Camp Point Campground, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Point Campground is the largest campground on Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

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Cape Point Campground - Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Point Campground is located southwest of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and offers the opportunity to walk to the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Hatteras also known as Cape Point.

The campground is open seasonally.

The park service suggests making sure you check the site you want before paying for the site. The campground can have ground saturation and potential flooding from heavy rain.

The campground is located near rolling dunes and the largest remaining tract of maritime forest on the North Carolina coast.

It is within walking distance of beach access. There is easy access for off-road vehicles to drive out on the beach within a short distance of the campground.

Number of Sites: 202

Location in the park: Southwest of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Campsite Cost: Make sure to check with the park for the most updated camping fees

Senior/Access Camping Fee: Holders of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior or Access Pass, or the Golden Age or Access pass are eligible for a 50% discount on their campsite.

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Reservations: Campsite reservations are limited to same-day reservations only. Campsites must be booked via recreation.gov.

Campground Address: 46700 Lighthouse Road. Buxton, NC 27920

Accessible Sites: There are accessible campsites, and movement around the campground can be done along the paved loop roads. Several of the comfort stations in the loops farther from the entrance within the campground are accessible.

Pets Allowed: Pets are welcome but must be on a 6' leash at all times.

Campground Reservations

Are campground Reservations Available? yes, Campsite reservations are limited to same-day reservations only. Campsites must be booked via recreation.gov.

First Come, First Served? No

Campground Amenities

There are no shaded sites in the campground.

Dump Station: Yes, seasonal

Bear Boxes: No

Flush Toilets: Yes

Payphone: Unknown

Is Wi-Fi available? No

Is cellular Phone Service Available? Yes, we had 5G service with T-Mobile in the campground.

Is camp host available on site? We did not see a camp host during our time in the campground

Is firewood available for purchase? Wood fires are not permitted in the campground. Only charcoal cooking fires are permitted in a grill, stove, or another self-contained unit.

Showers: heated outdoor showers.

Potable Water? Yes, water spigots are centrally located within the campground.

Amenities at each campsite: Each campsite is equipped with a paved parking pad, picnic table and charcoal grill.

Fire pit in the site? There is a charcoal grill in each site

Picnic Table in the site? Yes

There are no shaded sites in the campground.

Biting insects are prevalent in the summer months, therefore netting and repellent are recommended.

We use Permethrin spray on our clothes and gear before we head out camping.

RV Camping at Cape Point Campground

RV Length: 40 foot max length

Hookups: There are no hook-ups in the campground for RVs.

Generators: Quiet hours are 10:00 pm - 7:00 am. Generators must be turned off during quiet hours.

How to get to Cape Point Campground

North (From Richmond, VA)
Follow I-95 South to Richmond, VA. Take I-64 East toward Norfolk/Virginia Beach, VA. Take I-64 or I-664 to Chesapeake, VA.

From I-64, take Exit 291B to Route 168, the Chesapeake Expressway (a toll-road costing $3.00 - $6.00 each way). Once in North Carolina, Route 168 turns into US-158 East.

Follow US-158 East through Nags Head, NC to the junction of NC-12 South. Continue on NC-12 South until you reach the village of Buxton.

Signs for Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Cape Point Campground will be on your left. Follow Lighthouse Road until you reach Cape Point Campground on your right.

West (From Rocky Mount, NC)
Follow US-64 East through Tarboro, Williamston, Plymouth, Columbia, and Manteo, crossing the Alligator River Bridge and the Virginia Dare Bridge.

Keep going on US-64 East to Nags Head, NC, going over the Washington Baum Bridge, to the junction of NC-12 South. Turn right onto NC-12 South and you will be at the north entrance.

Continue on NC-12 South until you reach the village of Buxton. Signs for Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Cape Point Campground will be on your left.

Follow Lighthouse Road until you reach Cape Point Campground on your right.

South (From Florence, SC)
Take I-95 North to Wilson, NC. Take US-264 East through Greenville, NC and Washington, NC.

From Washington, NC, take US-17 to Williamston and follow US-64 East to Nags Head, NC, and the junction of NC-12 South. Continue on NC-12 South until you reach the village of Buxton.

Signs for Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Cape Point Campground will be on your left. Follow Lighthouse Road until you reach Cape Point Campground on your right.

Campground Regulations

The maximum number of people in a campsite: There is a limit of 6 persons per site

The number of cars per campsite: Maximum of 2 cars, or 1 car and 1 trailer, and a maximum of two tents.

Checkout time: 12 pm

Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are 10:00 pm - 7:00 am

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Tours

Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 Hours | 🛥️ Check Rates and Availability

Enjoy a relaxing time out on the waters of Pamlico Sound on a kayak tour to Cape Hatteras. Join a small group and paddle out to the calm waterways just around the sunset hour. Keep your eyes peeled for local birds like ospreys, pelicans, egrets, as well as sea turtles, rays, and river otters.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability

Embark on a captivating drive along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with this self-guided tour of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Drive into a rich tapestry of history, from tales of the lost colony to the legendary pirate Blackbeard, as you marvel at stunning oceanside scenery. Visit the majestic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, encounter the unique marine wonders of the Pamlico Sound, and so much more.

Photos of Campground

Lodging near Cape Hatteras

There are no National Park Lodges in Cape Hatteras NS

Check out the amazing vacation rentals and lodging near Cape Hatteras!

Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging - Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging provides laundry facilities and more. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a private beach. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi in public areas.

Hatteras Island Inn - Hatteras Island Inn provides everything you need. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.

The Inn on Pamlico Sound - Take advantage of a terrace, a garden, and a library at The Inn on Pamlico Sound. This inn is a great place to bask in the sun with a private beach, beach umbrellas, and beach towels. Enjoy onsite activities like rowing/canoeing, surfing/body boarding, and kayaking. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as laundry facilities and a bar.

Swell Motel - Swell Motel provides amenities like a playground and a gym. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.

Avon Motel - Avon Motel provides laundry facilities and more. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.

Cape Pines Motel - Take advantage of a grocery/convenience store, a terrace, and a garden at Cape Pines Motel. In addition to laundry facilities and a business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.