5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort accommodates pets across all 268 sites, situated just steps from the beach with a dedicated dog park for exercising four-legged companions. The resort offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins and glamping options with fire rings and picnic tables. Campground amenities include both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a hot tub, playground, and a bounce pillow popular with families. ['The campground bathrooms are generally clean with occasional maintenance issues during busy periods.'] Most campsites are level with full hookups including water, electric, and sewer, though some reviewers note sites are relatively close together. Camp Hatteras and St. Clair Landing Family Campground also welcome pets, with Camp Hatteras offering both oceanfront and sound-side camping options.
Beach access remains the primary draw for dog owners at pet-friendly campgrounds near Rodanthe. Many campgrounds provide direct paths to pet-friendly beaches where dogs can enjoy the water, though leash requirements vary by location and season. Camp Hatteras features a spacious area behind sites for games and pet exercise, while St. Clair Landing offers direct Sound access where pets can wade in shallow water. The local Dollar Store approximately 2 miles from most campgrounds provides basic pet supplies. Campers should prepare for strong coastal winds that can make tent camping challenging but help minimize insects. Weather conditions remain pleasant for pets with ocean temperatures consistently around 77 degrees, though summer heat requires adequate shade and water for dogs. Sunset views from sound-side campgrounds provide scenic evening dog walking opportunities.
"Though we were caught camping in what seemed to be a very dramatic North Carolina storm we made the best of it. Good location all around, close to the ocean and cool towns nearby."
"The walk through the dunes to the beach is negligible but be careful with kids and pets as it is accessable to vehicles and moderately trafficked."
Available this weekend
from $28 - $70 / night
"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."
"The first thing that captured my heart was the drive in!! It is AMAZING!!"
"They offer themed activities, multiple pools, playground, dog park area, bath houses with laundry, arcade/game room, mini golf, basketball, tennis courts, and amazing sunset views from the sound front"
"The tennis, put put, shuffleboard, dog park, and playground were all fun. The only downside was the equipment for the sports area was not in good condition."
from $32 - $130 / 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."
from $64 - $90 / night
"Best campground on highway 12. Concrete pad for rev and nice grassy area to relax. Short walk over the dune to beautiful beach. Dog area to let you pets run. All the amenities that you could want."
"The treasure is a trail over the dunes to the ocean at the back of the campground. The stay here is like a family reunion, cozy and fun. "
from $55 - $67 / night
"Water is a leg high walk to the hammock. Bathroom: showers were clean! Would benefit of having an fan unit to help cool off while using the toilet."
"Unfortunately, there was often trash or toiletries left behind from other guests in the showers, but there was so much room and ledge space that it was easy to avoid and didn’t bother me."
"Didn’t know it was the weekend of the wind surfing competition, rodanthe in general was booked, called the number she was obviously at home but that didn’t stop her from getting up and meeting us there"
"The new website is www.stclaircampground.com Facebook is St Clair Landing Campground
Been a seasonal site camper here for 3 years, stunning views of the Pamlico sound, great access to the ocean, sound"
from $40 - $60 / night
"Saw lots of bonfires at night along the Rodanthe coast and had to join in :)"
"Pet friendly, Fire ring and picnic table at each site. We return here often."
Available this weekend
from $28 / night
ScoutNice and quiet. Can probably be classified as a dark sky preserve given how much of the sky and stars you can see from the beach facing the Southeast. No reviews of the public bathrooms yet since we travel in a motorhome. Cell coverage is terrible.
GuideOBX Campground was one of our favorite stays! We spent 14 nights in Site 25, a spacious back-in site with a gravel pad, grass, and beautiful views of the pond and sound. Having no neighbor on the driver’s side made it feel wonderfully private.
The campground is peaceful, quiet, and tucked away from the tourist crowds. We enjoyed watching ducks daily, spotting deer in the mornings, and stargazing at night. I felt completely safe walking our dogs at 5 AM.
Water pressure was good, sewer access convenient, and Starlink worked beautifully. AT&T had full bars. Our 50-amp electrical service wasn’t working when we arrived, but maintenance fixed it the following day.
Laundry was affordable at $1.25, and there were two dumpsters, a playground, dock, kayak launch, and even a historic cemetery. No fire rings, so bring an approved raised fire pit.
Dogs are welcome, although there isn’t a dog park or pet waste stations. Watch for sand burrs in the grass! The office dog, Beau, was a bonus.
The staff were friendly and accommodating, and the location was convenient for exploring the Outer Banks. We loved it so much we tried to extend our stay, but they were fully booked!
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
TravelerWe continue to book here for the convenience of being near all that the island offers. Full hook up sites are available and being here for more than 3 days is always a great idea. No honey wagon needed.
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.
TravelerQuiet, sounds of the ocean, easy walk to the beach, toilets, showers and water.
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
Oregon Inlet Campground offers tent and RV sites across three loops within Cape Hatteras National Seashore, located about 30 minutes north of Rodanthe. Campsites are situated among coastal dunes with ocean access via designated trails. Most campgrounds in the Rodanthe area remain open from March through November, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and persistent coastal winds that help minimize insect problems.
Sunrise beach walks: At Oregon Inlet Campground, visitors can access the beach in less than 15 minutes. "I was able to hike out to the beach one morning in less than 10 minutes to view the sunrise," reports Ashlee L., who appreciated the lack of mosquitoes due to minimal grass in the campground area.
Beach driving: Frisco Campground provides direct access to designated beach driving areas. "There is a beach access ramp right next to the ranger station if you want to drive your 4wd vehicle on the beach," notes Melissa W., who also recommends Frisco Rod and Gun for supplies, as it's "only about a mile and opens early and closes late."
Watersports: Rodanthe Watersports & Campground offers equipment rentals at discounted rates for campers. "We noticed kayaks, surfboards and stand up paddle boards for rent! The rental hut was precious and the employee just as kind as can be," writes Kirsten J., who visited the small waterfront campground with about 25 sites.
Kite watching: The sound side provides excellent views of kiteboarders. "You can watch kite surfers during the day. They have their own access point for the Sound," explains Raquel R. about her experience at St. Clair Landing Family Campground, which features direct sound access.
Quiet atmosphere: St Clair Landing Family Campground offers a more peaceful setting than larger facilities. "Small, quiet, and everyone is respectful and friendly. The sunsets on the sound can't be beat and everyone makes you feel like you're at home," writes Ashley G., highlighting the community feel of this dog-friendly campground.
Beach proximity: Many campers value short walks to beach access. "Sites are level with full hookups including water, electric, and sewer," while "Sunset views from sound-side campgrounds provide scenic evening dog walking opportunities," according to multiple reviews of Camp Hatteras RV Resort.
Cleanliness: Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground maintains well-kept facilities. "The site is very clean and quiet. Indoor pool was great for the kids on the cool and windy weekend," noted Robin B., who enjoyed the Easter weekend activities planned by the campground.
Access to both water bodies: Several campgrounds offer unique positioning between ocean and sound. "Situated behind metal storage buildings. Full hook ups for 16 sites with 30-50 amps. There is a bath house... Access to the beach," explains reviewer N.I., describing the layout of the smaller facilities.
Wind conditions: Strong coastal winds affect tent camping throughout the region. "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," advises Amber at Rodanthe Watersports & Campground.
Site spacing: Frisco Campground offers varied site privacy levels. "Sites are on the larger side for the most part and many have some sense of privacy. This is the only Park run campground in Cape Hatteras National Seashore that has any bit of shade," explains Melissa W., though she cautions campers to "watch out for cactus and sand spurs."
Limited shade: Most campgrounds have minimal tree cover. "No shade. Don't know if we will be back," writes Cody B. about one campground, while another camper notes the "sites on the hill have a breeze and view of the ocean" but little protection from the sun.
Beach access variations: Walking distances to beaches vary by campground and specific site. "The sites on the hill have a breeze and view of the ocean. The ORV just outside the campground makes beach access easy," explains Roxanne R., highlighting the convenience at Frisco Campground.
Kid-friendly activities: Ocean Waves Campground offers play areas for children. "There is also a swingset - perfect for younger kids - to be able to play on just a walk away from our site!" notes Kirsten J., who recommends perimeter spots for more shade and quiet.
Sound access for younger children: The sound provides calmer water for families with small children. "The sound is great for wading and cooling off, especially for kids, since it's so calm and shallow," explains a reviewer of the sound-side camping options.
Indoor pool options: During cooler or windy days, some campgrounds offer indoor facilities. "Indoor pool was great for the kids on the cool and windy weekend," writes Robin B. about Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground, noting the special activities planned for holiday weekends.
Supply planning: Limited grocery options require advance planning for family needs. "Getting groceries is difficult. There aren't many options. Bring supplies if you can," advises Jarrett at Camp Hatteras, emphasizing the importance of bringing necessary items for children.
Site selection strategy: At larger campgrounds, request specific sites when possible. "We had reserved B4 but switched to B16 upon arrival... B16 was a little longer and closer to the restrooms, but neither had hookups," explains Lee D. about navigating site options at Oregon Inlet Campground.
Level pads: Most RV sites feature concrete pads for easier setup. "Our 36 ft pull behind fit perfectly on the concrete slab and was level without having to mess with anything," reports Lucy M. about Camp Hatteras, adding that "everyone was respectful and neighbors weren't noisy."
Power reliability: Some campgrounds experience occasional outages. "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," notes Bruce B., suggesting that RVers be prepared with backup power.
Pet-friendly considerations: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Rodanthe offer designated pet areas. "Great pet area and the staff is super nice," reports Sarah A. about Cape Hatteras KOA, though noting that sites are "very close to your neighbors and no shade."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rodanthe, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rodanthe, NC is Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore with a 4.2-star rating from 87 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Rodanthe, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 dog-friendly camping locations near Rodanthe, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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