Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Cape Hatteras National Seashore
The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually. Whether you are enjoying the beach, kayaking the sound, or climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse there is something for everyone to explore!
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the official provider or park-specific camping instructions published by the NPS. Select the named campground and verify its dates, access and site rules.
Cape Point Campground ↗
Cape Point Campground with 202 sites is located southwest of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Hatteras (also known as Cape Point) itself. Open spring-late fall. Campsite reservations are limited to same-day reservations only. Campsites must be booked via recreation.gov.
Reservations: Campsites must be reserved in advance at www.recreation.gov.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: RVs and trailers are allowed at each camp site. The maximum total vehicle length is 40' at all sites. NPS lists an RV maximum of 40 feet. Trailer maximum: 40 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Wood fires are not permitted in the campground. Only charcoal cooking fires are permitted in a grill, stove, or other self-contained unit.
Site rules: Camping is permitting only at designated campgrounds. Check-out time is noon. No more than two vehicles (pop-up camper is considered a vehicle) and six persons may occupy a single site. Parking space for extra vehicles is severely limited, so plan accordingly. If you must bring more than two vehicles, make arrangements to park your extra vehicle outside the park or purchase an additional campsite. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, camping is limited to 14 days. The campgrounds are located on the ocean side separated from the beach by barrier dunes. Soil at all the campgrounds is sandy;…
Frisco Campground ↗
Frisco Campground with 127 sites is located west of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse near the village of Frisco, North Carolina. The campground is tucked between the sand dunes and shrub thicket. A public boardwalk allows easy ocean access for campers, and public bathhouses, grills, and picnic tables are available. Open spring-late fall.
Reservations: Reservations for Frisco Campground is recommended and can be made through www.recreation.gov or calling 1-877-444-6777 for dates within the open season, up to six months in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: RVs and trailers are allowed at all camp sites, though total vehicle length must not exceed 40'. NPS lists an RV maximum of 40 feet. Trailer maximum: 40 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Wood fires are not permitted in the campground. Only charcoal cooking fires are permitted in a grill, stove, or other self-contained unit.
Site rules: Camping is permitting only at designated campgrounds. Check-out time is noon. No more than two vehicles (pop-up camper is considered a vehicle) and six persons may occupy a single site. Parking space for extra vehicles is severely limited, so plan accordingly. If you must bring more than two vehicles, make arrangements to park your extra vehicle outside the park or purchase an additional campsite. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, camping is limited to 14 days. Soil at all the campgrounds is sandy; therefore, longer than normal tent stakes are recommended. There are no shade trees.…
Ocracoke Campground ↗
Ocracoke Campground with 136 sites is located east of the village of Ocracoke, North Carolina on the island of Ocracoke. The campground offers grills, flush toilets, drinking water, cold showers, and is pet-friendly. The soil is sandy, so tent-campers will need extra-long tent stakes. RVs under 40 feet are welcome at this campground. There's no electricity, but there is a nearby dump station. There is no shade at the campground. Mosquitoes are common, and insect spray is recommended. Open year round.
Reservations: Reservations for Ocracoke Campground are recommended and can be made through www.recreation.gov or calling 1-877-444-6777 for dates within the open season, up to six months in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: RVs and trailers are allowed at each site, so long at the total vehicle length does not exceed 40'. NPS lists an RV maximum of 40 feet. Trailer maximum: 40 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Wood fires are not permitted in the campground. Only charcoal cooking fires are permitted in a grill, stove, or other self-contained unit.
Site rules: Camping is permitting only at designated campgrounds. Check-out time is noon. No more than two vehicles (pop-up camper is considered a vehicle) and six persons may occupy a single site. Parking space for extra vehicles is severely limited, so plan accordingly. If you must bring more than two vehicles, make arrangements to park your extra vehicle outside the park or purchase an additional campsite. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, camping is limited to 14 days. The campgrounds are located on the ocean side separated from the beach by barrier dunes. Soil at all the campgrounds is sandy;…
Oregon Inlet Campground ↗
Oregon Inlet Campground has 107 sites and is open year round. Camping on a barrier island provides a chance to take in the power and nature of this special place. Listen to the breaking ocean waves while staring up at the night sky filled with stars. Walk along the sandy beaches during the day and share stories with friends at night. RV hookups are available at select sites. Running water and flush toilets are throughout the campground.
Reservations: Reservations for Oregon Inlet Campground is recommended and can be made through www.recreation.gov or calling 1-877-444-6777 for dates within the open period, up to six months in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: There are 76 sites that can have RVs at the site, while all sites can have a trailer at the site. The maximum total vehicle length is 40' at all sites. NPS lists an RV maximum of 40 feet. Trailer maximum: 40 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Wood fires are not permitted in the campground. Only charcoal cooking fires are permitted in a grill, stove, or other self-contained unit.
Site rules: Camping is permitting only at designated campgrounds. Check-out time is noon. No more than two vehicles (pop-up camper is considered a vehicle) and six persons may occupy a single site. Parking space for extra vehicles is severely limited, so plan accordingly. If you must bring more than two vehicles, make arrangements to park your extra vehicle outside the park or purchase an additional campsite. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, camping is limited to 14 days. The campgrounds are located on the ocean side separated from the beach by barrier dunes. Soil at all the campgrounds is sandy;…
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
NPS lists RV access at Cape Point Campground. RVs and trailers are allowed at each camp site. The maximum total vehicle length is 40' at all sites.
Backcountry camping and vehicle camping require park-specific authorization; National Park Service land is not generally open to unrestricted roadside camping. Confirm designated sites, permits and food-storage rules with this unit.
Activities, hiking & trails
Hiking. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
NPS-listed recreation: Auto and ATV, Auto Off-Roading, Astronomy, Stargazing, Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Group Camping, RV Camping, Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Food, Picnicking, Hiking, Hunting and Gathering, Hunting, Paddling, Canoeing, Kayaking, Junior Ranger Program, Snorkeling, Surfing, Swimming, Saltwater Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Museum Exhibits, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store.
Maps & road access
Use the official NPS directions and current alerts. Check vehicle restrictions and campground approach roads before traveling.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located along NC-12 in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. You can reach the seashore from the north by following US 158 to Nag Heads, NC and the turn-off to NC-12 and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. From the south, you can take NCDOT ferries from Swanquarter, NC and Cedar Island, NC to the village of Ocracoke on Ocracoke Island. The provided physical address is the location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, roughly in the middle of the park. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
The weather along the Outer Banks varies throughout the year and even throughout the day. Please check the National Weather Service information at http://www.weather.gov/mhx/ for forecast information.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. National Park Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Credit: NPS Photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Paddling Pamlico Sound
Lots of recreation opportunities await visits on the sound side of the barrier islands.
Credit: NPS Photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.