Oceanside Camping on the NC Coast


On our most recent trip to the Outer Banks we decided to camp our way down the coast of NC. In fact, camping is what we almost always do when traveling. I'm cheap like that ;) Moreso, I like waking up and already being outdoors.

Dune & Sand

We stayed at two of the National Park Service campgrounds while on the island, the first being the Frisco NPS Campground. There weren't many other campers there since we went during the off season, but I hear that it is usually a pretty quiet place.

To the Sea

Once you turn off the main highway you drive a few miles before reaching the entrance, it's a secluded spot. Even the sites found throughout offered a lot more privacy than the other places we stayed. There you will find small trees and scrubby brush shielding and concealing.

View from Campsite & Boardwalk to Beach

A splendid surprise was that it was oceanfront! But, we didn't choose a site with direct access because we wanted to see more of the view so we went higher up. The view was really spectacular, it took my breath away.....or maybe that was the 25mph winds?! Can't remember :)

As the sun sets

Doesn't matter. We ended our day barefoot on the beach watching the sun go down behind the dunes.


41 comments:

  1. this is why I want to move there....so gorgeous. just stunning shot. love the lines in the sand where pebbles or whatnot are driven by the wind and how it makes zen-like patterns.

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  2. Oh now I want to go to NC! Your photos are gorgeous!

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  3. I now have this need to go to the NC Coast. I never knew I would need to do that until now.

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  4. I always love camping! It's been years since I last camped out...and I so enjoyed your photos!

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  5. wooow! Char we'll move there With you lol. What a gorgeous place.
    Yes I've been to NC and love it there.

    Great photo's!!

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  6. Wonderful shots - bring on the ocean! Love it!

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  7. Absolutely beautiful. I had no idea the NC coast was like that. The sand is truly special there.

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  8. Oh seaside!! how lucky!
    I love the last picture Jess. I can imagine the tranquility hearing the waves crushes to the sea, the breeze of wind, the smell of sea water and the squealing of seagull. Perfect!

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  9. How beautiful and so serene!! There is just something about being near the ocean!!

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  10. GORGEOUS! I love camping too! I writing the name of that campsite down. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Camping is the way to go! We do a lot of camping ourselves - the feeling of being in the midst of nature is just fabulous. Great photos.

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  12. Oh that is exactly what I enjoy,... being on the water, whether it's the ocean or a lake or river. That would be a long tow for me but I think I'll add a print out of this post to me campgrounds folder. I spend time camping on the St.Lawrence River, but ocean would be fantastic!

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  13. thank you...i have been waiting for these...so stunning

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  14. these pictures are stunning thank you for sharing!

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  15. was there a reason you didn't ask any of us to come with you? ahhhh, a beach.

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  16. I've always wanted to visit the outer banks. I've never been to the beaches on the southeast coast. You took some amazing photos!

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  17. I love the NC Coast. We used to live about an hour away from it. now we live an hour away from the NC Mountains. What a great state!! The pictures are lovely.

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  18. Love the top sand shot. Fantastic!

    And I also love that we posted pics from our recent camping trips. :)

    Obviously, I need to come camping in North Carolina.

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  19. Uh, that was mighty windy, but the view so spectacular.

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  20. Just beautiful! I love how the birds lined up for you in that last one!

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  21. Oh wow! That's just what I need right now. More pics so I live vicariously through you. ;)

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  22. so gorgeous. love the ripples in the sand...beautiful!

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  23. Wow! You're making my heart ache! I love Hatteras Island! Until recently, Hatteras was a yearly event! Logan(my toddler) finally got his toes in the sand for the first time last summer when we went home for a week. Great pictures!

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  24. how beautiful--reading your post was a great little virtual vacation for me!

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  25. I'm planning a trip there!
    You lucky girl.
    I can't wait, now that I've seen your photos. Beautiful!

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  26. We know the Cape Hatteras National Seashore well! From the Ridge-and-Valley motif of the central Appalachians, it's a favorite vacation spot for us. I identify with your photo compositions and "what you see" -- done quite similar shots myself. Thanks!

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  27. Beautiful pictures and a beautiful location to camp :-) I haven't been camping since I was a teenager, but if I could find a place to camp like this one, I'd be there in a second!!

    Kelly @ DesignTies

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  28. We love the OBX, too! And what a great time of years to camp down at Frisco--before the crowds come, although it's never as crowded as up by Nags Head. If I could find a way to make it work, I'd live there all year 'round!

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  29. I came over from Shutter Sisters. Oh how I miss the NC coast! Beautiful pictures. Thanks for posting!

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  30. Best way to end my long day. :)

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  31. I love it when you take shot of your outings and adventures.

    They are my favourite kind.

    It looks like a great place to relax and unwind.

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  32. gosh that was a nice trip... for me this morning. beautiful, relaxing & smelling the ocean
    wonderful images

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  33. You make me ache for a vacation, camping, the beach and the sea...

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  34. the boardwalk shot and the last shot are amazing!

    definitely going to have to visit NC coast some day.

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  35. just beautiful as always. I love that you love nature. Camping sounds fun...well maybe it would be without the 3 kids. can you imagine all that sand and camping with 3 kids!

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  36. these are fabulous. i am ready to take off camping NOW. i love beach camping but have never been to the Outer Banks. we used to go to Hunting Island quite a bit and loved it. I'm ready to check out these National Parks.

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  37. Wow, every one of those photos is beautiful! I especially like the path up the hill with the blue, blue sky above. Looks like so much fun.

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