Jockey's Ridge State Park is one of the best spots to visit in the Outer Banks. The massive dunes…read moreare incredible to see and fun for kids to climb, run around, or roll down. It's the tallest living sand dune system on the East Coast, and the views from the top are amazing, especially at sunset. The visitor center has some neat exhibits about the history and ecology of the dunes, and the rangers are helpful with tips on where to go. People are out there flying kites or even taking hang gliding lessons, which makes it a lively place. Admission is free and it's a unique experience you don't want to miss.

A must see state park inNags Head. Absolutely swing by next time you're in the Outer Banks around…read moreKitty Hawk or the Nags Head. There are amazing sand dunes, where you can literally go fly a kite! Not for the faint of heart or the tired of legs, be ready for the weather and to climb dunes. There is a lookout at the end of a boardwalk area if you just want to take a few quick pictures. If you need a kite, Kitty Hawk Kites has a small shop at the park to grab some essentials. You can also skate down the dunes if you're adventurous. We had so much sand covering us once we got back in the car but it was 100% worth it. They do have a rinse off spot next to the welcome center/restrooms. Pro tip: baby powder will help you brush off sand once you're ready to head home

We went in the evening in early May so the weather was nice. We were the only people there but it…read moreseems most fitting for smaller kids 2-6. It's close to an ice cream place so it's perfect place to let the littles enjoy their ice cream and run off some energy.

Small park adjacent to Jeanette's Pier and Sam & Omie's Restaurant. Four covered picnic tables,…read moreslides, obstacle course, swing set and an accessible swing. Bocce ball, volleyball, and horseshoe courts (bring your own equipment). Accessible portable toilet. Bike rack. Plenty of parking. Stopped here with the kids to burn some energy before dinner. Good option before/after visiting the pier.

Had no place to park motor home overnight that would allow me to run generator or plug-in. I have…read moremedical equipment that needs power 24/7 and no power also means no A/C. NO accommodations for RVs passing through without reservations made months in advance. The park ranger lied that I was asked to vacate a parking lot at the airport that was marked 24 hour parking. Was given $155 ticket for parking overnight. A beautiful area, to bad the rangers aren't more accommodating.

Nice national park site. Beach area is clean and easily accessible. Camping is no frills but gets…read morejob done. Entry visitor center closed because of fire. Nice junior ranger program. Not a destination but worth a stop in area.

Great find while staying in Nags Head! We walked here from Dowdy park. Next time we will drive and…read morepark in the lot since they have marked hiking trails. Lovely views of flora and fauna. Bring bug spray, sun screen, and water!

Beautiful views. Bring serious bug spray and a camera. I…read morewish they marked the beginning of the trails and paths better. I mean even some spray on the trees would work!

We loved stopping at Jennette's Pier while on vacation. We got to watch people fishing, surfing,…read moreand enjoy a nice walk. It is only $2 per person per day to walk along the pier which we appreciated!

Jennette's Pier is a must stop if you're in the Nag's Head area! For $2 plus tax, you can walk out…read moreon the pier as much as you like! The pier itself was rebuilt after a hurricane wiped it out over a decade ago. There's a small aquarium with fish you'd find swimming underneath the pier itself, too, which is air conditioned, and a snack shop and huge gift shop. If fishing is your jam, they'll hook you up with everything you need for a day of casting and catching. Say hey to the friendly pelicans, maybe toss them a spare fish if you've got it.

Bottom Line: One of Nags Head's best kept secret and a great place for adventures and spectators…read morealike. Harvey Public Sound Access, aka Harvey Sound Access or Harvey Soundside Park, is one of those places that you debate yelping because you kinda want to keep it a secret. But, Harvey Public Sound Access is a public park and information about it is already in the public domain so here we go . . . As the name implies, this narrow public space is located on the sound at Mile Post 16 and gives locals and tourists alike access to the sound. There is a launch here for small waterctaft like kayaks, jet skis, kite boards and windsurfing whatchamagigs. For those trailering their water toys there are several long parking spaces to accommodate that set up. If watersports isn't your thing this is a terrific spot for spectating! There are several picnic tables under a pavilion offering spectacular views of all the action on the sound. Unless you are wanting to reserve the park for a private event, picnic tables are first come, first served. It's not uncommon to see locals relaxing here while on their break from work. Amenities at the park includes the pavilion, bathrooms and a water fountain. I think there might be a grill and power outlet too. If you're looking for a place to swim in the sound this isn't it because there's not a beach per se. (For sound side swimming I recommend the beach on the south side of Jockey's Ridge State Park.) Overall, this is a wonderfully serene and entertaining spot in Nags Head.

Such a great place! Any time of the year! Heaven on earth!!…read more A yearly must attend! If we are at the OBX, a trip to the Elizabethan Gardens is on the calendar!

I had a wonderful day at The Elizabethan Gardens! It was filled with beautiful flowers and…read morebutterflies! First passed through the store, they had unique hair clips, bags, jewelry, etc. Then on the trail we went. It was colorful and breathtaking! There are statues and fountains which adds even more charm. I could have stayed there all day. I saw frogs, squirrels, and garden spiders. Bathrooms were clean, parking ample. Prices were decent. We had a great time!

Absolutely horrifying experience…read more It started with the camp hosts allowing primitive campers in when the bathrooms and showers were closed and nailed shut. This promoted grown men urinating and defecating in full view, just feet from our Airstream - which was facing the nailed shut bath house. Knowing it would be obvious who reported them, we remained silent, as we were there for a week. THEN, *supposedly" some senior male Karen (again, supposedly) claimed we put our trained K9 out at 6am (we don't even wake up until 9am-10am) and allowed him to bark for 2 hours (never happened- again, trained K9 who was happily snoring in bed when this blatant lie was formulated). When we realised it was provably a lie, because we have security cameras (4) inside and out. Cameras showed we awoke and didn't open the doors the first time until 9.38am on the day in question (even later the morning before). the ranger's wife was almost revelling in repeatedly telling me that if the SUPPOSED male Karen complained (lied) again, she would *have to* call the sheriff on us??? Oh, but we should keep the camera footage that she didn't want to see, as proof. Sure. Riiight. We spent the remainder of our non-refundable week with the shades drawn and recording and saving every time we stepped out with our innocent dog should a false police report be filed by the ranger's wife. Hellish week that we couldn't enjoy because of lying, old Karens/Kevins and disgusting, exhibitionist men.

We camped at Oregon Inlet in early March, 2025, a national park campground that is open year-round…read more Pros. *It was well-priced. ($28 less 50% discount for Senior national park pass holder, plus $7 for electricity). *It was easy to make an online reservation, including having the ability to select our own site. *The restrooms were in great shape and heated, seemingly recently renovated. *There is easy access to the pristine waters, just over the sand dunes. *There is easy access to the Bodie Island Lighthouse, just a few miles down the road. *Sites were sufficiently far from each other. *The campground is in a remote location away from the bustle of Nags Head so be sure to stock up on food and supplies before camping. Cons. *The showers wouldn't be turned on until April 1st. *Be careful as there are sand spurs, which can be quite painful. *None of the camp sites are in the shade. *We stayed at this campground when there was a small craft advisory on the water with predictions that winds would have sustained speeds of 35 MPH and waves could reach 7-9'. Our Class B RV was pelleted all night by heavy rains and the RV rocked shook so much that we hardly slept. The only saving graces were that we weren't in tents (as some were) nor in a small craft on the water.

I've been obsessed with lighthouses since I was a child (an English thing, I guess?). Bodie…read more(Bow-dee NOT "body", I wish carpetbaggers would stop changing the pronunciations-two generations are now mispronouncing it) is not only beautiful, but has the additional museum and boardwalk to a scenic observation deck overlooking wetlands. I'm deathly afraid of heights so I can never go up, but I can appreciate the beauty and history from the ground.

After visiting the Hatteras Lighthouse and finding it all wrapped up in scaffolding, I was super…read moreexcited to get here to Bodie Island to find this one ready to photograph and visit. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is a striking black-and-white banded tower that has stood sentinel over the Outer Banks since 1872. This lighthouse is the third built in the area--the first, constructed in 1847, was abandoned due to a poor foundation, and the second, built in 1859, was destroyed during the Civil War by retreating Confederate troops. The current structure rises 156 feet and houses an original first-order Fresnel lens, casting light visible for up to 19 nautical miles. It was automated in 1940 and later transferred to the National Park Service in 1953. After extensive restoration, it opened to the public for climbing in 2013. Visitors can ascend its 219 steps for panoramic views of the surrounding marshes and Roanoke Sound. The lighthouse is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and remains one of the few tall brick lighthouses in the U.S. still equipped with its original lens. It was way too hot today to try climbing anything let alone that. I took my pictures and was more than satisfied. [Round number review 800 of 2025 - 4232 in North Carolina - 24360 overall]

We were so happy we stopped here. The walk up to the memorial is steep at times, but there are…read moremultiple paths to take so others may have been more gradual, but it was part of the experience to step up to where these brothers flew their first flight. Do stop in even just to drive around, it was beautiful!

The outdoor memorial is accessible for dog walkers but the museum is not. You can get a beautiful…read moreview of the OBX when walking to the top of the monument. A great learning center for kids.