Winter is still raging in some parts of the country, but that doesn't mean a respite isn't in the offing. Proof of that is news of the opening dates of the campgrounds at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Outer Banks Group Superintendent Mike Murray says the Oregon Inlet, Frisco, and Ocracoke campgrounds will open to the public on Friday, April 3, 2009. While Oregon Inlet and Frisco campgrounds will remain open through Columbus Day, October 12, the Ocracoke Island Campground will remain open through October 26. Cape Point Campground in Buxton, on Hatteras Island, opens Friday, May 22, for Memorial Day Weekend and closes on September 7.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore has four campgrounds. All campgrounds accommodate tents, trailers, and motor homes up to 35 feet. Each campground provides rest rooms, potable water, unheated showers, grills, and picnic tables. No hookups are available.

Camping fees at Oregon Inlet, Frisco and Cape Point are $20 per night. The camping fee at Ocracoke Campground is $23 per night. Holders of the Interagency Senior or Access passes and the Golden Age or Golden Access passes receive a 50 percent discount on their campsite.

Group camping is only available at Oregon Inlet Campground. Fees for group camping are $4.00 per person per night (for groups of 7-30 people) including infants and toddlers. The group camping reservation number is 252-441-0882 and reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.

Ocracoke is the only National Park Service campground on the Outer Banks where visitors can make advanced reservations. Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on the Internet at this site. You can make a reservation up to six months in advance. Campsites at Oregon Inlet, Frisco and Cape Point Campgrounds are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

No more than six persons and two vehicles may occupy a single campsite. Pop-up campers are considered vehicles. Parking space for extra vehicles is very limited, so park officials ask that you make arrangements to park your extra vehicle outside the park or rent an additional campsite.

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, all camping is limited to 14 days within a 30-day period. Quiet hours are between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Generators may not be operated during these hours.

Camping in Cape Hatteras National Seashore is permitted only in designated campgrounds. Camping on beaches is prohibited.