Tucked away on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the island of Ocracoke felt like a little slice of heaven—and Jerniman’s Campground was our cozy home for two peaceful, adventure-filled weeks. From the ferry rides that kicked off the trip to the friendly faces around the island, this stop quickly became one of our all-time favorites. If you’re looking for a rustic, welcoming campground with full hookups and easy access to all Ocracoke has to offer, this place needs to be on your radar.
Getting There
Our journey began on April 27, 2025, leaving Emerald Isle and heading north to Ocracoke. Getting there was part of the adventure. We had to reserve a ferry spot ahead of time—definitely something you’ll want to do if you’re towing a trailer, especially since there are only three ferries a day from that direction. The ride cost $45 for our truck and trailer and was tight but manageable.
Campsite Setup & Features
We stayed at Jerniman’s Campground on site 14. It was a back-in site with full hookups—water, electric, and sewer. Not every site has sewer access, but there’s a dump station available near Site 6, and they even offer a sewer trolley if needed. The hookups were all in good shape, though the sewer connections vary in height from site to site, so bring some extra leveling support if needed.
Our site was level and spacious, with a good amount of room on each side. The campground doesn’t have a lot of natural barriers like trees between sites, but there was enough space to make it feel private without being isolated. Fires aren’t allowed, so no fire ring, but a picnic table was included.
Backing in was a breeze thanks to the generous room in front of the sites—and we even got help from one of the owners during check-in!
Facilities & Amenities
While we didn’t use the bathhouses, we can’t talk enough about the free laundry—yes, free! It’s not fancy and the machines are older, but it works. The washer cleaned well, though the dryer needed a couple of cycles to get things fully dry. Still, free laundry at a campground is a game-changer.
The office building out front is also home to a small gas station, camp store, and restaurant. The food is home-cooked and they offer rotating specials—just make sure to check the hours on the front door as they can be a bit limited.
Connectivity & Convenience
Starlink worked beautifully here. Verizon had solid service, while T-Mobile was okay. No campground Wi-Fi, but honestly, we didn’t miss it. Most campground Wi-Fi is spotty anyway, so bringing your own setup is best.
What really stood out was how walkable everything was. The grocery store was literally next door, with a hardware store, ABC store, post office, brewery, and multiple restaurants all within walking distance. It made restocking supplies and grabbing a bite super easy—especially helpful since we’d usually only carry back what we could hold.
Vibe & Environment
The overall vibe at Jerniman’s was calm, rustic, and friendly. The sites backed up to what looked like a marsh, giving a nice, open feel without any unpleasant smells. We never dealt with noise issues, bugs, or rowdy neighbors—just people relaxing and enjoying island life. It was so peaceful that even when a storm rolled through one afternoon, it was a cozy change of pace. The only thing louder than the storm was the rain pounding the trailer roof!
Community & Hospitality
The staff at Jerniman’s were absolutely top-notch. From helping us back into our site to printing documents and even retrieving packages from the post office, their friendliness and flexibility were beyond appreciated. When we booked, we were initially told we’d have to switch sites during our stay due to a fishing tournament. But a quick call to the office got everything sorted—we stayed in one spot the whole time and still got our weekly discount.
We made friends with neighbors who invited us to the Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament award ceremony across the street. Free food and beer, plus live music, gave it a great local vibe. Emily even went fishing with one of the tournament participants!
Daily Life & Island Adventures
Some of our favorite moments were the simple ones. Grabbing fresh-made fried chicken from the office lunch buffet, chatting with our neighbors, or taking the cats out to explore the site. We got our fill of great eats at local spots like Dajio, Howards Pub, Flying Melon Cafe, and of course, Jason’s (don’t skip the pizza and chicken tenders—seriously).
We also visited:
- 1718 Brewery (frequently!)
- Ocracoke Lighthouse
- Ocracoke Ice Cream
- SmacNally’s for drinks and dinner
- Books to Be Red for local reads
- The Ocracoke Pony Pasture for a quiet nature moment
- The National Park office for a stamp in Emily’s book
Even a minor motorcycle mishap and fridge issues couldn’t put a damper on this place. The community and calm surroundings made every inconvenience feel like just part of the journey.
Final Thoughts
Jerniman’s Campground on Ocracoke Island is a gem. At $80 a night, it’s one of the few places on the island with full hookups, and worth every penny. The staff, the location, and the peaceful vibe made it feel like a home away from home. Whether you’re traveling with pets, needing to work remotely, or just want a quiet coastal escape, this spot checks all the boxes.
Would we go back? Absolutely. We’re already talking about making it a yearly stop.
