Published Updated 3 min readBeach
Outer Banks Facts for Rental Guests
Quick answer
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the nation's first national seashore, covers a long stretch of the Outer Banks. The National Park Service says it includes parts of Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands and runs about 67 miles. On BnB Search, the Outer Banks vacation rentals hub lists 333 places, 281 of them individual stays. Sources are linked at the end.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore in numbers (NPS)
- Length: about 67 miles along the Outer Banks (NPS listing on Recreation.gov).
- Islands: parts of Bodie Island, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island.
- Size: 24,470 acres; Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, inside the authorized Seashore boundary, adds 5,880 acres.
- History: authorized by Congress on August 17, 1937, and established on January 12, 1953.
Why this matters for renters: if your rental is on Hatteras or Ocracoke island, nearby beaches may be Seashore land, where NPS rules for beach driving and fires apply.
Driving on the beach
NPS requires an off-road vehicle (ORV) permit to drive on Seashore beaches, sold online through Recreation.gov. Vehicles may use only designated ORV routes, and ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles are not allowed on park beaches. Check the NPS ORV FAQ for current permit types, fees and route closures.
What our Outer Banks listings show
These counts come from BnB Search's own directory data and change when listings are added or removed.
- 333 listings in total: 281 individual stays, 8 resorts, inns or lodging businesses, 40 rental companies, property managers or real estate offices and 4 other local listings that are not rentals.
- Area tags: Nags Head 187, Hatteras Island 38, Duck 25, Corolla 17, Kill Devil Hills 14. Our area tags are broad, so open the map pin to see exactly where a listing is.
- Words in the stay titles: of the 281 stays, 53 mention oceanfront, beachfront or an ocean view; 23 mention walking to the beach; 4 mention lakefront, waterfront or lake access; 2 mention a dock; 44 mention a hot tub or spa; 47 mention a pool; 41 mention pets or dogs; 10 mention condo. Hosts write these titles themselves, so confirm each feature before you book.
Browse them on the Outer Banks hub (map and filters) or in the full Outer Banks listings directory.
Before you book a Outer Banks rental
- Which island: open the map pin; the Outer Banks run for many miles and the Seashore alone is about 67 miles long.
- Beach access: ask the host how far the nearest beach access is.
- Beach driving: get the NPS ORV permit before driving on Seashore beaches.
- Pets: confirm the pet policy and fees with the host.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to drive on the beach at Cape Hatteras?
Yes. NPS requires an ORV permit, sold through Recreation.gov, and vehicles must stay on designated routes.
Which islands are in Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
Parts of Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, according to NPS.
How many Outer Banks rentals does BnB Search list?
333 listings, including 281 individual stays. The rest are lodging businesses, rental companies or other local listings.
Does BnB Search book the stay?
No. Compare on the hub, then book on the site linked from the listing.
Places to stay in our Outer Banks, North Carolina directory
Each of these listings has its own BnB Search page. The list is alphabetical, not ranked, and shows no ratings.
- Carefree in Kitty Hawk, NC
- Frisco Beach House, 4 Lots Back
- Home with Private Pool near the Beach
- JP Cottages – Oceanfront Cottages, South Nags Head MP 18.7
- Outer Banks Beach Rentals and Sales – OBX Rentals
- Sandbar Beach Road 2508
- Sea Spray Cottages – Dog-Friendly Nags Head Cottage Court
- The Sandy Edge - OBX
Sources
- NPS: Cape Hatteras park statistics
- NPS: Cape Hatteras basic information
- NPS: Off-road vehicle FAQ
- Recreation.gov: Cape Hatteras ORV permit
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