We just stayed at Ocean Waves Mother's Day weekend. What a neat little privately owned CG. There's about 100 sites with concrete pads. Since it was built in the mid 80s, the pads are on the narrow side, but they work. AND, they are about $20/night less than Camp Hatteras and KOA right down the street. Check them out. (
Ocean Waves Campground) KOA has recently finished a major update project and if I had kids, I'd probably stay there.
As for driving on the beaches.
I'll try to stay politically correct for the sake of our forum. Several years back, and environmentalist group gained support of a federal judge. As a result, the National Seashore beaches are now severely restricted. Now days you even have to watch a video and buy a permit to drive on our beaches. And not to mention that the Park Rangers often seem to forget who pays their salaries. (That's all I'll say about that.) AND, it's killing the economy for the poor locals who have survived off the surf fishing business forever. Here's info on what you have to do to drive on the beach anymore. (
Off-Road Vehicle Use - Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)
All in all, the OBX is still a great place to visit.