Camping in Tennessee and Noth Carolina

Originally posted by TRICERA-POD We have never camped on Ocracoke Island but have been there a number of times. Will the ferry folks to Ocracoke allow a TV pulling a R-pod on the ferry? Seems to me they would not let you. And I was not aware of any ferry to Portsmouth Island, only small boats big enough for a few passengers. This is one spot I have been wanting to visit for a number of years as the wild life you see on the ride to and back is supposed to be great. Plus there is a National Parks Passport stamp on the island I need to obtain.

Just back 3 hours ago from the OBX.  We came down by way of Manteo and stayed at the NPS campground at Frisco.  Any of the ferries to Ocracoke will take a TV/r-pod.  The ones from Cedar Island or Swan Quarter are toll ferries and will charge about double for a combo ($20 instead of $10 I think).  The Hatteras Island to Ocracoke ferry is still free for the time being, but Irene destroyed the channel.  Despite two major attempts to dredge the route between the islands it filled again immediately, so the ferry now takes over an hour going way out into the sound.  We didn't take the pod to Ocracoke, but went over a couple of times and there were campers, boats, giant RVs and trucks on the boats just about every time. 

Capt. Rudy Austin, maybe others, takes passengers (only) to PI from Ocracoke.   He makes a detour by some bird islands. The vehicle ferry to Portsmouth leaves from Atlantic.   That ferry might take a trailer but you have to back on and they pack their little boat tight, as in you might have to climb out your car window because your door won't open enough to let you out.  There are no  roads or services of any kind on PI and the sand is soft and deep.  I don't know if you'd make it more than 30 feet off the ferry towing a pod unless you your TV had full tracks.  I tent camped over there for several days last year and saw no one with any kind of trailer.  Actually, you don't see a lot of people over there at all.

Camper trailers aren't allowed off road on the upper islands.  I don't know if they are allowed on Portsmouth, but even if they are allowed I guarantee this is not something you should do without really knowing what you are getting into. 

TT

Love Ocracoke; been vacationing there for 40 years. Best thing is being able to drive on the beach. No problem driving onto the ferry, but call ahead for reservation.

Last fall we spent a month at the KOA in Rodanthe NC, it was great!! One dune over from the beach, great fishing and great sight seeing. We spent hours sitting on the beach watching the Dolphins swimming by, it was amazing!

I like the looks of Hales Bar RV park just off I-24, exit 158, 15 miles or so north of Chattanooga.  It's on an island in Nickajack lake(Tenn. River) and looks like every site is on the water. Never stayed there, but looks good every time I pass it heading to Nashville...Beautiful area.

We are interested in eastern T and western Nc plus checking out the outer banks. Would love to camp close to the ocean.