Boasting more than 300 miles of ocean shoreline, North Carolina is the ultimate beach destination. Naturally, it’s the perfect place to go camping too. With an abundance of diverse campgrounds and RV parks, you’ve got a big selection of scenic spots. Hardly anything can beat waking up to the sound of the waves, breathing in the scents of the Atlantic throughout the day, and counting stars on the beach during the night.
North Carolina sunsets are a thing of pure beauty too. So, that’s what you’re getting when deciding to stay outdoors here. We’ve prepared a list of the best oceanfront campgrounds and RV parks in North Carolina for you so you can have the time of your life at the top spots in the state.
Kitty Hawk RV Park - Kitty Hawk, NC
Feel the vibe of the legendary Outer Banks region first-hand by staying right next to the ocean. Book a spot at Kitty Hawk RV Park to get access to a myriad of outdoor opportunities on North Carolina’s most famous beach stretch. It is a campground that offers a full hook-up for your RV that includes water, sewer, electricity, and cable. Affordable and well-reviewed, the RV park not only gets you super close to the water but also allows you to be in the center of Kitty Hawk action, with lots of restaurants and shopping options nearby.
Bells Island Campground - Currituck, NC
It’s all about the water at easygoing Bells Island Campground. Located directly on the shores of the Currituck Sound, the spot hosts 39 full hook-up RVs and 29 RV sites with water and electricity for superb outdoor family time. You will enjoy the tranquility of the stunning North Carolina nature and will have a chance to kayak, fish, swim, or play volleyball. This place is ideal for calm and remote relaxation and there’s no WiFi, so it’s definitely not for a remote working retreat. Here, it’s for quiet observation.
OBX Campground - Kill Devil Hills, NC
When there’s OBX in the name, you know that the campground will be good and beachside. And the fantastically-located OBX Campground proves this point. You’re getting the most of this part of North Carolina by staying here. There are 56 RV sites set minutes away from the beach that offer a peaceful natural retreat. Be aware that it’s quite a far-off place, located on Colington Island in Kill Devil Hills, so coming here means getting a little bit out of civilization. In return, you’re rewarded with the unfiltered Outer Banks experience and prime access to the beach and a boat pier. Enjoy water activities and look out for the deer. A herd lives on the island and can visit your site to say hi.
Oregon Inlet Campground - Nags Head, NC
Nothing will be between you and the ocean at Oregon Inlet Campground. One of the most popular places to camp in the Outer Banks, it is a part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore protected area. Certainly not the most luxurious spot of all the campgrounds in North Carolina, the Oregon Inlet still has an unbeatable location. You can profit from miles of hiking trails with a magnificent Atlantic background and just give in to the endless expanse of the shore. As this is a park of NPS, the rules are stricter and it’s highly advised to follow them to avoid unnecessary fines from the rangers. Book your spot beforehand using the reservations website.
Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground - Rodanthe, NC
When many people think about camping on the Outer Banks, Camp Hatteras usually comes up. Having a unique location with access both to the ocean and to the Pamlico Sound, it offers a state-of-the-art camping experience with a whopping 400 hook-up sites. It serves as a resort, offering WiFi throughout the property, an indoor heated pool, an outdoor and kiddie pool, a jacuzzi, and a wide array of activities for the whole family. It’s a place where you can easily spend the whole week just soaking in the awesome atmosphere of the Outer Banks. Also, you can rent a boat to explore further or opt for a bicycle for long scenic rides.
St. Clair Landing Family Campground - Rodanthe, NC
Sitting directly next to the Pamlico Sound waters, St. Clair Landing Family Campground is a hassle-free spot to have a comfortable camping time. Amenities here are great, the WiFi is available, there are laundry facilities, outdoor showers with warm water, and pets are allowed on a leash. Guests noted the cleanliness of the campground, the quiet area, and the family-friendliness. Also, it won’t be a huge burden on your budget. The full hook-up RV will cost $65, which is a fair price taking into account the top soundfront location.
Ocean Waves Campground - Waves, NC
Family-run Ocean Waves Campground is a perfect place to choose if you’re looking for an oceanside North Carolina experience without noise and hassle. The beach is right there, directly accessible from the RV park. You’ve got 68 full hook-up campsites, concrete site pads, free WiFi, and a swimming pool. It’s a quintessential sun-soaked Outer Banks escape. The property also offers surf fishing, so be sure to try this activity too. There’s a camp store, so you won’t need to think about going anywhere to shop for basics.
Cape Point Campground - Buxton, NC
Although this National Park Service campground doesn’t have RV hook-ups, Cape Point Campground is one of the coolest camping sites to try out in the Outer Banks, thanks to its proximity to the ocean on one hand and the historic monuments, like the 19th century Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Museum of the Sea, on the other. Also, a setting between the sand dunes and maritime forest calls for long exploration. The immense North Carolina coastal beauty will surround you everywhere here. Each site has a picnic table and charcoal grill which is a nice deal for outdoor fun. And don’t miss a chance to catch the iconic Outer Banks swells. The beaches around Cape Point are perfect for surfing.
Frisco Campground - Frisco, NC
The music of the Atlantic waves will accompany your stay at Frisco Campground, one of the best camping spots along the North Carolina Coast. The starry nights will be illuminated by the romantic flashing light pulsation of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. You will have miles of dunes to hike through. Be aware, though, that Frisco Campground offers basic, rustic camping that some people may find quite raw. This place doesn’t have RV hook-ups and is very sensitive to the ever-changing coastal weather. So check out the conditions beforehand and as with every other NPS campground book your spot well in advance.
Long Point Cabin Camp - Cedar Island, NC
Staying at Long Point Cabin Camp is just a different kind of North Carolina camping. First of all, the site is only reachable by boat which adds to the charm and remoteness of the experience. A part of Cape Lookout National Seashore, it is comprised of 10 oceanside duplex cabins that offer a magnificent beach getaway. In a literal sense of the word, you’ll be on an island with no civilization whatsoever. Direct ocean views, miles and miles of the coast to explore, and the myriad of water activities make Long Point Cabin Camp stand out on the map of North Carolina’s campgrounds.
Holiday Trav-L-Park Resort - Emerald Isle, NC
With 313 RV sites, the large family-run Holiday Trav-L-Park Resort is among the best campgrounds to choose from on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast that stretches from Cape Lookout National Seashore to the New River. The beach is accessible directly from the resort, there’s a swimming pool, a go-kart track, and a playground for children. This campground is a go-to place if you’re looking for an oceanside experience, the water is very close and you can easily reach it. Reservations are exclusively made via phone, so keep that in mind.
North Beach Campground - Rodanthe, NC
Spend your days by the ocean coming to North Beach Campground, a family-friendly spot in Rodanthe. Fairly priced, operating both permanent and nighly sites, and having a family-friendly edge, this Outer Banks campground would be a nice pick if the beach is something you crave. The dunes and the waves are just a few steps away, you will feel their presence first-hand with gusts of salty winds and traveling sands gently forming next to your site. Also, you’ll have access to all the pleasantries of Rodanthe, such as the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site, as well as a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars. And as you’re next to the North Beach, surf fishing is something to be done too.
