Stop 10 of 10  ·  NORTH CAROLINA

The Outer Banks

Barrier island beaches, wild horses, and historic lighthouses along the Atlantic.

The Outer Banks is a thin ribbon of barrier islands stretched between the Atlantic and a chain of sounds, with beach towns, wild horses, and some of the tallest lighthouses on the East Coast strung along a single coastal highway. It's one of the few places on this list where the RV can park close enough to hear the surf all night, and where four-wheel-drive beach camping is part of the local culture. If you know of an RV-friendly stop near Outer Banks that isn't listed here, please submit it and we'll get it added to the directory.

🧭 Things to See & Do

✈️ Wright Brothers National Memorial

The Kitty Hawk site of the first powered flight, with a monument atop the dune the brothers used for testing.

🗼 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The tallest brick lighthouse in the U.S., open to climb for sweeping shoreline views.

🐴 Corolla Wild Horses

A herd of wild Colonial Spanish mustangs that roam the northern beaches, best seen on a guided 4x4 tour.

🏜️ Jockey's Ridge State Park

The tallest natural sand dune system on the East Coast, popular for hang gliding lessons and sunset walks.

🚐 RV Campgrounds & Resources

🏕️ Camp Hatteras RV Resort

Full hookups

Sits between the ocean and the sound, with oceanfront sites and multiple pools.

🏕️ Oregon Inlet Campground

No hookups

NPS campground right on the beach near the inlet, popular with surf anglers.

🏕️ Cape Hatteras KOA

Full hookups

Family-friendly base near the lighthouse and Hatteras village ferry.

📘 Good to Know

Planning tip

Driving on the beach in designated areas requires a free or paid off-road vehicle permit and is limited to four-wheel-drive vehicles, not RVs directly. Keep an eye on hurricane season (June–November), which can bring evacuation orders to the islands.

  • Best season to visit: April–May, September–October

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