Can You Camp At Nags Head?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Camping directly on the beaches of the OBX is not permitted

, but there are many excellent campgrounds on the Outer Banks and in the surrounding coastal area. Most offer beach access or sound access.

Are tents allowed on Outer Banks beaches?

Beachgoers are also

prohibited from placing umbrellas, tents or canopies

in a manner “as to obstruct the line of sight to the water from lifeguard stands or other KDH Ocean Rescue surveillance areas.”

Can I camp in the Outer Banks?

Scattered along the 130-mile stretch of barrier islands,

the Outer Banks features a plethora of public and private campgrounds

. Budget-conscious families will find camping in the Outer Banks offers all the benefits of the region, without breaking the budget.

How much does it cost to camp at the Outer Banks?

Campground Location Cost Oregon Inlet Oregon Inlet Campground Highway 12 Nags Head, NC 27954

$28 for no utilities/$35 for utility hookups
Cape Point* 46700 Lighthouse Road Buxton, NC 27920 $20 Frisco 53415 Billy Mitchell Road Frisco, NC 27936 $28 Ocracoke 4352 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 $28

Can you drink alcohol on NC beaches?

May we drink alcohol on the beach?

Yes, but no glass containers allowed on the beach

.

How do you camp in the Outer Banks NC?

Permits are not required for camping in the Outer Banks, but

you must stay in official campgrounds that are either privately owned or managed by the National Park Service

. Oceanfront camping means behind the barrier dunes; camping on the beach itself is not allowed.

Do you need a permit to drive on the beach in the Outer Banks?


A beach driving permit is required for driving on all Outer Banks beaches, except the northern 4WD beaches of Carova

. Permits are available from the National Park Service for driving in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, or from the respective towns, (like Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills), in the central Outer Banks.

Is there any BLM land in North Carolina?


Boondocking is legal across North Carolina at several designated areas within the Croatan, Nantahala, Pisgah, and Uwharrie National Forests

. As long as you do not encamp near trailheads and follow all regulations related to fire safety (especially in summer), you’re usually good to go.

How do I plan a beach camping trip?

  1. Tent.
  2. Single, double or kids’ sleeping bags.
  3. Pack ‘N’ play (if you need)
  4. Food and storage items.
  5. Water and coffee (if you need)
  6. First aid kit.
  7. Hygiene supplies.
  8. Cooking equipment/supplies.

Can you have alcohol on the beach in Nags Head?

Alcohol regulations –

Alcohol is allowed on the town beaches

, however visitors should be sure and pick up all trash before leaving the shoreline. Open containers in a vehicle are illegal in North Carolina, even on the 4WD accessible beaches.

Can you metal detect in Nags Head?

Metal detectors are not allowed on state lands either, such as Jockeys Ridge State Park.

They are allowed along the northern beaches from Nags Head to Corolla

, according to a blog posted by First Flight Rentals.

Are dogs allowed on Nags Head beach?

Nags Head.

Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round as long as they are restrained by a leash not exceeding 10 feet

.

Does OBX Campground have WiFi?

OBX Campground offers 56 sites with 30 and 50 amp hook up. Water, sewer,

WiFi and cable TV are included in the nightly rate

.

Does Cape Point Campground have a dump station?

AMENITIES. Each section of Cape Point Campground has a modern restroom and an outdoor shower with cold water (inside a wooden shelter, so nobody can see you take a shower).

There is a dump station for RVs just outside the campground

, but no electricity or water hook-ups.

Does Frisco Campground have electricity?

We offer 30-50 amp service for RV camping, secluded campsites for your tent or pop-up and, for the not so adventurous,

we offer camping cabins with electricity and air conditioning

.

Is smoking allowed on Carolina Beach?


Carolina Beach approves smoking ban

; pending approval from NC General Assembly. CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WECT) – Town leaders in Carolina Beach passed a smoking ban at the beach, making it the first seaside town in the state to support a ban of this kind. However, the ban is pending approval from the state legislature.

Can you have tents on Kure Beach?

Tents, chairs, umbrellas, and other beach equipment is

not allowed within 15′ feet of the dune line

. Visitors should stay off of the dunes, (expect on marked paths and walkways), and should not pick or remove vegetation from the oceanside dunes, such as sea oats.

Is Carolina Beach a dry beach?

It might come as a surprise for some, but

alcohol is not permitted on the beach in the Town of Carolina Beach.

How much does it cost to camp at Carolina beach?

Reservations are on a first come/first service basis. During this period, there is a

$50.00 per night fee for a campsite permit

. NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING is allowed the Friday before Memorial day through the Sunday before Labor Day.

How long is the Outer Banks in North Carolina?

The Outer Banks are a chain of barrier islands that skirt the coast of North Carolina from the Virginia border to Cape Lookout through Currituck, Dare, Hyde, and Carteret Counties.

More than 175 miles

long, they are separated as much as 30 miles from the mainland by a series of shallow sounds.

Is Ocracoke Campground open?

CAMPING SEASON

Ocracoke Campground at Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located on the west end of Ocracoke Island near the town of Ocracoke. It is

typically open from April until the end of November

.

Can you drive on beach in Nags Head?

Beach driving is allowed year round on Hatteras Island and

October 1-April 30

in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills. For current Cape Hatteras National Seashore Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use, please click here.

Can you have fires on the beach in Outer Banks?

Beach Fires and Fireworks


Beach fires are allowed, with regulations, on beaches in Nags Head and along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore

. They are not allowed in Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. In Nags Head, permits are required and can be obtained by visiting NagsHeadFireRescue.com.

Can you drive the entire length of the Outer Banks?

About the Outer Banks Scenic Byway

The byway extends for

138 driving miles

and 25 ferry-traveling miles, and effectively crosses across several islands which includes Cedar Island, Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island.

Can you camp on state land in North Carolina?

State-Owned Camping Facilities


Four campgrounds are in the park at Oregon Inlet, Cape Point, Frisco and Ocracoke Island

. In the Uwharrie National Forest, there are more camping areas than any other central North Carolina area. Park rangers have designated special areas for hunters, horsemen, hikers and Scout groups.

Can you car camp in North Carolina?

If you want car camping with a bit of solitude,

look for a spot on Forest Road 1206, more commonly known as Yellow Gap Road

. The Yellow Gap winds from the North Mills River Recreation Area to the Davidson River Recreation Area, connecting two of the most popular recreation destinations in North Carolina.

Can you camp for free in North Carolina?


There is no state-wide or national policy allowing campers to stay for free in parking lots

, so you will need to get permission from the manager or security at each location. As you can see, with a little bit of legwork and planning, you can find plenty of free camping in North Carolina. Enjoy!

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.