Introduction / Overview
Nestled in the historic and tranquil fishing village of Wanchese, The Refuge on Roanoke Island offers North Carolina campers an ideal retreat on the Outer Banks. This RV park specializes in providing a comfortable, modern, and quiet base camp away from the high-traffic tourist crowds of Nags Head and Kitty Hawk, yet still providing convenient access to all the charm of Roanoke Island and the pristine Atlantic beaches.
The Refuge is recognized as a clean, well-maintained facility, with many sites backing up to a tranquil canal or sound-overlooking pond. This provides beautiful views and the immediate opportunity for light water activities like fishing and kayaking. The management and staff are frequently praised by guests as "super nice and helpful," ensuring a positive and seamless experience from check-in to departure.
Unlike a primitive campground, The Refuge caters exclusively to RV, motorhome, 5th wheel, and pop-up trailer campers—tent camping is not permitted. This focus allows the park to deliver on high-quality, full-service amenities. While the majority of the total 59 sites are leased annually, approximately 15 spacious, full-hookup sites are dedicated to nightly and weekly rentals, making early reservations highly recommended, especially during the peak summer season when the Outer Banks truly shines. For North Carolina residents looking for a peaceful, well-appointed RV spot that serves as a gateway to both the history of Manteo and the beaches of the Outer Banks, The Refuge is a hidden coastal gem.
Location and Accessibility
The Refuge on Roanoke Island is strategically situated on the southern end of Roanoke Island, between the historical town of Manteo and the working fishing port of Wanchese. This location offers a perfect balance between seclusion and access.
The physical address is:
2881 NC-345, Wanchese, NC 27981, USA
The campground is easily accessed via North Carolina Highway 345, a well-maintained road that connects directly to US-64, the primary route onto Roanoke Island from the mainland and the major route leading to the barrier islands (Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills). It’s only a short drive—less than 10 minutes—to the historic downtown Manteo, home of the Lost Colony and Roanoke Island Festival Park. Furthermore, the main Outer Banks beaches of Nags Head are less than a 10 to 15-minute drive away across the Washington Baum Bridge. The park's grounds feature gravel roads and level, spacious gravel pads, ensuring easy navigation and comfortable setup for all sizes of RVs (accommodating vehicles up to 40-45 feet).
Services Offered
The Refuge provides premium, full-service amenities designed for maximum RV comfort, rivaling many larger resort parks.
Features / Highlights
The defining features of The Refuge are its peaceful atmosphere, waterfront location, and access to unique Outer Banks activities.
Contact Information
For booking your North Carolina Outer Banks RV retreat, use the contact information below. Early booking is highly recommended for the limited nightly rental sites.
Address: 2881 NC-345, Wanchese, NC 27981, USA
Phone: (252) 473-1096
Mobile Phone: +1 252-473-1096
What is Worth Choosing
The Refuge on Roanoke Island is the standout choice for North Carolina RV travelers who want the full-service amenities of a resort combined with the tranquility and history of Roanoke Island.
The primary reason to choose The Refuge is its exceptional value and dual location advantage. You get clean, full 30/50 amp hookups, a seasonal pool, on-site laundry, and a highly praised manager, all at an often great price point for the desirable Outer Banks region. Crucially, the location on NC-345 provides a quiet, peaceful atmosphere away from the congestion of the main beach road (NC-12), while still keeping both the historical attractions of Manteo and the oceanfront of Nags Head within a brief, convenient drive.
Furthermore, the on-site water features—the pond with fishing, the sound views, and the ability to launch kayaks—offer a unique, relaxed coastal experience right at your campsite. The focus on cleanliness and a helpful management team, as repeatedly highlighted in customer feedback, ensures a stress-free vacation. For North Carolinians looking for a beautiful, quiet, and fully-equipped RV base for an extended stay or a week of exploring the Outer Banks, The Refuge on Roanoke Island offers an unmatched combination of serenity, convenience, and quality service.
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
RV camping
RV sewer hookup
RV water hookup
Camping fee
Credit cards
Debit cards
Good for kids
On-site parking
Dogs allowed
Beautiful campground and we will definitely be back. The manager is super nice and helpful. She runs a great campground. Clean, spacious sites with full hookup. Beautiful walking areas and places to relax and fish. Bathhouse is a little small but very clean.
We camped here for 7 days and absolutely loved it! The pricing was great and the area was amazing and beautiful! We thought we were going to be late for check in, so I called the manager and she checked me I the day before, told me the rules and my site number! The refuge is quiet, theres a pool and a little dog park for our fur babies!! We cannot wait to come back here next year!
Kathy is super nice and very accessible. Very quiet area...near a highway but not bad. Family friendly and affordable.
The Refuge is a beautiful campground. They have made the most of the space, while giving campers enough room in between spots. The water views and sunsets are amazing. The location seems kind of remote, yet anything you would need or want is so close by! Our host, Kathy, was wonderful. She was very proactive and responsive to our needs and questions. She set the tone for our relaxing and enjoyable weekend getaway by being professional yet easy going. We will definitely be back soon!
Very nice campground with awesome people who run the place. They have a shower room, laundry machines, and a pool right on the canal pond.