Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Reviewed Sep. 15, 2023

Great location with basic amenities

Camped at Oregon Inlet for its location near Alligator River NWR, and Bodies Lighthouse.

The PROS:

  • Great location - plenty of beach access
  • Warm water in the showers. However, I did wish they had an attached dressing area that was dry. 
  • Quiet and respectful 'neighbors'

The CONS:

  • Mid-September was hot, muggy and buggy. Also afternoon heavy rain showers.
  • Hard to enjoy the campground during the day due to the heat, and at night due to the bugs. I took a Tent with bug screens that covered the picnic table, so that helped but bugs still got in. Used Thermocells to help create a bug free zone relatively. Next time I will waterproof the tent cover for rain showers and it dripped a bit.
  • Bathroom doors left wide open and poorly ventilated, so they were hot and buggy, even at night. I discovered air conditioned bathrooms at Bodie's lighthouse and at the visitors center at the beginning of Route 12.
  • Yes, there are sand spurs at the campsites. I wore shoes so didn't have a problem.
  • It is true that you hear road noise through out the night. I found that week nights were notably quieter than weekend nights, including Sunday night.
  • The campsites are small and closely together with no sun protection.
  • Beach access involves walking over two high sand dunes on soft sand. Not terribly difficult, but hard for me with bad knees.
  • No area for washing dishes. I take a portable wash bucket. Took my dishes up and showered and washed them in the shower room.
  • One water spigot near the shower areas. I wasn't sure which was potable. Red and blue water spigots unmarked.
Site15
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore by Emily C., September 15, 2023
  • Review photo of Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore by Emily C., September 15, 2023
  • Review photo of Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore by Emily C., September 15, 2023
  • Review photo of Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore by Emily C., September 15, 2023