🏕 Campground
Ocracoke Campground (Cape Hatteras NS)
About This Permit
Ocracoke Campground sits within yards of the Atlantic on Ocracoke Island — accessible only by ferry — making it one of the most genuinely isolated coastal camping experiences on the East Coast. The island's Outer Banks location provides 16 miles of undeveloped beach, the historic Ocracoke Village, and the wild Banker pony herd.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Ocracoke Campground?
Only by ferry. The NPS runs a free ferry from Hatteras (45 minutes; no reservation, first-come loading). Paid ferries run from Cedar Island and Swan Quarter with vehicle reservations through NCDOT Ferry Division. Budget 1–3 hours depending on origin.
What is there to do on Ocracoke Island?
Ocracoke Village (2 miles from the campground) has restaurants, a lighthouse, and shops. Silver Lake harbor is where Blackbeard was reportedly killed in 1718. The beach is wide, undeveloped, and often nearly empty outside peak summer.
Is Ocracoke suitable for RVs?
Self-contained RVs can use Ocracoke, but ferry capacity limits vehicle length — typically no vehicles over 40 feet on the free Hatteras ferry. Confirm vehicle length restrictions with NCDOT ferry before booking.
Key Facts
- State
- NC
- Season
- Year-round (extended to year-round as of 2020–2021)
- Sites
- 136 sites (tent and self-contained RV; no hookups)
- Access
- Ocracoke Island, NC — accessible only by ferry from Cedar Island, Swan Quarter, or Hatteras
- Reservation Window
- Reservations on recreation.gov; opens 6 months in advance at 8:00am ET on the 1st of the month
- Difficulty to reserve
- 3/5(Competitive)
Get an SMS the moment a cancellation opens — we scan every 60 seconds.
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