North Carolina
Discover the best dining, lodging, experiences, beaches, and fishing across North Carolina's Outer Banks, from Corolla to Ocracoke.
Closure of Billy Mitchell Airport for Repaving Project
The Billy Mitchell Airport (HSE) is closed to accommodate a runway pavement rehabilitation project. The project will provide full resurfacing of paved areas, new reflective paint, and new tie-downs and anchors, improving visitor safety and enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Project Safety Closure in Place Near Southernmost Groin in Buxton
Public access is closed for 300 feet north and south of a groin repair project site in Buxton, as well as the adjacent ocean area to the east. Surfers, swimmers, and all other recreationists should stay at least 300 feet from the southernmost groin area for safety purposes.
Everything you need for your perfect Outer Banks trip, all in one place.
Real-time conditions at Cape Hatteras National Seashore
A few things to sort out before you go — then browse every campground, RV park, and backcountry option we track.
Browse CampingPopular sites can book out months ahead, especially summer weekends.
Some campgrounds close or reduce services outside peak season.
Restrictions change with conditions — check current status before you go.
Not every site has potable water — some require you to bring your own.
The latest Outer Banks travel guides and updates from our newsroom.
Every real, currently-live Outer Banks webcam, from the Wright Memorial Bridge to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse — bridge traffic, surf conditions, and storm tracking before you drive in.
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The Kill Devil Hills restaurants that have survived decades of hurricane seasons and off-season rent, not the ones with the loudest sign on the Beach Road.
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The Corolla Wild Horse Fund protects a herd that has lived past the end of the pavement since 1996. Here's where the herd roams, the 50-foot law, and how to actually see them.
Read Article →Handpicked favorites from up and down the Outer Banks.
A quiet soundside pocket of Kill Devil Hills, away from the Beach Road crowds
A week-long stay on Kitty Hawk's quieter stretch of the Beach Road
Casual Croatan Highway fare in Kitty Hawk, open five days a week for lunch through early dinner
The maritime forest holding Hatteras Island's dunes and drinking water together
Ramp 34: off-road beach access north of Avon, with one of the longest walks to the sand on Hatteras Island
Tips and insights for making the most of your time on the Outer Banks.
The Outer Banks has a distinct season: summer (June-August) is peak beach season, warm and busy. Hurricane season runs June through November, peaking August-October - most years pass without a direct hit, but it's worth watching the forecast during that window. Spring and fall offer milder weather and thinner crowds, widely considered the best all-around time to visit. Winter is quiet, cool, and popular with anglers and anyone chasing an empty beach.
View forecast →The Outer Banks is a chain of barrier islands off the North Carolina coast, reached via US-158 or US-64 from the mainland. The core beach towns (Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head) sit close together on paved NC-12; Hatteras Island's villages string out further south along the same highway. Ocracoke Island is reachable only by ferry - free from Hatteras village, or a longer paid crossing from the mainland at Cedar Island or Swan Quarter.
Spring and fall bring the best balance of good weather and manageable crowds - book lodging early for these shoulder-season weeks, since locals know them well too. Summer is the busiest and most reliably warm stretch, ideal if crowds don't bother you. If you want the islands to yourself, winter is quiet and popular with anglers, though some seasonal businesses close for the off-season.
Everything you need to know before you go
Late spring and early fall bring warm water with thinner crowds. Summer is peak season with the warmest water. Winter is quiet with dramatic storm-watching, but cold water and many seasonal businesses closed.
A week is typical for a beach vacation covering multiple villages like Nags Head, Hatteras, and Ocracoke. A shorter 2–3 day trip can focus on a single lighthouse or village area.
There's no entrance fee for the seashore itself. Some day-use areas and campgrounds charge separately.
A free beach driving permit is required for the designated Off-Road Vehicle routes. No permit is needed for regular beach access.
Highway 12 is the only road connecting the villages. Reaching Ocracoke Island requires a ferry — free from Hatteras, paid from the mainland.
Reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for shell-strewn beaches, and insect repellent for calmer months. A windbreaker helps even in summer, since ocean breezes are near-constant.
Vacation home rentals are the dominant lodging style along most of the coast. Hotels cluster in Nags Head/Kill Devil Hills and the Hatteras/Ocracoke villages.