Cape Point Campground is the largest campground on Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
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: $20
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.
Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.
The park pass covers everyone in the car for per vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
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
35° 14' 10.3499" N
75° 55' 21.0101" W
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.
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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
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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.
Additional National Park Resources
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Moores Creek National Battlefield
Check out all of the National Parks in North Carolina along with neighboring National Parks in Georgia, National Parks in South Carolina, Tennessee National Parks, and Virginia National Parks
Check out all of the National Seashores managed by the NPS
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