Outer Banks NC places to stay

[Emcemv]

Hey guys, we will be making a trip in the bus to Raleigh NC in Mid August for a trade show for work and we want to spend some time seeing the outer banks area, I know it's late to be thinking about this and making reservations but I wondered if anyone has any recommendations on places to stay, either a campground or state park, boon docking is OK for us.

[Oonrahnjay]

... we want to spend some time seeing the outer banks area, ...

    I'm pretty sure that there are campgrounds on Hatteras and Ocracoke  (Ocracoke is totally awesome, but there's no road connection and I'm not sure about ferry capacity).  Check http://www.ncdot.gov/ferry/  Probably the best way to get there is US-64 over Roanoke Island to the Banks and then down.  But I'm not an expert -- I live near the Inner Banks.   

BH  NC   USA

[Lostranger]

I'm no expert on the Banks, either, but you will find several commercial campgrounds, especially on Hatteras. Some of these spots appear upscale to us, and that may be what you want. I doubt that you will find any place to boondock on the Banks. We spent a few nights in a KOA on Hatteras in 2002, and it was delightful.

For the most part, however, a trip to the Banks for us means Ocracoke. We would feel cheated without time in the "quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem." The sun rises and sets over beautiful, white-sand beaches. People are friendly, food is great, the arts flourish and history oozes from the fabric. You can probably catch the famous folk group, Molasses Creek, at the Deepwater Theater, if that is to your taste.

As Bruce mentioned, you'll have to get there by ferry. The way we go — 64 to Manteo then south along highway 12 — the ferry ride from Hatteras is free. Busses are no problem. Here's a shot of us on that trip last fall:



That was early on a Sunday morning, leaving Ocracoke. Most of the time, the ferries are more crowded. You can save the drive along the Banks, though we can't imagine doing that, by taking the long ferry ride from (I think) Cherry Point. Bruce's link will give you accurate info. Last I checked, a rig up to 40' cost $30. Cars without trailers were $15.

Ocracoke has two commercial campgrounds with hookups. Both of them are heavy on trailer park ambiance for our tastes. I mean no disrespect to those who enjoy or operate those places. We prefer the BLM park. You can find it and the Hatteras park on the BLM web site.

The federal park has no hookups, but it does have clean restrooms, frequent hydrants, cold showers and a dump station. AND, it's just across the dunes from fabulous beaches.

Two provisos: The park has no shade, and in August, the World Conference of Fascist Mosquitoes will be holding storm trooper training. Actually, that goes on May — October, but it tapers off a bit near the end.

If you make it to Ocracoke, be sure to eat at The Topless Oyster. Ask for Janille (the owner) and tell her that her banjo playing hillbilly friend sent you.

Jim in NC

[bevans6]

Go stay at Debo's house - he is in Nags Head and that's as outer banks as it gets!  Just noticed his sig line reading the thread he started on his inverter, and got curious and googled Nags Head, then saw this thread!   

Brian

[tomhamrick]

Camp Hatteras is a very nice camp ground with concrete pads. It is a bit expensive unless you are a Coast to Coast member, then it is $10 a night.      You can Google them to find their web site.

[Oonrahnjay]

...   in August, the Wold Conference of Fascist Mosquitoes will be holding storm trooper training. Actually, that goes on May — October, but it tapers off a bit near the end. ... 

    The NC State Bird!  And I didn't know that the Hatteras ferry was free ... I either fly over or come from the south.  And, yeah, the long ferry is nice but it isn't as nice as it is long  IYKWIM ....

[BRUISER]

We go Hatteras every year in August.. we stay at the KOA there due to we have 2 small kids and they are very kid friendly with lots of stuff to do..

We booked late this year so we ended up paying a little more for our spot but they are a new Patio site they just built.. supposed to be a concrete pad, with furniture etc already on the site for you to use..

we will be there this year from Aug 9th threw the 16th. I also live in Raleigh so when are you gonna be here?

the best two places most bus people that I have talked to are Camp Hatteras and KOA. they are right next to each other.. the benefit of Camp Hatteras is all concrete parking sites that are level. other than that they seem pretty much the same to me..besides KOA being more kid friendly (activities every day for the kids )

here is a pic of what we will be in if you end up going the same time we are there.

[bigred]

Hey Guys:We love to stay at the KOA in Rodanthe.Danged expensive but every thing down there is in the summer.There is a camp ground right below the KOA called Ocean Waves .A lot cheaper but all sites are back in and the time we stayed there ,the mosquitoes were very hungry.Just above the KOA is Cape Hatteras Resort .Haven.t stayed there myself,but had a friend that stayed there a lot .He loved it .I believe the sites are paved but are all back in's.If you are into boonedocking,there is a national park campground at Oregon Inlet.Right on the beach but about all the amenities they have is a dump station and cold showers.While you are around Raleigh ,there is a place that we like to stay in Selma N C .This is on I95 and is called RVACATION Camp ground.This is about 30 miles from Raleigh.When we are going to the OBX ,we always spend a couple of days there as we go and 2 or 3 days on the way back.They have a beautifully restored train station in Selma and the Amtrack makes regular stops there.Rvacation has full hook ups and though not paved,they are big rig friendly.No cable,but I swear ,with a digital tv and your powered antenia ,you can get about 35 channels.Pool and catch and release fishing lake is part of the deal for around 40 bucks a night.Hope this helps and by the way ,If you should go by RVaction,take a treat for Camper,the elderly campground Mascot.When we leave Selma we go north on 95 then take the Kenly exit (Hiwy 301) to hiway 42 east on 42 till it connects to 64 east than stay on that the rest of the way untill it connects with highway 12 on the outer banks.

[Emcemv]

Well, I knew I would get some good replies, you guys are all great! Bruiser, those dates you are at the KOA may work for us so maybe we can connect! I was surfing last night and saw both the KOA and the camp Hatteras and will see what is still available. 

Thanks to all for the advice! Now if I can get the bus back together by then we will be ok!

[LowTide]

I agree with everything Jim mentioned, you really need to see ocracoke and also myrtle beach campground. Good luck, have fun.....we envy you

Mike

[BRUISER]

Well, I knew I would get some good replies, you guys are all great! Bruiser, those dates you are at the KOA may work for us so maybe we can connect! I was surfing last night and saw both the KOA and the camp Hatteras and will see what is still available. 

Thanks to all for the advice! Now if I can get the bus back together by then we will be ok!

Well if you end up going or when you are in Raleigh let me know.. I will see if we can stop by and say hey..

the other funny part is Grew up in CT

[bevans6]

You know what - this is going on my list!  I hope to be trawling the southern east coast this fall, getting down to Savannah in early December for a vintage car race.  I used to always take a week in Myrtle Beach (the state park just south that I forget the name of, has a neat old house on it to explore) but I now have a bunch of new places to think about!

Brian

[Oonrahnjay]

You know what - this is going on my list!  ... 

     As a born-and-bred North Carolinian, I feel a little guilty being as proud of my state as I am, but I tell you, the Outer Banks are something.  They're substantial, but they're in the middle of the ocean.  I think you're gonna love them.  And autumn is a super time to enjoy them!

[Debo]

Hey guys! Kinda late to the party, but figured I'd chime in since this is my neck of the woods. These guys are right. The Outer Banks are something to be experienced at least once in your lifetime. I've been lucky enough to live here for 12 years and work at one of the most incredible places on the planet - Jockey's Ridge State Park. Our park is day-use only, so there's no camping, but here's a great link to all of the camping that's available in the area:

http://www.outerbanks.org/outerbanks-campgrounds-and-rv-parks/

My favorites are Camp Hatteras in Waves, and OBX Campground in Kill Devil hills. My wife and I take little mini-vacations to Camp Hatteras in the bus and we love it. I'm not a big fan of the KOA because they tried to charge me $8 to go see a buddy of mine there once. Not to camp - just to get in! May be standard procedure, but kinda rubbed me the wrong way. Here are a couple of things to know:

1. DON'T SPEED ON HWY 64 ONCE YOU PASS COLUMBIA. This is the most ticketed stretch of road in North Carolina. It's a long straight road with a relatively low speed limit (55) and for the troopers it's like shooting fish in a barrel. Don't do it.

2. The farther south you go on the banks, the less developed it is. Duck and Corolla up north are full of McMansions and high-dollar beach property. Kitty Hawk is a little less developed, but still plenty built up. By the time you get to south Nags Head it starts to thin out a little. After you enter the Cape Hatteras National Seashore at Whalebone Junction, you're on the national seashore. From there, it's like going back in time. There are several villages along the route south (Hwy 12), and this is where Camp Hatteras and the KOA are located. Farther south and a one hour and fifteen minute ferry ride (free) later, you get to the island of Ocracoke - pronounced like the vegetable and the drink Okra-Coke. Once you land, it's still about 15 miles to the village. There's a great place to eat there called Howards Pub. (Howard was Blackbeards quartermaster. I think I know where Blackbeards treasure went.) Ocracoke is pretty cool, but don't expect to be "entertained." There are shops and such, but it's a quiet little village.

3. There's a state park about an hour away from Nags Head in the town of Creswell called Pettigrew State Park. They have 13 sites for camping, but no electricity. It's extremely remote, but by Lake Phelps, so it's nice.

4. The best time to visit is spring or fall. June, July, and August are the crazy tourist season, but it's all relative. Our crazy is like Myrtle Beach in the dead of winter. No comparison.

5. Expect fuel and groceries to be a little more expensive. If you don't like it, try living here.

If you make it out, drop by Jockey's Ridge and see me. I generally work 8-5, M-F. Other times I can be found on top of, under, or inside the bus.

[BRUISER]

as for the $8 to see your friend at KOA that is crazy.  we have had many friends stop by and never get charge, they just drive in and come to our site number.. I hope you had a one off experience.. cause that would rub me the wrong way also..