Scattered along the 130-mile stretch of barrier islands, the Outer Banks features a plethora of public and private campgrounds. Budget-conscious families will find camping in the Outer Banks offers all the benefits of the region, without breaking the budget.
How far is Hatteras Sands campground from the beach?
Our resort features many amenities: 5 minutes from the Beach. 7/10 of a mile and 4WD accessible beaches. Over 60 paved RV sites and tent sites available.
Can you sleep on the beach in Hatteras?
There are several beaches in North Carolina that you can camp on, including Surf City and Cape Hatteras as top of the list. North Carolina is located on the East coast. It boasts over 320 miles of beautiful Atlantic island beaches and each has its unique charm and attractions.
Are beach tents allowed in the Outer Banks?
Canopies and Day Tents These items can obstruct pedestrian or traffic movement during the day. Unattended items that have been removed will not be returned. Duck – Canopies, umbrellas, and tents cannot be left on the beach overnight, and must be removed by 7pm. Tent and canopy size is limited to 12 by 12 feet.
Do you have to take a ferry to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse?
You can get to Hatteras Island by car, boat or small plane. The vast majority of visitors arrive by car from the north on N.C. Highway 12. Other car travelers arrive on the ferry from the southwest via Ocracoke Island.
Can you swim in the Outer Banks?
At the beach, it seems like Outer Banks swimming is all around between the ocean, sounds and swimming pools. On days when the ocean is too rough for swimming (and there will be many of those days), it’s not too hard to find calmer areas that swimmers of all strengths can enjoy.
Can you swim in Hatteras?
There are four beach locations along Cape Hatteras National Seashore that are staffed with lifeguards during summer months. The safest way to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean is at a lifeguarded beach. Lifeguards can answer questions on swimming safety and weather conditions.
Can you swim at Hatteras Island?
Unless you have a private pool at your hotel or vacation rental, swimming on Hatteras Island is limited to the open water sound and ocean. And that’s fine for most of the year. Swimming at the Cape Hatteras beaches is great in the summer and fall because the water is very warm.
How long is the ferry ride to Hatteras?
with both car and passenger ferry options. From Highway 12, located along the Outer Banks, the Hatteras Ferry crossing is free and takes about one hour. If you’re making a day trip to Ocracoke, plan to arrive at the Hatteras Ferry landing as early as possible since it operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Can you drink alcohol on Hatteras beach?
Use caution when bringing pets to the beach midday in the summer, as the hot sand can damage tender paws. ATVs – ATVs are not permitted on any Hatteras Island beach, both on the Pamlico Soundside and the Atlantic Oceanside. Alcohol – On Hatteras Island, beer and wine are both permitted on the beaches.
Can you drive on the beach at night at Cape Hatteras?
To protect nesting sea turtles, night driving is not allowed on any Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches between May 1 and September 14. From November 16 to April 30, ORV routes are open to night driving 24 hours a day with a valid ORV permit. For the current status of Seashore ramp and routes, click here.
Can you build a fire on the beach in Outer Banks?
Outer Banks beach bonfires are allowed, with regulations, on beaches in Nags Head and along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. They are NEVER allowed in Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills.
Can you drink on Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
Are alcoholic beverages allowed at the seashore? North Carolina law does not permit spirituous liquors (distilled liquors, whiskey, vodka, etc.) or fortified wines to be consumed in public. The legal NC drinking age is 21. Open containers of alcohol are not permitted in any motor vehicle.
How long is the ferry ride from Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke?
Three vehicle ferries bring cars, trucks, RVs, motorcycles and bicycles to Ocracoke Island. The free Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry offers multiple trips daily year-round, and the crossing takes 60 minutes.
Why can’t you climb Ocracoke lighthouse?
Why isn’t the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse open for climbing? The Ocracoke Island lighthouse is not open for climbing due to safety concerns of the old structure, and particularly its spiral staircase. At nearly 200 years old, the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse in the state.
Is Ocracoke Island worth it?
There aren’t any condos, homes, or apartments along the ocean shoreline, so the natural beauty is second to none. This is about as close as you will get to spending time on a deserted island, and it’s simply fantastic. It’s just you, your family, and the sound of waves lapping the seashore.
What time is best to leave for Outer Banks?
The best time to drive the Outer Banks is early in the morning or late in the evening when the roads are less crowded. Plan your route ahead of time. There are several different routes to choose from, so be sure to plan out which ones you want to take before hitting the road. Pack a picnic.
Do they use phones in Outer Banks?
Didn’t catch them all while watching because you were too busy admiring John B (Chase Stokes)? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Sorry, this content is not available in your location. No one uses cell phones in the show.
Can you drink alcohol while driving a boat in NC?
North Carolina law prohibits operating a motorboat or vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The state’s boating under the influence (BUI) laws cover not only motorized boats, but also water skis, surfboards, nonmotorized vessels (such as a sailboat or paddleboat), and other similar devices.
What is the red flag warning at the Outer Banks?
Beach Warning Flags During dangerous surf conditions, red “No Swimming” flags fly at beach entrances. Whenever red flags are flying, swimming is prohibited. At such times, ocean conditions have been determined to be unsafe and swimmers are at serious risk of injury or death if they enter the water.
Why is Outer Banks water so cold?
While OBX water temperature by month varies, the average water temperature in the Outer Banks is 63 degrees Fahrenheit. Why is Outer Banks water cold? Outer Banks water is cold because southwest winds push warm water up to the surface of the Atlantic Ocean and away from the shore.
Does it get cold in the Outer Banks?
The “off” season brings the Outer Banks winter weather. Winters on the Banks are usually mild with temperatures averaging in the low to mid 50’s. Rarely, we do see an inch or two snow and cold weather into the 30’s. The Outer Banks in the winter is the polar opposite of summer.
Are there alligators on Hatteras Island?
There are no alligators in the sound, however there are legendary, and rarely seen, alligators in Buxton Woods. There are also more than 350 species of birds on Hatteras Island, which are typically concentrated along the 13-mile-long Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, just north of Rodanthe.
Are there snakes in Cape Hatteras?
The one we see the most often is the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), also known as the canebrake rattlesnake.
Does Hatteras have a boardwalk?
On Hatteras Island, boardwalks are simple features that allow you to get a better look at nature. You won’t find the carnival-esque boardwalks of other beach towns.
How deep is the Hatteras inlet?
Channel depth is currently 3-4 feet. When it was initially dredged after Thanksgiving, it was about 100-150 feet deep and 6-7 feet deep. But conditions in the inlet go beyond the channel being dangerous for charter and commercial fishing boat traffic.
Can you catch sharks in the Outer Banks?
The largest shark ever caught in the Outer Banks was a 14-foot tiger shark: In 1984, a fisherman caught a massive 14-foot tiger shark off the coast of Nags Head in the Outer Banks.
Why is Cape Hatteras famous?
Cape Hatteras has long been known to mariners as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Its fame and reputation, however, come not from the cape itself, but from the succession of ever-shifting underwater sandbars, known collectively as Diamond Shoals, that extend seaward to the very edge of the Gulf Stream.