Camp Hatteras, Hatteras KOA, or Ocean Waves

[NCSunshine]

We are planning to go to the outer banks in July of 2004 with my family.  Which of these campgrounds do you think is the best?  

If you have stayed at more than one, what makes one better than the other?

Also, I know this is an odd question but, what about medical facilities?  Did you have to visit any, did you see any?  My parents are in their 80's and have health problems, and we usually check these things out too.  The funny thing is that most of the time it is my kids that get sick on us when we are on vacation.

[JonesFamilyJayco]

I too have wanted to visit the Outter Banks.  It is a long trip from my home near Charlotte, NC.   I wonder how much damage the hurricane did to the campgrounds?

[NCSunshine]

I too have wanted to visit the Outter Banks.  It is a long trip from my home near Charlotte, NC.   I wonder how much damage the hurricane did to the campgrounds?

It is a long trip for us too.  We live in China Grove 30 miles north of Charlotte.

[Gone-Camping]

I can answer your question! I go camping down on Hatteras Island several times per year, and know these campgrounds well.
 
I'll go ahead and explain the differences to you, but a quick look at my website under the campground review section will make you an instant believer, as I have pictures of both places posted! You'll be amazed.
 
Camp Hatteras is the larger of the two, actually much larger to the tune of about 400 campsites. It's totally flat, has full hook-up's including Cable TV, concrete site pads, and plenty to do with direct ocean access from the campground, several pools, game room, hot tub, free Putt-Putt Golf, tennis court, paddle boat rentals (sound side). There is not a single tree on the campground, and under a brutal NC sun in June or July, you're going to understand about the lack of shade. About the best advice I can provide for staying here is, get a site where your door is facing east, that way you'll have a little shade provided by the trailer from the setting sun! Cost is about $55 per night.
 
Ocean Waves by contrast is very small, family owned & operated. It has 80 campsites, full hook-up's including cable TV, clean bath houses, direct ocean access from campground, level sites with full concrete site pads, one swimming pool, game room, store, & ice. This campground does have shade tree's, though not every site has them, most of them have some shade, a few have a lot of shade. Site 21A is the only one with full hook-up's but has an earth pad instead of concrete. Shaded site's are hard to find anywhere on Hatteras Island, but this place has them. Cost is half what the other place is, about $25.50 per night family of four.
 
Inbetween these two campgrounds is the Hatteras KOA, but it's much like Camp Hatteras, no tree's, expensive, and hot!
 
If you're talking about a holiday weekend, you'll need to make reservations early, especially with Ocean Waves. We send our reservations for Ocean Waves so they are post marked Jan 2nd. They will reserve specific sites, so if you decide to go with this one, respond here and I'll help steer you towards what you're looking for (shade, sun, mix?).....
 
Oh, as far as medical goes, not sure there is much there besides the local rescue squad. These campgrounds are located within the three villages of Rodanthe, Salvo, & Waves right smack in the middle of the Hatteras National Seashore. There is no Hospital there, but there is one of sorts up in Nags head (about 20-30 mins drive north)
 
Click below for pictures of both sites...
http://www.gonecamping.net/reviews/nc/nc.html

[NCSunshine]

I can answer your question! I go camping down on Hatteras Island several times per year, and know these campgrounds well.
 
Ocean Waves by contrast is very small, family owned & operated. It has 80 campsites, full hook-up's including cable TV, clean bath houses, direct ocean access from campground, level sites with full concrete site pads, one swimming pool, game room, store, & ice. This campground does have shade tree's, though not every site has them, most of them have some shade, a few have a lot of shade. Site 21A is the only one with full hook-up's but has an earth pad instead of concrete. Shaded site's are hard to find anywhere on Hatteras Island, but this place has them. Cost is half what the other place is, about $25.50 per night family of four.
 
They will reserve specific sites, so if you decide to go with this one, respond here and I'll help steer you towards what you're looking for (shade, sun, mix?)
___________________________________________________________


Ocean Waves sounds the best to me, and lots of shade or at least mostly shady would be great.  So if you could point us in the right direction we would really appreciate it.  I knew someone liked going to the outer banks, I'm glad you found my post.  It is a shame that living in NC that this will only be my second trip (1st when I was about 7 or , but with 8 hours driving time we went to beaches that were closer.  Thanks again for your help.

[Gone-Camping]

Ok, the mostly shaded site's are 22-23-24-25-26
 
Partial shaded are 21-20-19-9-8-7
 
Full shade but without concrete is 21A and usually one of the last ones picked, but it's the shadiest site in the campground, and one of the larges sites, it sit's in a corner surround by brush. Note that all sites with adequate shade are the furthest from the ocean, but closest to the pool & store.
 
Also note I'm doing this from memory, and will try and find a site map at friends house this weekend and make sure I've got the numbers right. Most of them are the correct numbers, but there is a few more that have shade but I'm not sure of the site numbers!
 
My personal recomendation are sites 23-24-25, and site 22 is the one in the picture on my website with the old Starcraft PU on it...

[NCSunshine]

Ok, the mostly shaded site's are 22-23-24-25-26
 
Partial shaded are 21-20-19-9-8-7
 
Full shade but without concrete is 21A and usually one of the last ones picked, but it's the shadiest site in the campground, and one of the larges sites, it sit's in a corner surround by brush. Note that all sites with adequate shade are the furthest from the ocean, but closest to the pool & store.
 
Also note I'm doing this from memory, and will try and find a site map at friends house this weekend and make sure I've got the numbers right. Most of them are the correct numbers, but there is a few more that have shade but I'm not sure of the site numbers!
 
My personal recomendation are sites 23-24-25, and site 22 is the one in the picture on my website with the old Starcraft PU on it...

Thank you for your help, I plan to call them next Monday.  Hope you have a great Thanksgiving.

[fintastic5]

We go to the outer banks about every other month, and realy recomend Cape Woods in Buxton. //WWW.Capewoods.com I think. Lots of trees, SUPER CLEAN!!!, pool, playground etc. and close to lots of things.

[Unregistered]

We are planning to go to the outer banks in July of 2004 with my family.  Which of these campgrounds do you think is the best?  

If you have stayed at more than one, what makes one better than the other?

Also, I know this is an odd question but, what about medical facilities?  Did you have to visit any, did you see any?  My parents are in their 80's and have health problems, and we usually check these things out too.  The funny thing is that most of the time it is my kids that get sick on us when we are on vacation.

I know this thread is a bit older now, but I thought I could address the second question in your post regarding medical care.  Two health systems have joined together and built a new hospital on the Outer Banks, and it has a great reputation.  It is located in Nags Head, which is north of the area that you are discussing, but not far at all.  Rest assured that your parents and kids will have great healthcare without too much travelling.

[NCSunshine]

I know this thread is a bit older now, but I thought I could address the second question in your post regarding medical care.  Two health systems have joined together and built a new hospital on the Outer Banks, and it has a great reputation.  It is located in Nags Head, which is north of the area that you are discussing, but not far at all.  Rest assured that your parents and kids will have great healthcare without too much travelling.

Thank you for your information on the medical part, it does put my mind at ease.

[Unregistered]

Okay, site 21a sounds like somthing we would like...is it close to to the main road = traffice noise

[Gone-Camping]

Site 21A is in far enough, and buffered by plenty of foliage. Also, NC-12 can busy during the day, but it's nearly empty road at night. I've stayed in site #22 and #19 numerous times, never been bothered by road noise...

Campground now has a website (www.oceanwavescampground.com)