outer banks, campgrounds S of rodanthe (waves)?

cruiserpop · Jul 12, 2007, 03:01 PM

We just got back from our first trip to Outer Banks a week ago, and just loved it. We stayed at the hatteras KOA, and were quite pleased with the experience. We investigated the campgrounds in the vicinity (camp hatteras, ocean waves, and the five or so smaller campgrounds in the vicinity), and were happy with our selection. At the end of the trip, we speculated on the campgrounds further south, and Ocrocoke Is as well for our next trip. does anyone have knowledge/experience with campgrounds S of Rodanthe?, or on Ocracoke?

dthurk · Jul 12, 2007, 06:52 PM

We've not camped in the Outer Banks, but we've been there on numerous occasions. OBX is one of our favorite destinations. I suppose it all would depend on what you're looking to do when there. The center of activity is, of course, from Kitty Hawk to Nags Head. Anything south of there is getting fairly remote, into the wilderness side of OBX. Okracoke is the remotest, approachable only by a Ferry. I believe the Ferry is no charge, IIRC, but still the wait is going to be extreme in the summer. I would be more likely to advise staying anywhere north of Okracoke and doing a one day trip by auto to Okracoke Island if you really want to be there. There's a National Seashore there with camping. Have you checked that out? I don't remember seeing it on your list.

badabing67 · Jul 12, 2007, 09:00 PM

we go south of rodanthe every time we go. there are several nice campgrounds further south, we go to cape woods cg in buxton and to frisco woods cg in frisco, frisco woods is right on the sound which is nice for the kids to play in, cape woods is in the middle of the island with trees and grass (shade and less sand). then there is the sands of time cg in hatteras village (haven't been there but hear it's nice). there's also a cg on ocracoke, haven't been there either mainly because of the ferry issue. we've been to ocracoke just not with the camper. there's also the cape hatteras national parks cg at the lighthouse. it's wide open with no hookups but very inexpensive. we just came back from cape woods last weekend and are ready to go agian.

TopJimmy5150 · Jul 13, 2007, 07:11 AM

Back in the 1980s (1986, to be exact) my family stayed at the Ocean Beach Campground in Duck, NC. I'm not sure if it still exists or not...it sure was a nice place.

'tiredTeacher · Jul 15, 2007, 11:37 AM

Quote from: cruiserpopAt the end of the trip, we speculated on the campgrounds further south, and Ocrocoke Is as well for our next trip. does anyone have knowledge/experience with campgrounds S of Rodanthe?, or on Ocracoke?

We have camped at Ocracoke. You must love the beach to camp here (I do). There is nothing but beach. No hook ups, no shade and bring your bug spray (if the wind stops, which is a rarity). It is not for wussies. That being said, I recommend you go late April-early May or late September-early October. This is the only National Campground that accepts reservations. The ocean and beaches are wonderful. Parts of the beach are accessible with a 4WD. Ocracoke Village is a bike ride from the CG and has many fine restaurants, quaint shops and historic points of interest. We go at least once a year.

Go here:

dupreet · Jul 18, 2007, 01:59 PM

We are headed down to Frisco Woods next week - hope it is as nice as the website shows

There are two campgrounds on Ocracoke that offer hookups.

Teeters Campground is in the village. It has been about 3 years ago since we tent camped there. Its a little rough, but within walking/biking distance of 'town'. Their website is

http://www.ocracokeisland.com/teeters.htm

Ocracoke Station is attached to a large convenience store - I haven't camped there, but remember doing some shopping there last time I was on the island. Their website is

http://www.ocracokeisland.com/ocracoke_station.htm

Unless you have a self-contained rig, or like to take cold showers with big bugs at the state/federal parks, either of these will give you some creature comforts on a great out-of-the-way destination.

Happy Trails,

Todd

'tiredTeacher · Jul 19, 2007, 06:09 AM

Quote from: dupreetUnless you have a self-contained rig, or like to take cold showers with big bugs at the state/federal parks, either of these will give you some creature comforts on a great out-of-the-way destination.

Happy Trails,

Todd

I don't disagree with a thing Todd wrote - these CGs offer more amenities than does the federal park. BUT (and its a big one, or two) Teeters is on a marsh, is a bit worn and crowded, and can be still in hot weather. The CG at the store is a fenced-in lot with all the good sites occupied by permanent residents. I would not stay in either, but I'm not a hook-em-up kind of guy. We are boondockers in our PUP.

dupreet · Jul 19, 2007, 04:11 PM

Agreed 'Teacher.....I will have fond memories of my wife screaming at a couple of giant bumblebees in the chilly showers at the Cape Hatteras Fed Park for a long time

Have you been to Frisco Woods? We had reservations at another campground, but some of the reviews it got on the PUP websites caused us to change plans.

Todd

'tiredTeacher · Jul 20, 2007, 07:15 AM

Quote from: dupreetHave you been to Frisco Woods? We had reservations at another campground, but some of the reviews it got on the PUP websites caused us to change plans.

Todd

No I haven't. Is it private? I have stayed at the federal park in Frisco on the way back from Ocracoke. It is similar to Ocracoke only they don't take reservations. We tend to shy away from campgrounds with hook ups. )Too many RVers and not enough campers. :p )

fallsrider · Jul 20, 2007, 07:36 AM

Quote from: dupreetAgreed 'Teacher.....I will have fond memories of my wife screaming at a couple of giant bumblebees in the chilly showers at the Cape Hatteras Fed Park for a long time

Have you been to Frisco Woods? We had reservations at another campground, but some of the reviews it got on the PUP websites caused us to change plans.

Todd

My DW, DD, and DILs have camped at Frisco Woods 4 or 5 times. We really enjoy the place. My DD loves the pool, and it is great being on the sound. We have never camped there later than Memorial Day in the spring and never earlier than Labor Day in the fall, but we were tent campers then. Now that we have a PUP, we might consider other summer times.

The main bath house is pretty decent, though on holiday weekends it doesn't always stay as clean as I would like. The other bath house is very rustic, but the same story on cleanliness.

Because you're right on the sound, you must like sand, because you will deal with it constantly. But that's true of any oceanfront or soundfront campground, I guess.

Overall, I would give Frisco Woods a 7 or 8 on a scale of 10.

We probably won't go back there much simply because I no longer have my Silverado Z-71 4wd truck. When I owned that, life was great at the Outer Banks. We would camp at Frisco Woods (which doesn't allow campfires, btw), but drive out onto the beach and fish or just hang out playing in the ocean with DD. Towards evening, we would dig a pit in the sand and build a fire at the high tide line. We'd make hobos right there on the beach and stay around the campfire until 9:30 or 10:00 at night. Life was good!!

I knew I would really miss my truck when I sold it!

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outer banks, campgrounds S of rodanthe (waves)?