I'm driving down to the Outer Banks for a wedding next month, and planned on beach camping on the return trip to VB. I'm looking for a spot where I can both camp and drive on the beach. I know the NC 12 route in Carova is open for driving, as I've been there before, but I'm not 100% sure if camping is allowed there.

Google hasn't really been giving me the results I'm looking for, so I'd love some input. The wedding is is Kill Devil Hills, so anything north of that is ideal.

 

The only permitted place to camp and drive on the beach is Portsmouth Island, south of Ocrakoke.
False Cape allows primitive camping but cannot drive there, hike, bike or kayak only.
The best beach area is 20 miles south of KDH (Kill Devil Hills), on Hatteras Island.
Carova is a congested beach during the summer. You cannot camp there but fishing is permitted all night. To stay on the beach all night, bring fishing poles, do not use a tent, keep camp tidy so that it appears that you are only fishing.

Here is what Hatteras beach is like in the summer..

 

I love this pic. I want to sit there all day and just sit.. Bring the quadcopter and fly around looking at stuff while I sit on my butt...lol

 

Alright thanks for the feedback! Looks like Hatteras it is!

 

FYI Hatteras Island is a National Seashore (NPS, National Park Service) and requires a vehicle permit for driving on the beach. $50 for a week or $120 for the fiscal year. The maritime forest is state owned, free and open to the public.

Carova beach is a designated as public road (Hwy 12) and is free and open. 12 miles of beach to the VA state line. There is some good exploring to be had in the villages of Carova and Swan Beach. And if you are into biking or hiking, you can venture into False Cape State Park, located at the fence NC/VA border, behind Carova there is an entry gate.
The following pictures are from Carova. If you are going in September, than it will not be very congested. I spend about 6 hours up there exploring when I go.

 

If I could I would teleport you here. I have no one to fly with, other than passing airplanes which I have to watch out for.

 

I gotta come down to OBX again. Was fun riding with you the last time

 

Surprising or not I took my 09 rav4 on the beach there.... My friends all have jk with 37 . Needless to say.... I could t be leave I didn't get stuck .. They tried hard ..

 

 

Good job! Did you make it over the dune too?

 

Nah i wasn't pushing it... Even though my friends in wranglers trying to get it stuck... It was kinda rutted up .. A lot was roped off .. With the little 4cy and locked in 4wd it really doesn't have the power to push through deep sand ....

 

Awesome pictures! It looks like I need to head up there one day to explore. Looks like a great time.

 

Great pics thanks for sharing.