Cape Point Campground
Cape Point Campground sites have a shortened reservation window. Due to the ground saturation and potential for flooding we encourage you to check the sites prior to paying. Cape Point Campground is centrally located to all of the attractions on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The campground puts you within walking distance of arguably the best fishing and surfing on the east coast.
More like this: reservable in North Carolina · big rigs in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 151 |
| Tent-only | 49 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
200 sites in 11 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A001 | A | Standard | 46 | Paved | 6 / 2 | ||
| A002 | A | Standard | 44 | Paved | 6 / 2 | ||
| A003 | A | Standard | 46 | Paved | 6 / 2 | ||
| A004 | A | Standard | 46 | Paved | 6 / 2 | ||
| A005 | A | Standard | 45 | Paved | 6 / 2 | ||
| A006 | A | Standard | 46 | Paved | 6 / 2 | ||
| A007 | A | Standard | 47 | Paved | 6 / 2 | ||
| A008 | A | Standard | 46 | Paved | 6 / 2 | ||
| A009 | A | Standard | 46 | Paved | 6 / 2 | ||
| A011 | A | Standard | 45 | Paved | 6 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Cancellation Fee: A service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation. |
| Accessibility | Sites G006, J012, J014 are listed accessible |
Cape Point Campground is the largest campground on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Each campsite is equipped with a paved parking pad, picnic table and charcoal grill. Rows D, E, and F are reserved for tent camping only. There are no hook-ups in the campground for RVs. Four sets of restrooms and outdoor shower facilities are dispersed evenly throughout the campground. Water spigots providing potable water are readily available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Buxton, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.2362° N, 75.9225° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump Station ↗ | 7.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Tradewinds Tackle Shop ↗ | 9.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
NC Camping | Hatteras - Part 1 - Cape Point Campground
Worth a stop
The iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is located just north of Cape Point Campground on Lighthouse Road next to the Visitor Center. Standing at 198 feet, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. It has undoubtedly saved the lives of many mariners navigating around the treacherous Diamond Shoals. The Museum of the Sea is also located near the Visitor Center within the shadow of the lighthouse. The museum's operating hours vary with the season. Buxton Beach is a family friendly swimming destination staffed with lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It is a short walk or bike ride from the campground. Parking is available at the old lighthouse site adjacent to the current location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
- 9.1 miSilver Lake Marina ↗Boat launch
- 13.2 miHatteras Island Weather Bureau Station ↗Visitor center
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Ocracoke Light StationBuilding · Ocracoke · 9.5 mi
- Hatteras Weather Bureau StationBuilding · Hatteras · 13.2 mi
- Ellsworth and Lovie Ballance HouseBuilding · Hatteras · 13.3 mi
Natural features
The campground is nestled between rolling dunes to the south and the largest remaining tract of maritime forest on the North Carolina coast to the north. The environment is naturally suited to accommodate many bird and mammal species. A large heard of white tail deer frequent the area.
Recreation
A short walk through the dunes leads you to the beach at the infamous Cape Hatteras. Many trophy fish have been landed from the point, and it has been a surfing destination for decades. If you prefer to drive to the beach you can access one of the many off-road vehicle ramps within a short distance of the campground. Exploration of the barrier islands beyond their beaches is possible on a hike through the nearby maritime forest. The Buxton Woods Trail is a 3/4 mile loop that can be accessed just north of the campground at the Buxton Woods Picnic Area on Lighthouse Road.
Guidebooks for North Carolina
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains-To-Sea TrailFriends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Jim Grode, 2020Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cape Point Campground?
Sites at Cape Point Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cape Point Campground?
Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Cancellation Fee: A service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cape Point Campground?
Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Cape Point Campground have?
202 sites, including 151 standard sites without power and 49 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cape Point Campground?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Cape Point Campground?
Four sets of restrooms and outdoor shower facilities are dispersed evenly throughout the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cape Point Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cape Point Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Cape Point Campground?
Sites G006, J012, and J014 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Cape Point Campground?
A short walk through the dunes leads you to the beach at the infamous Cape Hatteras. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cape Point Campground?
Buxton, North Carolina. The iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is located just north of Cape Point Campground on Lighthouse Road next to the Visitor Center.
Source: Getting there
What if Cape Point Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Ocracoke Campground (7.8 mi), Frisco Campground (17.7 mi), and North Core Banks - Beach Camping (30 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Cape Point Campground in?
Cape Point Campground is a Cape Hatteras National Seashore campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Cape Hatteras National Seashore