Imagine drifting off to sleep on a bed of soft sand with the murmur of waves gently kissing the sandy shoreline. A whispering breeze ruffles your tent, ushering in the sounds of nocturnal creatures and the salt-laden air. Now imagine waking up to a spectacular sunrise over the ocean as gulls begin to wheel and turn above the waves looking for breakfast and dolphins play just off the beach. Welcome to an experience you won't soon forget-camping on the Outer Banks. From spring through autumn, lovers of the outdoors make their way to the numerous campgrounds that line these barrier islands to experience nature. Whether choosing to bed down with nothing more than a tent and a sleeping bag or deciding to "camp" in a recreational vehicle, opportunities abound.

When word first got out that the Outer Banks was a desirable location for a little rest and relaxation, campgrounds were popular-and sometimes the only choice-for accommodations. Many of the visitors to the Outer Banks were hunters and anglers, people who relished the natural world and took pleasure in sleeping under the Carolina moon. For other tourists, camping was an alternative because motels and rental cottages were few and far between. Many of the older campgrounds have given way as development continues to encroach on former open areas, but today you can choose from many campgrounds on Colington, Roanoke, Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke Islands. Whether you desire a location right next to the ocean or protected in a wooded site, you have numerous spots to explore.

Most people think summer is the best time to camp on the Outer Banks because of the warm temperatures, but arm yourself with bug repellent. Many of the campgrounds listed are near the sound or in wooded areas where mosquitoes are always hungry for a juicy camper. Don't forget that the summer months are also a ripe time for thunderstorms and hurricanes. Read the chapter on Waves and Weather for additional information on how to stay safe while vacationing on the Outer Banks.

Some campers, many of them locals, prefer to get away from it all by camping during the off-season, or "shoulder seasons," as we call them. This includes spring and fall, when the temperatures are warm enough to enjoy all the outdoor activities. In the fall, the humidity lessens, along with some of the crowds, and evenings are crisp and clear, perfect for stargazing.

More than 100,000 people frequent the National Park Service campgrounds for their home away from home each year, while thousands of other nature lovers set up camp at privately owned campgrounds. Some private campgrounds only open during the summer season, offering few creature comforts besides cold showers, but others are year-round establishments providing electric and water hookups, sewage disposal, laundry facilities, swimming pools, game rooms, bathhouses, and cable television. Some campgrounds rent furnished RVs. All have well-maintained roads and drive-up sites that accommodate any type of vehicle. Note that taxes are not included in any of the prices quoted.

National Park Service campgrounds operate under the same rules and regulations and charge the same fees. Park Service campgrounds do not take reservations (except the Ocracoke Campground between Memorial Day and Labor Day) and accept payment in cash or credit cards upon arrival. Sites operate on a first- come, first-served basis. The National Park Service provides lifeguards at Coquina Beach, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, south of the Frisco Pier at Sandy Bay, and on Ocracoke Island. For more information on any of the local National Park Service campgrounds, call (252) 473-2111, and check the Park Service's Web site for the most up-to-date information on the opening and closing dates of each campground: www.nps.gov/caha.

Camping on the beach is prohibited, as is wilderness camping in open areas, including Nags Head Woods, Kitty Hawk Woods, and Buxton Woods. But there is one spot where wilderness camping is allowed-Portsmouth Island. This now- uninhabited island is accessible only by boat. So if you really want to get away from it all, check out our Day Trips chapter for information on Portsmouth Island.

Remember, these islands are home to a variety of wildlife, locals included. Please respect their homes by not littering or disturbing the environment in any way. We want to keep it just the way it is so you can come back and enjoy camping again next year.