Beach Camping? - Cheap Vacations

[ohkus]

Hello All,

One of my goals this year is to go have a cheap vacation by driving somewhere and camping on the beach for a week. I want to get away from computers, cell phones, electricity, etc. I plan on taking my car, a cooler, a tent/sleeping bag and a hammock. If anyone has done this or has some suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. It has to be at the beach because well I love the beach and being in Missouri I don't get to see it to often, I don't care about Gulf/East/West.

 

[Gerry]

The Outer Banks of North Carolina would be destination number one!

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is perhaps the last stretch of undeveloped coastal land anywhere.

There are plenty of campsites all along the outer banks on down to Ocracoke Island.

We are talking about Roanoke Island, home of The Lost Colony, up to Corolla where descendants of Spanish Mustangs roam and run free, on down to Pea Island and Cape Hatteras known as the Atlantic Graveyard. Then travel down to Ocracoke Island, home of Blackbeard's hideaway.

There are State campgrounds all along this stretch. Some of the most beautiful unspoiled dunes and scenery you did not know existed.

Campgrounds have water, bathhouse, etc. but for the most part are very basic.

The entire stretch is a history lesson of lost ships, lost colonies, ship wrecks, Civil War Naval Battles, World War Two German U-boat's shooting gallery, and some of the best ocean fishing in the world, surf fishing or charter to the Gulf Stream.

The beaches of Ocracoke Island were ranked as the Number One beaches in the US a couple of years ago, first time one not in Florida or Hawaii won the honors.

Glad I could be your guide.

Oh, and the Ghost Stories are awesome out here.

Did I forget home of First Flight?

Yup, I did. Orville and Wilbur Wright sure picked a great spot in 1903 to launch their Wright Flyer.

And right next to this spot is Jockey's Ridge, the largest sand dune on the east coast.

 

[ohkus]

Do you have any specific campground you could recommend?

 

[Gerry]

There are two that are run by the National Park Service.

One is at the Oregon Inlet area which is just south of Nags Head and just to this side of the Oregon Inlet bridge. From this campground you will basically be across from Bodie Island Light house and easily accessable to the entire stretch of the Outer Banks for some day trips North to Corolla/Carova Lighthouse, Duck, Kill Devils Hill, Nags Head, Roanoke Island. Everything you want or need will be a few mile trip up the road.

The next one would be on Ocracoke Island. This is less typically less crowded. There are a few stores on the Island but not much. Some of the greatest eating you'll ever try. Outer Bankers have a language all to their own which is a mix of generations of shipwrecked sailors. Great kite flying, kayaking, surf fishing, etc all along the Outer Banks and exceptionally good on Ocracoke. If you have a bicycle, this is an awesome place to ride. Straight flat roads. There are a total of four lighthouses along this stretch, with the Cape Hatteras Light being the most famous. The others are Corolla, Bodie, and Ocracoke.

This was Edward Teache's hideaway, better known as Blackbeard. This area, all of it, is so rich in history, folklore, and tales that are centuries old.

Man, I have no desire to go to any other beaches.

 

[ohkus]

Ya I was just reading on your second suggestions:

http://www.nps.gov/caha
http://away.com/tripideas/cape-hatteras-national-seashore-camping-300957.html

Looks quite nice and very reasonable!!!

 

[Gerry]

The Oracoke - Hatteras Ferry is free.

It is about a 45 minute ride.

Think slow ferry following dredged route. It is not a straight shot across and they more or less follow the contour of shore. There is one very rough part and that is the inlet waterway. It is not at all uncommon for porpoises to follow along or to migrate into the sounds as this is incredible fishing grounds.

Ocracoke Beach and parts of Hatteras are incredible. I can not think of anywhere else that there are pristine unspoiled beaches and habitat and you won't see another person for miles.

A great time to go is early May before Memorial Day and late September after Labor Day and usually the entire month of October.

Let me know if you are seriously thinking of going. I have perhaps 2-4 books that I was going to donate to goodwill on the Outer Banks. Ghost Stories and such. Written by local author David Stick. They are yours at no charge, just pay for shipping - media mail.

This is truly a fascinating place and as you mentioned, very reasonable in terms of cost. If you want a place to escape and get lost in your own thoughts, welcome to the Outer Banks.

And if you don't like the weather just wait a minute and it will change. (famous outer bank saying).

If you kayak or ever thought about kayaking, this is the place as well.

The sounds are inlet water ways and usually calmer than the ocean. But I have seen them just as fierce. Got caught in a squall once and the swells were 6-8 feet. I never thought I could get seasick in a kayak. I was very concerned about my wife but she was loving it and having a blast.

There are rental shops all over the outer banks and Ocracoke Island for kayaks and such. Bikes too but if you have one bring it. The bikes are just the standard one speed - all you can muster.

 

[BidNo]

Sounds like a great getaway! You may want to spend some time at gorp.com; certainly one of the best camping website. It's been a while but I still have great memories of camping on Padre Island (Texas)

 

[nascar59]

there are many great places here in Florida.check out myflorida.com Iam sure you will find places woth the journey.happy camping!!!!!!!!!