Hatteras Island Camping: Top Spots and Essential Tips
Hatteras is a wonderful place for camping with pristine beaches, a clear sky, and wonderful nature surroundings. Here is a list of the best places to camp, along with essential tips to make one's camping experience on Hatteras Island truly unforgettable.
Cape Point Campground
Cape Hatteras Campground is one of the favorite campgrounds of most campers. It lies near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and has easy access to the beach, where you can spend all your time either fishing, swimming, or just enjoying a leisurely oceanfront walk. Facilities available are basic. Cape Point Campground, located in Buxton, North Carolina does not have electric hookups for RVs or tent sites. However, generators are allowed from 6 AM–10 PM. The campground does have potable water spigots, bathhouses with flush toilets, and unheated outdoor showers. There's also a dump station and water fill station located off Lighthouse Road. This would be an ideal spot for someone who loves nature and being closer to the ocean.
Camping under the stars
Frisco Campground
Frisco Campground has nice dunes and the views from the top are quite scenic. The campsites are relatively far apart, so you've got plenty of space and privacy. You may pitch a tent right into the sand and simply go to sleep to the sound of waves. It is also very close to the beach if you want to swim or just take a walk. The facilities available in this campground include restrooms, showers, and drinking water.
Rodanthe Watersports and Campground
This would be a good alternative for water-sport-loving campers: Rodanthe Watersports and Campground. Located on the Pamlico Sound side of this island, it offers shallow waters ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, or windsurfing. Sites have water and electric hookups, making it comfortable for RV campers. This campground also features restrooms and showers.
Ocean Waves Campground
Ocean Waves Campground is a small, family-owned campground in the town of Waves. It offers friendly service with easy access to the beach. This small campground maintains sites having full hookups for RVs, as well as tent sites. It also has facilities, including a swimming pool, restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities to provide comfort and satisfaction to guests. It is an ideal location for families or a small group looking for a cozy place to stay.
Tent Camping
Campgrounds on Hatteras Island
You can find a list of Hatteras Island Campgrounds on our web site. Use that guide to find pet-friendly campgrounds and compare the cost of camping vs renting a vacation home.
Essential Camping Tips on Hatteras Island
- Pack for the weather: Hatteras Island weather can turn quite quickly. Bring along both warm-weather gear and cool-weather gear, not to mention the rain gear. You will want a good tent and sleeping bag for camping.
- Protecting yourself from bugs: Mosquitoes and other bugs could be a nuisance, especially around the water. Take some insect repellent and use a bug net around your camp.
- Follow Leave No Trace Principles: Keep the island free of litter—pick up all your trash, and when departing, leave your campsite in the same condition as you found it. Be considerate of wildlife and other campers.
- Bring Plenty of Water and Food: Some campgrounds have minimal facilities, so you will want to bring enough water and food to last throughout your stay. Portable stove or grill to cook meals in.
- Know the Rules: Each campsite has its rules on fires, pets, and noise. Abide by these to ensure everybody is safe and has a good time.
- Prepare for Sand: Sand is all over on Hatteras Island. Bring a small broom or brush to keep your tent and gear clean. Sand stakes will help hold your tent tight in the loose sand.
Hatteras Island camping provides a great way to get out and appreciate the natural environment that the area has to offer. A well-prepared trip will be both safe and filled with memories. Whether you prefer quiet secluded beaches or more energetic spots with water sports, somewhere on Hatteras Island, you will find the perfect campsite.
