For most people, oceanside vacations bring states like Florida and California to mind. However, the Eastern Seaboard — more specifically the North Carolina Coast — has beautiful shorelines, fun activities, and rich historic cities to visit. Next time you are planning to RV along the coast, consider visiting these RV resorts and campgrounds in NC. This week-long route down the Carolina Coast is filled with fun and relaxation for the whole family!
300 mile RV route down the NC Coast Photo: Google Maps
Coinjock, NC
Our coastal Carolina RV trip starts at one of the newest campgrounds in NC Outer Banks West KOA/Currituck Sound. This waterfront campground is coming to Coinjock, North Carolina in spring of 2020! This coastal retreat is an outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise, located just 30 minutes from the Outer Banks, and has stunning views of the Currituck Sound. This waterfront KOA has over a half-mile of shoreline, so there will be tons of fun on the water. Guests will be able to fish from five onsite fishing piers, launch a boat from the campground’s two ramps, or just enjoy the view of the Currituck Sound. The grand opening weekend begins Friday, June, 5th 2020 and should be fun for the whole family with special events and games.
While visiting the Currituck Sound area, take advantage of the Currituck Ferry, which takes you across the sound to Knotts Island. It runs 365 days a week and accommodates motorcycles and any size car, trailer or recreational vehicle that can operate on the highway. Check their site here for daily schedules and prices.
Once beachside, be sure to leave ample time to enjoy the great outdoors in this area. At 30 miles long and nearly 4 miles wide, the Currituck Sound is one of the most popular waterways for kayakers and stand up paddleboarders in the Outer Banks. Take a sunset kayak tour of the sound or visit the Currituck Sound Preserve and stroll the elevated boardwalks while enjoying the spectacular sunset over the sound. You can’t miss the 158′ foot tall Currituck Beach Lighthouse. It’s one of the most distinctive of the OBX lighthouses, thanks to its unpainted red brick exterior. Built in 1875, the tower is open for seasonal climbing, and an adjacent museum and a cute little gift shop.
Currituck Lighthouse Photo: Alaina Elliott
Kill Devil Hills, NC
Just 35 miles down US 158 E our next stop is the historic city of Kill Devil Hills, NC, made famous by the first airplane flight by the Wright Brothers in the early 1900s. This small town in the central Outer Banks gives you a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean, boutique shopping and of course, the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
This granite memorial is impossible to miss, as it towers over the Kill Devil Hills landscape. Spend the day exploring the grounds and see reproductions of the brothers’ 1903 camp buildings, stand at the place where Wilbur and Orville Wright first took to the air in their 1903 flyer, and climb Big Kill Devil Hill to see the nation’s monument commemorating the brothers’ historic achievement. The Wright Brothers Memorial is open daily from 9-5 pm (except Dec. 25th) and is a must-see while visiting the Outer Banks of NC.
Wright Brothers Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, NC Photo: Alaina Elliott
Stay at OBX Campground while in Kill Devil Hills, NC. This quaint campground in NC is just minutes from the beach, the Wright Brothers Memorial Park and many other Outer Banks activities.
Rodanthe, NC
Continue South about 1hr and you’ve made it to our next stop and one of the most beautiful and quiet parts of the Carolina Coast, Rodanthe, NC. Love both the sound side and beachside of the Carolina coast? No problem! Camp Hatteras RV Resort is the only Oceanfront to Soundfront RV Resort and campground on the Outer Banks of NC. Camp Hatteras is the perfect place to hook up and relax. This world-class RV resort on the NC coast boasts 3 pools to choose from including an indoor heated pool. Bring the whole family and enjoy the daily planned activities and outdoor amenities.
Hatteras Island is a vacationer’s dream. It has wide beaches, huge sand dunes, crystal clear water, an abundance of fishing opportunities and of course, world-famous kiteboarding and windsurfing spots. Tourists like the tranquility here, the unique culture, and the wave-riding currents of the island.
While in Hatteras, don’t miss Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the nearby city of Buxton, NC. Climbing the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a unique experience (and 257 steps!) The climb is self-paced and provides views from the tallest brick lighthouse in North America. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open seasonally. Climbing times are 9 am to 4:30 pm daily. Tickets are about $8 for adults and $4 for seniors and children.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, NC is the tallest brick lighthouse in U.S. Photo: Outerbanks.org
While in Hatteras, don’t miss Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the nearby city of Buxton, NC. Climbing the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a unique experience (and 257 steps!) The climb is self-paced and provides views from the tallest brick lighthouse in North America. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open seasonally. Climbing times are 9 am to 4:30 pm daily. Tickets are about $8 for adults and $4 for seniors and children.
New Bern, NC
Our next stop is about 3.5 hrs. southwest, back on the mainland coast of NC. Drive along the scenic shoreline along the Pamlico Sound on 264 W and you will reach New Bern KOA. Nestled on the peaceful banks of the Neuse River and minutes from historic downtown New Bern, this quiet campground in NC is the perfect setting for a peaceful retreat. Enjoy a day of fishing or watch a beautiful sunset from the 100-foot pier. For water sports, they offer kayaks, paddleboards, and a catch and release fishing pond. Not to mention all the activities for the kids here, including a gem mining station, bounce pad and playground!
Once you’re unhooked and rested, stroll through town and browse the many antique shops and boutiques in North Carolina’s second-oldest city. Step into the past at Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens, the former state capitol, historically regarded as the most beautiful public building in Colonial America.
Wilmington, NC
A short 2 hr drive down US 17 South takes us to our southernmost city along the North Carolina coast, Wilmington, NC. is centrally located between downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. This campground in NC has everything your family needs to enjoy their stay- from a sparkling swimming pool and cozy game room to a stocked camping store and even a playground for your pets.
Wilmington, NC is a port city in North Carolina. It’s known as a gateway to Cape Fear Coast beaches like Wrightsville, with its strong surf, and Carolina, with its long boardwalk. Part of downtown’s Historic District, the Riverwalk is lined with restaurants, galleries and shops. It runs along the Cape Fear River, where the Battleship North Carolina is moored.
The Battleship North Carolina, stern side. Photo: Battleshipnc.com
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is open every day of the year (hours vary seasonally) and offers an incredible experience for the whole family. Visit the Battleship and walk her decks. Take a guided tour and envision the daily life and fierce combat her crew faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Step back in time and let history come alive through the crews’ stories. Imagine yourself steering the ship, starting her engines or even firing the guns.
The next time you are planning your beach vacation, make sure that the North Carolina coast is on your list of places to explore. Its history is deeply intertwined with the foundation of the United States, the indigenous people who called these lands home before then, and even the technology that enabled humanity to take to the skies. This mix of history and prehistory combined with the natural rugged beauty of the beautiful Atlantic coast should be on your list for anyone who wants to add some adventure to their beach RV camping vacation.
