Can You Camp on the Beach in Carova?
No. Overnight camping is not allowed anywhere along the 11-mile Carova shoreline. You cannot pitch a tent, sleep in your vehicle on the beach, or set up camp for the night.
Why No Camping?
The beach camping ban protects both the environment and the wild horses. The dune ecosystem is fragile, and overnight human presence increases the risk of:
- Disturbing nesting shorebirds and sea turtles
- Dangerous interactions with wild horses (especially at night)
- Trash and waste left on the beach
- Erosion from foot traffic in sensitive areas
What About Sleeping in My Vehicle?
No. Sleeping in your vehicle on the beach overnight is also prohibited. Currituck County enforces this rule, and you may be cited if found camping on the beach after hours.
Parking Permits Have Hours
Beach parking permits (required May through early October) are only valid during daytime hours. Vehicles must be off the beach by a designated time, typically sunset or shortly after.
Where to Stay Instead
Carova has hundreds of vacation rental homes available for nightly or weekly stays. This is the only legal way to spend the night in the 4x4 area. Benefits include:
- Ocean views and beach access steps away
- Full kitchens and bathrooms
- Decks perfect for stargazing
- Wild horses often walk through the yards
See our guide: Where to Stay in Carova
Camping Elsewhere in the Outer Banks
If you're set on camping, there are options elsewhere in the Outer Banks:
- Oregon Inlet Campground: NPS campground on Hatteras Island
- Cape Point Campground: Near Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Frisco Campground: Southern Hatteras Island
- Ocracoke Campground: On Ocracoke Island
Note that none of these are in the wild horse area—the Corolla/Carova horses are only accessible from the northern 4x4 beaches.