Notable Campgrounds
- Best for RV campers: Oregon Inlet Campground has 107 sites, 47 with electric and water hookups, plus hot showers.
- Best for ocean views: Frisco Campground has 127 tent and RV sites dotting the sand dunes and a boardwalk leading down to the ocean.
- Best for beachgoers: Cape Point Campground features 202 tent and RV sites with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean beaches.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- You can reserve a site at one of Cape Hatteras’ four campgrounds online. Campsite reservations open six months in advance and must be booked three days before arrival. An exception is Cape Point Campground, where bookings can only be made four days in advance.
- Campsites can book up as fast, especially on summer and holiday weekends. Book a minimum of three months in advance to avoid disappointment.
When to Go
Summer is the most popular time to visit Cape Hatteras National Seashore, when the weather is ideal for swimming and water activities. Sea turtles nest on the beaches between May and October, and this is also the ideal time for birdwatching along the coast. For the best fishing, opt for a spring or fall visit. Camping season runs from April through November, but two campgrounds—Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke—stay open year-round.
Know Before You Go
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore is in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The main access point is from Nag Heads along NC-12.
- There is no admission fee, but camping reservation fees apply and permits are required for fishing and off-road vehicles. The two lighthouses require admission fees.
- Park facilities include boat launches, fishing piers, lifeguard-patrolled beaches (summer only), restrooms, and picnic areas. The park has cell service, although it may be patchy at some of the more remote beaches.
- There are accessible campsites, bathhouses, beaches, and boardwalks at Cape Hatteras.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Dive into an oceanside playground of sand dunes and salt marshes.
Sat to Sun: Closed
Seventy miles of sandy beaches, wild dunes, and wave-sculpted islands make up the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which curls south from South Nags Head around the Pamlico Sound. Seaside fun comes with a dose of adventure here, whether you go kayaking along the sound, explore the beaches in an off-road vehicle, or swim, fish, and hike along the Atlantic. Prefer ocean views to hitting the waves? Climb the historic Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras lighthouses, or spot seals, sea turtles, and waterbirds along the shore, then pitch your tent or park your RV by the beach.
Seventy miles of sandy beaches, wild dunes, and wave-sculpted islands make up the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which curls south from South Nags Head around the Pamlico Sound. Seaside fun comes with a dose of adventure here, whether you go kayaking along the sound, explore the beaches in an off-road vehicle, or swim, fish, and hike along the Atlantic. Prefer ocean views to hitting the waves? Climb the historic Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras lighthouses, or spot seals, sea turtles, and waterbirds along the shore, then pitch your tent or park your RV by the beach.
Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Summer is the most popular time to visit Cape Hatteras National Seashore, when the weather is ideal for swimming and water activities. Sea turtles nest on the beaches between May and October, and this is also the ideal time for birdwatching along the coast. For the best fishing, opt for a spring or fall visit. Camping season runs from April through November, but two campgrounds—Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke—stay open year-round.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —