fishing, and relaxation. A camper at Cape Point mentioned, "Take bikes and enjoy riding to the beach!" While another noted it's "about a mile down the road" to reach ocean access from some campgrounds.
Sound-side sunsets: Sites facing Pamlico Sound provide exceptional sunset views. One camper at Rodanthe Watersports & Campground described it as a "small campground on the water" with "soundfront sunsets." Another mentioned the "gorgeous view of sunsets and water sports" as a standout feature.
Off-season tranquility: Visiting during shoulder seasons offers a more peaceful experience. A reviewer at Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort shared, "We stopped for one night and wish it was longer. Off season and quiet, but very easy access in and out and a dune away from the Atlantic." Another noted, "Went in November which is off season. Very quiet."
Fresh seafood access: Local seafood restaurants enhance the camping experience. A camper at Rodanthe Watersports noted there's "delicious fresh seafood next door," while others mentioned easy walking distance to dining options throughout the area.
Wind conditions: Strong coastal winds affect camping experience year-round. One camper advised, "The wind was really strong for two nights that our pop-up was shaking most of the night. The good thing about the wind was it kept the bugs away, because mosquitoes here are brutal when there is no breeze."
Site spacing: Many campgrounds have limited privacy between sites. A camper at Teeter's Campground noted, "Sites are small but manageable," while another at Rodanthe Watersports observed, "All the sites were very small and tightly spaced, with zero privacy, which is pretty standard for such prime waterfront real estate."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Cape Point, a camper reported, "There is ONLY cool water for showers. It's not so bad considering the heat of the day." Meanwhile, a Rodanthe Watersports visitor noted the "bath house was ok" but the "amazing outdoor showers made up for it. They were huge, with great water pressure."
Water safety: Sound-side camping provides safer swimming for children than ocean beaches. A visitor at Cape Point Campground noted, "Wildlife, privacy, boon docking with cold showers and flush toilets. The best of simplicity. Take bikes and enjoy riding to the beach!"
Activity options: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. Cape Hatteras KOA offers "a cute little play area for the kids, and had scheduled fun activities throughout the week. (some required an extra fee)," according to one family.
Bug preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense when winds are calm. A camper warned, "Ocracoke mosquitoes are on steroids," while another recommended, "Bring rope/canopy weight in case this happens. There were no bugs due to the wind. However.. we heard that if it wasn't windy.. bugs were a big issue so canopy/mosquito net would be wise!"
Site selection: RV sites vary widely in size and access. At Rodanthe Watersports, a camper advised, "This place was really geared more toward tent campers and those with shorter RVs (25' or less, I'd say)," while Cape Hatteras KOA offers "sites for RVs all the way to tents."
Hookup availability: Full hookups aren't available at all locations. A camper at Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort noted, "We chose a pull through w electric and water, but wished we had gone with full hookup," highlighting the importance of choosing sites with appropriate connections.
Seasonal pricing: Costs fluctuate dramatically between peak and off-seasons. One RVer commented that Cape Hatteras KOA "nightly prices for cabins became WAY overpriced. The RV sites are getting pricey as well," while another observed they "had looked into tent camping over the Fourth of July weekend and they wanted $150 a night for a TENT site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Rodanthe, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Rodanthe, NC is Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Rodanthe, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 glamping camping locations near Rodanthe, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
