My wife and I are heading to the east coast this summer in our little 22ft. class B+. We love to do birding and North Carolina looks to have some wonsderful areas to pursue this passion. We are concerned about the roads on the outer banks and whether or not we can pass those roads and also if we can utilize the ferries.
Can anyone give us some pointers about this area? Curious about roads, ferries, and good places to camp (with or without hookups).
You should not have any problems on the roads or ferries.
Check out the National Parks (no hookups)-- other campgrounds
Camp Hatteras
Hatteras KOA
There are a couple of others --check out visitnc website.
Also there are campground review sites that could help you.
As noted, no problems with roads (Hwy 12 is two lane but usually in good condition)or ferries just be sure to obey the posted speed limits especially on Ocracoke. Nags Head Woods, Pea Island NWA and Buxton Woods are some areas you might want to check out for birds. I'd go with the Park Service campgrounds if you don't need hookups - if you're visiting over Memorial Day, Independence Day or Labor Day you might want to get a reservation unless you're arriving mid-week. Ocracoke is the only NPS campground that accepts reservations. Hope you enjoy your visit with us.
Roads are paved, you'll have no problems with them. There are opportunities for off-road/beach driving but that has nothing to do with the road network. The Ferries are RV freindly and handle stuff much larger than your Class-B.
There are no campgrounds of any significance in Kitty Hawk - Nags Head area, best bet is to plan on Cape Hatteras (Rodanthe-Salvo-Waves area) for a base operating area...you'll be about half hour south of Nags Head, and about 45 minutes north of the Ocracoke ferry...
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Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on OBX is supreme for bird watching. We love Camp Hatteras-pricey but worth it. Haven't been there but Ocean Waves gets great reviews, is less expensive, but I think has less amenities. If amenities aren't an issue it's a good way to save some money of CH and the KOA.
you will love the area, me and my wife went there last summer, stayed at camp hatteras, paved roads and sites, but mostly dirt for yards closest to the water, there are other sites that have grass. you won't have any problems on the (1) main road, its all paved, we have a 35ft class a, as far as the ferries go, no problem there either, we took the one from the end of the banks to ocracoke island and the one from ocracoke island back to the main land, not a problem, they get semi's on those things, just make sure you get reservations for the one from ocracoke to the main land, thats needed, the one from the end of the banks to ocracoke leaves every 30 minutes and its free, only takes about 45 minutes to get there, just look up the north carolina ferry system on the net and you can get a brochure on them, had a great time there, you should have no problem with anything, have a great time, we sure did
Oceans waves is a great campground. Clean and trees. The KOA has no trees and you sit in the sun. My wife and I stayed at ocean waves last april and had a great week there. We even met some campers at ocean waves who live 10 miles from our home while we were there...lol. No matter where you go, you aren't very far from home. Enjoy the outer banks, we did....
Pea Island NR is a birding hot spot. They have a nice trail several miles long with observation towers to watch the birds. Plenty of bugs to go around so be sure and wear the lite weight long sleeves and pants.
Campgrounds, Oregon Inlet, Hatteras, Frisco and Ocracoke are all National Parks CG's
Private CG's are Cape Hatteras KOA, Camp Hatteras, Ocean Waves, Frisco Woods.
We have stayed at Camp Hatteras, Ocean Wvaes and Frisco Woods, all are very nice.
The ferry from Hatteras to Ocrakoke is free, the Swan Quaters or Cedar Island ferries at the South end of Ocracoke you have to pay for.
Lots of things to do...
Make reservations now, and enjoy your trip.
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I know you said you are going to the Outer Banks (I can't blame you, it is our favorite place), but thought this link to the Alabama Birding Trails may be of interest to you en route.