In February 2023, we realized we had some extra time before starting our first Camp Host position. So, we pulled out a map and decided on the Outer Banks. Wow! It quickly became one of my absolute favorite places to visit! It’s definitely on my short list of destinations I can’t wait to return to!
On our first night, we stayed at The Refuge on Roanoke Island—a charming, no-frills park right on the water.
The next day, we headed to Kitty Hawk. We were definitely caught off guard! It was nothing like we had imagined, and instead of a quiet, quaint spot, we found a bustling city!
We rarely make reservations in advance, so we spent the day driving around and checking out different campgrounds. Most didn’t impress us much, so we decided to head south a bit to the Oregon Inlet Campground on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. And wow, what a fantastic spot! We were just steps from the beach, and it felt wonderfully remote. It was the perfect place to set up camp and take some time to explore the area.
At the top of our list was seeing wild horses. We made the drive up to Corolla, braving the sandy roads and driving out onto the beach—nervously hoping we wouldn’t get stuck (especially since we had a memorable experience getting stuck on a beach in Oregon just six months earlier). Thankfully, we didn’t get stuck, but unfortunately, we didn’t spot any wild horses either. However, we did happen upon the stunning Currituck Beach Lighthouse. We arrived just before closing, so we couldn’t go inside, but the grounds were absolutely beautiful. It was a great surprise during our adventure!
We drove back to the Oregon Inlet campground and spent the rest of the day enjoying the stunning beach. The next morning, we were treated to breathtaking sunrise views that made waking up early totally worth it.
Then we packed up and made our way up to Hatteras. What a drive!
Once again, we didn’t have reservations, but there were a few campgrounds we wanted to check out. We ended up choosing the Rodanthe Cape Hatteras KOA, and it turned out to be a beautiful spot, especially in the off-season. If it had been in season, it probably would have been way too crowded, but we were lucky enough to have the place mostly to ourselves. We picked a site right next to the beach, and it was perfect.
One place you absolutely can’t miss is the Cape Hatteras Light Station. While the lighthouse was closed for tours due to renovations, the grounds were still well worth the visit! Definitely make sure to check it out!
Our next stop was Ocracoke Island, which we reached by taking a 45-minute ferry ride (free of charge). We arrived to the ferry station early and took some time to explore the shops around the ferry station. While most places were closed for the off-season, it was still a neat spot to wander around and check out while we waited.
We travel so frequently that sometimes, when we wake up in the morning, we have to pause and think for a moment to remember where we are and what’s waiting just outside our door. Take a look at this!
After we pulled off the ferry, we drove just a short distance to Ocracoke Island Campground, and I absolutely loved it! We were just steps from the beach and practically had the whole place to ourselves. I’m totally in love with this island—it’s small but so charming. While most things were closed, we still enjoyed every minute of our time there. I can’t wait to come back again!
Our time on Ocracoke Island flew by, and soon we were heading to the ferry station to catch the ride to Cedar Island. Once again, we arrived early and waited in line for the ferry. The ride to Cedar Island is a 2-hour journey, and unlike the others, it isn’t free.
When we arrived on Cedar Island, we discovered that Cedar Island Ranch was right next door. We decided to drive over and inquire about staying. Luckily, since it was off-season, we had no trouble securing a gorgeous spot right by the water—and we had the entire side of the campground to ourselves! This place was amazing! They offered horseback riding, so I immediately signed up for a ride that evening. I could hardly wait! The experience was unforgettable—not only was the scenery stunning, but we also saw wild horses and even rode through the surf on horseback. What an incredible adventure!
After a few wonderful days on Cedar Island, we were on our way to Tennessee for our camp host volunteer position. The Outer Banks and Ocracoke Island are definitely at the top of my “must revisit” list. Stay tuned for our next adventure, and remember—slow down, take walks, and savor this amazing journey. Life is too short not to explore the world. Until next time…
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Simply Schricks- Destination Unknown Again 