NC Outer Banks

[Rhody51]

Anyone out there that's explored the Outer Banks of NC? We want to head there in April for a visit. Have some KOA campgrounds identified but wondering is anyone has stayed there or other state parks/campgrounds?
thanks
Rhody51

[Jagiven]

Lucky you. Been wanting to get back there for years. Lived there as a kid.

[MikeThompson]

We love Oregon Inlet campground. It's part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. About 15 minutes south of Nags Head. Walk over the dunes and you're on the beach.

[Jeffur]

We stayed there, nice place, very remote, state park. Small community with a number of good restaurants. Ferry to on and off. Wild horses and fine people. Miles of sand beaches and shell hunting. Park had good power and water spigot. Septic dump across the road from the park. Lighthouses to explore and a mariners museum. Very laid back pace.

[Quantum]

Camped at Oregon Inlet last summer. It was great. A bit wide open, so keep an eye on your awning, and the staff are really great!

[EA37TS]

Stayed at the KOA and Camp Hatteras both in Rodanth/Waves NC. CH has sites on both the ocean and the sound sides of the highway. KOA is only on the ocean side.

We have reservations for Camp Hatteras again this spring.

[chrismoore701]

One of the best vacations I went on. Amazing area. Do not drive on the main roads over the weekend. Crazy crowded. During the week is fine.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Rhody51

Anyone out there that's explored the Outer Banks of NC? We want to head there in April for a visit. Have some KOA campgrounds identified but wondering is anyone has stayed there or other state parks/campgrounds?
thanks
Rhody51

Rhody51

You mention going in April. The roads aren't too bad in April and heavy traffic doesn't start until mid to end of May and then runs through Labor Day.

Regardless of where you stay NC12 is a must drive but keep your speed to the posted limits. The speed traps are always out.

In April the winds can be high (25mph plus). If you are near the coast be prepared to keep awnings in and leave nothing outside unsecure. We have been there twice when we could not extend the awning due to winds and on one trip anyone that put up a screen room lost it if they didn't take it down. On our first trip staying at the Rodanthe KOA during late March we had to retract all of our slides at night because of fear the wind would rip the slide toppers apart and the topper flapping noise would not allow sleep.

You don't mention what your rig is. Regardless, if you are going down NC12 watch the weather report for wind speeds. The new Oregon Inlet bridge is higher than ever and the wind can push you around going over the bridge.

It's not all gloom and doom. NC12 is a great drive with many places to pull over and hike to the shore. Watching the colorful kite surfers doing their thing is a photo waiting to be taken. One of our favorite dining spots while there is the Oceana Bistro in Avon, NC (home).

Enjoy the trip. We are looking forward to our return trip this spring.

[FPM III]

I haven't been to the OBX since 2001, but even then, always arrived/departed on a weekday to avoid the weekend traffic nightmares.

As a youngin' I tent camped in the early 60's at the National Park Service's Cape Point Campground. Back then, all the stores were "mom & pop" except for a KFC at Whalebone Junction (the intersection where US-158, US-64 and NC-12 all met). The Bonner Bridge didn't exist and you ferried across Oregon Inlet.

As an adult, my DW, two sons and I camped in a pop-up from the middle 80's to 1999, then as empty nesters in our current Jayco Eagle 266 FBS TT in 2000 and 2001. We did most of our camping at Camp Hatteras RV Campground and Resort. The Cape Hatteras KOA is in walking distance of Camp Hatteras. However, we always preferred it to the KOA because all the access roads and campsites were paved. The KOA had a better camp store, though, so we used to walk down the beach to shop there (you want to avoid walking alongside dangerous NC-12. Note that some things I mentioned in this paragraph might have changed as this is how things were about 19 years ago.

If this is your first visit to the OBX (or even if it's not), here is some advice:

1. General: The OBX is an area of beauty and charm, but it's also hostile and sometimes a dangerous environment that needs to be reckoned with. It's swampy, sandy, buggy and constantly windy. Most of OBX's plant life consists scrubby bushes, especially near the ocean, making for little, if any, shade. The frequent high humidity at the OBX, can make life miserable without A/C. Our pop-up lacked it and the only relief was to go somewhere that had it.
2. Take lots of mosquito repellent. They can be murder. They're worst when the wind blows from the land to the ocean as it pulls them from the swampy areas.
3. Bring your own shade... and use sand stakes for anything that needs staked down.
4. Be alert for quickly changing weather and sudden high winds. There's a lot to see at the OBX. From some campgrounds, a trip to visit Ocracoke Island requires a (free) ferry ride and can be an all-day adventure depending on you stop to visit along the way. Therefore, secure your campsite before leaving.
5. DO NOT PARK IN THE SAND! Especially if you're driving a 2WD vehicle. AWD/4WD vehicles are probably OK, but I still recommend not to. If you do have to pull off the road, try to keep one set of wheels (front & back) on solid pavement.
6. Use sunscreen when outside. When the sun comes out at the OBX, it's HOT, and you can get sunburned before you realize it. If your feet are bare, don't forget them. My dad once got a bad sunburn on his feet from just a few hour of exposure.

My list above is only a start, but I'm sure some other OBXers can easily add to it.

[Rhody51]

Thanks all for the input.
We are in a Jayco 284BHSH and a Ford F150 5.0.
One question, on my road map, there is a dotted line from Ocracoke Lighthouse across the water to Cedar Island, is this a newly constructed bridge?
thanks

[FPM III]

No, it’s a ferry. There two routes. One goes from Ocracoke to Cedar Island, the other from Ocracoke to Swanquater. These are toll ferries. All ferries are operated by the state of North Carolina. Ocracoke Island is reachable only by ferry. There’s a free ferry that takes you there from the village of Hatteras on Hatteras Island. The link below will take you to NC Ferry division’s website for more information.

https://www.nc.gov/services/ferry-ro...d-reservations

[Cannon]

Make sure you take the ferry to Oceacoke and eat at Howards.