The Outer Banks of North Carolina has had a piece of my heart since I was a girl. As soon as I had my driver’s permit I couldn’t wait to take my suv to the beach and drive on the sand. Many weekends growing up I spent fishing and laying in the sun on Oregon Inlet. As an adult I’ve stayed in too many Outer Banks hotels and rentals to count. I feel like the OBX is a part of me.
For me being able to camp on the Outer Banks is literally a dream come true. For those of you interested in camping on the OBX there are many camping choices. I am new to rving having just remodeled an almost 30 year old Sunline Saturn I’ve named the Lilly Pad. This trip to Oregon Inlet Campground was our madden trip and the campground featured can be booked on recreation.gov . The online booking process was very easy as was the checkin and out at the location.
Oregon Inlet Campground 101
Oregon Inlet Campground is compromised of three sections. Section A is solely for tent camping and B/C allows for tents and RV’s (some offering electric and water hook ups). Generators are also, allowed to be used from 7am-10pm in B/C. The campground is across the street from the Oregon Inlet fishing area which has a dump station, fresh water hook up for getting your potable water and a small store for necessities.
You can also, often buy fresh fish in the area or drive a few miles North to Sugar Shack Fish Market Oyster Bar and Grill for them. Sweet NC shrimp purchased fresh from the Sugar Shack Fish Market are hard to beat in the OBX! Cooking up fresh, local seafood makes a wonderful addition to any beach camping experience.
This campground is well maintained, has a ranger station and onsite host volunteers. The best part is the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean is right over the dunes of the camping area. A quick walk from the campground and you can swim in the cool green water of the island or catch your dinner. You can also, get an off road vehicle permit and drive your 4×4 vehicle on the beach and park at your chosen beach spot while visiting the OBX.
Things to do in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
The towns of Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills are a quick drive North and have many grocery stores and restaurants to choose from as well as plenty of shopping. The Bodie Lighthouse is also, a few miles up the street from the OI campground as well as one of my favorite NC beaches Coquina beach. A further drive North for a day trip and one can visit the quaint town of Duck, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse or even go see the wild horses of Corolla on a horse adventure or hop on an atv and ride the dunes.
If you’re looking to explore I highly suggest booking a flight over the islands through OBX Air Planes. You’ll definitely get a better appreciation for how the beautiful outer banks is laid out and if you’re lucky you’ll be able to see a few shipwrecks and maybe even some dolphins. There is just something extra special about flying over the Wright Brother’s memorial area knowing it is the site of the birth of flight itself!
If flying isn’t your thing you can also, choose to drive to the Wright Brother’s Memorial and walk the grounds on foot or consider a visit the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island to see some cool ocean life by foot too and a ship wreck. An immersed model of the the SS Monitor is in one of their exhibits. Roanoke Island is also, home to many restaurants and shops.
If you’re a nature lover definitely visit the beautiful Elizabethan Gardens on the picturesque sound of Roanoke Island. There is plenty for the history buffs too like seeing the wonderful outdoor drama the Lost Colony , visiting Festival Park to see a replica Elizabeth II ship and historical artifacts from the area.
If you’re into fishing you can book a fishing charter right out of Oregon Inlet across from the campground! Not that you will, but if you get tired of the beach and like water fun you can drive north to check out the new H2OBX water park too while you’re in town. H2OBX has plenty to offer for the whole family from a huge lazy river, water rides the whole family can fit on, single and double tubing rides, delicious food and fun apparel shopping. Spending a day at H2OBX definitely is a great addition to any trip to the beach.
From wild horses, the birth of flight, fresh seafood and breathtaking beaches the the area surrounding the Oregon Inlet Campground doesn’t disappoint. Camping among the dunes and opening the windows to hear the ocean were a big perk of this campground and a highlight to this adventure for me. I would highly recommend a trip to the OBX!
If you enjoyed my article please share/pin it and if you know someone planning a trip to the OBX please share my article with them too☺️Thank you for reading! Find more travel posts here.
Visit a North Carolina Aquarium
and my other camping and recreational vehicle related posts:
Let’s Go Camping (Featuring Different Types of Campsites)
The Virginia Hype Girl| Virginia Foodie, Lifestyle and Travel Blogger 
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