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Campgrounds on the outer banks, NC

PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2017 9:31 pm
by BaldHeadTed
Does anyone have a favorite campground on the outer banks, NC? This will be my first trip and I want it to be a good one. I like peace and quiet but every campground I see has so many "activities" going on and frankly, I really don't know what to expect. I am also wondering about state parks...

Any advice from anyone will be very much appreciated!
Thanks,
Ted

Re: Campgrounds on the outer banks, NC

PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2017 7:02 am
by daveesl77
Ocracoke and Frisco. Both have plus and minus points. Part of the National Seashore. We don't do the private campgrounds, so can't help there.

Ocracoke is behind huge dunes, very close to the ocean. You can cross the dunes to get to a fantastic beach with few people on it. Land side spaces (near a marsh area) can get buggy. Kind of like camping in a field, but nice breezes and the surf sounds are great. To get there you must take a ferry. Great for solar setup as almost no trees. Cold water showers, central water spigot in each main area. Can only get to with a free ferry.

Frisco is further from the ocean, but the sites on the hill give good views, some shade and privacy. Must use a boardwalk to get to the ocean and more people on the beach. Can drive directly to it. Central cold water showers, central water spigot.

Both are first come-first serve for all intents. You can "reserve" a space, but not a specific spot. Only on big holidays will they fill up, usually. Not unusual for either of them to only have maybe 20 campers during the week in the spring or fall.

We love them both and had I not hurt my knee and back this past weekend, we would be at Frisco right now. We like them both, alot.

dave

Re: Campgrounds on the outer banks, NC

PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2017 8:45 am
by lrrowe
These Federal campgrounds are nice but definitely out in the sun. No shade areas. Also in the Buxton and Frisco area there are private campgrounds that I have seen which appear to be very adequate. But they are not on the ocean front. Anticipate bugs depending on the wind direction and speed.

The Upper Outer Banks areas could offer more public beach access then the lower end near Buxton and Frisco.....Duck, Nags Head and Kitty Hawk. I am not sure about any campgrounds there as I tend to stay away from those crowds. The Buxton/Frisco areas are really more geared towards driving on the beach then having easy access to the water. Rodanthe also has a private campground. I have never been there.

And be aware of beach closings do to bedding birds and turtles. Many sections are closed even to foot traffic down around Cape Point (Cape Hatteras).

Search the sites with this link.
https://www.outerbanks.org/where-to-sta ... -rv-parks/

BTW, I love the Cape Hatteras. I love to drive the beaches and surf fish. The big Blue Fish are back and I am trying to figure out how to get there.

Re: Campgrounds on the outer banks, NC

PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2017 8:46 pm
by BaldHeadTed
Thanks for all the input and resources to check. I really appreciate it. I prefer quiet areas and was worried about being around too much activity/crowded places. Some of the places described sound promising.
Ted
:)

Re: Campgrounds on the outer banks, NC

PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2017 9:23 pm
by lrrowe
The area is so great, you probably will enjoy yourself no matter where you end up. Worse case, just hop in the tow vehicle and head to a favorite spot.
BTW, my avatar was taken at the point at Cape Hatteras. The other advice I can give you is not to attempt to drive on the beach unless youtake your tire pressure down to 18-20 psi and only try this with a 4-wheel drive vehicle. AWD will not work. I watch many FB sites from the Hatteras area and there seems to be photos posted every day of those who tried it without the right vehicle. They all seemed to be waiting for the tow truck.

And if you are on FB, search for anything geared towards OBX, Outer Banks, Frisco, Cape Hatteras, Buxton and so forth. They post some nice photos daily.

Re: Campgrounds on the outer banks, NC

PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2017 1:52 pm
by BaldHeadTed
Thanks Bob. Sounds like great advice!
Ted

Re: Campgrounds on the outer banks, NC

PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2017 6:27 pm
by lrrowe
BaldHeadTed wrote:Thanks Bob. Sounds like great advice!
Ted



If you go, posts photos. They are always nice to see. Have fun. Oh, and I should have advised that if you drive on the beach, you must now purchase a Beach Permit...$75 I think. And if you fish in the surf, you must have a North Carolina Salt Water fishing license. Everyone has their hand out.

Re: Campgrounds on the outer banks, NC

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2017 4:16 pm
by mcubberley
I have a sister in law with a condo at Nags Head. We drive by the Oregon Inlet Campground on Bodie Island all the time. It's never crowded even at peak that I have noticed. If I buy the camper I am building with my students that will be my second stop after testing the camper on the Blue Ridge Parkway.


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