10 Campgrounds On North Carolina’s Coast: Everything From Boat-in Sites To RV Parks
Looking for campgrounds on the coast of North Carolina?
Although western North Carolina is better known for its camping opportunities due to the mountains there, camping is also a great way to experience the state’s coastal side.
Whether you’re seeking a rustic campground or the conveniences of an RV park, the North Carolina coast offers a campground for every style of camping.
I live in North Carolina and love spending summers camping on the coast. I put together this list of coastal campgrounds so you can spend less time researching and more time exploring.
Ready to pick your campground? Here are 10 awesome campgrounds on North Carolina’s coast.
Primitive Campgrounds on North Carolina’s Coast
First up are campgrounds that are managed by public entities. These coastal campgrounds are great for tent camping, though many of them are RV-friendly, too.
1. Oregon Inlet Campground
Oregon Inlet Campground is on Bodie Island.
It’s the northernmost of four campgrounds in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Since this campground is managed by the National Park Service, it’s an ideal choice for campers who want to enjoy the serenity of a pristine beach. It is not a developed beach like more touristy stretches of coastline throughout the Outer Banks.
Both tents and RVs are welcome at Oregon Inlet Campground. About half of the campsites have electric hookups.
Although campfires aren’t allowed within the campground, campers can download a beach fire permit to have campfires on the beach in certain villages. Make sure to follow the guidelines listed on the permit to keep beachgoers and the environment safe.
There are plenty of things to do near Oregon Inlet Campground. Both the vehicle-free Coquina Beach and the Bodie Island Lighthouse are a 5-minute drive north of the campground. To the south, the Oregon Inlet is a spectacular spot for fishing.
Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Oregon Inlet Campground.
2. Frisco Campground
Frisco Campground is another one of the campgrounds in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
It’s located on Hatteras Island in the southern Outer Banks.
A major perk of Frisco Campground is the ease with which campers can access the beach. The campsites are nestled among sand dunes and a public boardwalk guides campers straight to the ocean.
Like Oregon Inlet Campground, tents and RVs up to 40 feet long are both suitable for camping at Frisco Campground. However, the campsites at Frisco Campground do not have electric hookups.
The same rules around campfires apply at Frisco Campground, too. Campfires are not allowed in the campground but campers can download a beach fire permit to have campfires on the beach in certain villages.
Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Frisco Campground.
3. Carolina Beach State Park Campground
Carolina Beach State Park is 20 minutes south of Wilmington, NC in southeast North Carolina.
This state park is bordered by the Cape Fear River and Snow’s Cut.
Although the park is surrounded by water, the campground is immersed in the woods and does not offer waterfront access directly from camp. However, campers can still access tons of water-based fun in and around the park.
Carolina Beach State Park has a boat ramp and a marina which provide access to the wide Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are available to rent for those who don’t have their own boat.
Outside the park, the Carolina Beach State Park campground is only a 5-minute drive away from the popular Carolina Beach.
All styles of camping can be accommodated at Carolina Beach State Park. Tents, trailers, and RVs of all sizes are welcome. A handful of campsites have full hookups but most of the campsites do not.
Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Carolina Beach State Park Campground.
4. Oyster Point Campground
Oyster Point Campground is on the Newport River at the southeastern edge of Croatan National Forest.
This small campground can accommodate tents and trailers.
The campground is in a great location for plenty of coastal fun in and around camp.
Oyster Point Campground offers a boat launch for canoes and kayaks to access the wide Newport River. (Note that you’ll need to carry your boat or use a cart since vehicles cannot access the boat launch). Fishing is also a popular activity here.
Back on land, Oyster Point Campground sits at the trailhead for the Neusiok Trail. The 42-mile roundtrip trail takes hikers through coastal environments including cypress swamps, bogs, and forests of loblolly pines.
Campers who want to spend a day at the ocean are in luck since Oyster Point Campground is only a 30-minute drive away from Atlantic Beach.
Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Oyster Point Campground.
5. Goose Creek State Park Campground
Goose Creek State Park is 45 minutes southeast of Greenville, NC on the Pamlico River.
This riverfront park preserves wetlands on North Carolina’s coast.
The park’s campground is separated into two different areas. There is one area for tents with well-spaced, primitive campsites. Another set of campsites for trailers and RVs offers full hookups at every site.
Within Goose Creek State Park there is a boat ramp and a riverfront beach. Paddling, fishing, and swimming are all popular activities here.
Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Goose Creek State Park.
6. Hammocks Beach State Park Campground
Campers who are up for more of an adventure than car camping should check out Hammocks Beach State Park.
The campground at Hammocks Beach State Park is on Bear Island on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast.
This campground is not accessible by car. Campers must either paddle to the island or take the park’s ferry and hike up to a mile to their campsite.
In exchange for the extra effort to reach the campground, campers will get to spend the night on a spectacular, tranquil beach unimpacted by commercialism.
There are 17 campsites for tent camping on the island, including 3 group sites. Most of the campsites are arranged in a line along the ocean side of the island.
Campers can enjoy swimming and relaxing on a sandy beach along the beautiful blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Hammocks Beach State Park.
RV Parks on North Carolina’s Coast
If you plan to explore North Carolina’s coast in an RV, check out these coastal RV parks.
7. Kitty Hawk RV Park
Kitty Hawk RV Park is in the Outer Banks town of Kitty Hawk, NC.
The main perk of camping at Kitty Hawk RV Park is the campground’s proximity to all of the fun available in this beach town.
This RV park is just across the highway from the beach. There are plenty of restaurants and services nearby and the Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve is a short drive away for nature lovers.
Unlike many RV parks, Kitty Hawk RV Park does not boast tons of entertainment like games and planned activities. But with easy beach access and plenty to do nearby, campers won’t even miss any of those extras.
All of the campsites at Kitty Hawk RV Park offer full hook ups. Sites can be rented on a nightly or monthly basis. Tent camping is not allowed here.
Call (252) 261-2636 to reserve a campsite at Kitty Hawk RV Park.
8. Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground
Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground is in the Outer Banks in Rodanthe, NC.
This RV resort is HUGE with over 400 full hookup campsites. The campground’s property stretches all the way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound, so both oceanfront and soundfront campsites are available.
Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground also offers campsites for tents, though they are pretty pricey for tent camping.
True to its name, this RV resort offers plenty of amenities to keep the entire family entertained. The campground has multiple swimming pools, a marina with rentals for water sports, scheduled activities, and many courts for games like pickleball and basketball.
Click here to reserve a campsite at Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground.
9. Outer Banks West / Currituck Sound KOA Holiday
The Outer Banks West / Currituck Sound KOA Holiday is in northeast North Carolina on a peninsula on the Currituck Sound.
At this franchise’s location, RVs up to 65 feet long and tents can be accommodated. Both waterfront campsites and campsites with a view of the water are available.
This all-inclusive resort provides plenty of fun both on and off the water.
Campers can enjoy the Currituck Sound using the resort’s half a mile of private coastline, fishing piers, swimming pier, a boat ramp, and boat rentals.
The KOA location also offers fishing ponds, volleyball, mini-golf, a playground, themed weekends.
Click here to reserve a campsite at the Outer Banks West / Currituck Sound KOA Campground.
10. OBX Campground
The aptly-named OBX Campground is in the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills, NC.
This campground is ideal for campers who are seeking a quiet RV park.
OBX Campground sits on an island just west of the main barrier island. This location allows campers to easily access all of the fun of the Outer Banks during the day and retreat to a less busy location at night.
The campground also does not provide all of the entertainment that can make other RV parks feel rowdy. There is a playground but otherwise not much entertainment provided on site.
OBX Campground has 56 spacious campsites. Campers can stay on a nightly or weekly basis. Tent camping is not allowed here.
Call (252) 564- 4741 to reserve a campsite at OBX Campground.
More Adventures in the Carolinas
- 10 Awesome North Carolina Lakes With Campgrounds
- 15 Spectacular Campgrounds In North Carolina’s Mountains
- The Best Campgrounds in (and Near) Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- 15 Beautiful Waterfall Hikes in South Carolina
As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.
