South Core Banks -- Beach camping

Get the app — scan the QR code to download

About this campsite

Dispersed camping along the ocean beach of this 20 mile long barrier island -- this is backcountry-style camping -- all camping is done directly on the ocean beach, there are no camp sites. This area is reached only by ferry. Both tent camping and vehicle camping is allowed. Vehicles -- 4x4 highly recommended -- must be able to drive on the soft sand of the beach and the sand trail behind the dunes known as the "back road". There are no hard surfaces on the island. Practice Leave No Trace principles.

Location

South Core Banks -- Beach camping•NC

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Common questions about South Core Banks -- Beach camping

Can you book South Core Banks -- Beach camping online?

We hold no online booking link for South Core Banks -- Beach camping, so it is not bookable through this page. Many parks and showgrounds still require a booking, so contact the operator before you go. Their website or phone number is the fastest way to confirm a site.

Where is South Core Banks -- Beach camping?

South Core Banks -- Beach camping sits in NC. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

12.4 km away

Cedar Creek Campground

Campground: Cedar Creek Campground.

13.3 km away

The Landing RV Park

Campground: The Landing RV Park.

15.0 km away

Harkers Island RV Resort & Campground

Campground: Harkers Island RV Resort & Campground.

20.9 km away

North Core Banks - Beach Camping

Dispersed camping along the ocean beach of this 20- barrier island -- this is backcountry-style camping -- all camping is done directly on the ocean beach, there are no camp sites. This area is reached only by ferry. Both tent camping and vehicle camping is allowed. Vehicles -- 4x4 highly recommended -- must be able to drive on the soft sand of the beach and the sand trail behind the dunes known as the "back road". There are no hard surfaces on the island. Practice Leave No Trace principles.

20.9 km away

LONG POINT CABIN CAMP

Overview Escape to North Core Cabin Camp — a one-of-a-kind coastal getaway on North Core Banks within the stunning Cape Lookout National Seashore. Just off the mainland of North Carolina, this secluded destination offers unspoiled beaches, endless ocean views, and a true taste of island adventure. Built to replace the former Long Point Cabin Camp—which was lost to Hurricane Dorian in 2019—North Core Cabin Camp continues the tradition of seaside stays with a renewed spirit of resilience and natural beauty. Here, you’ll enjoy a primitive, self-sufficient camping experience surrounded by sand, sea, and sky. Each cabin features a hookup for your own generator, while restrooms and hot showers are available at a shared community bathhouse. Be sure to bring everything you’ll need for your stay—fuel and ice are not sold on-site, keeping this island experience refreshingly simple and off the grid. Getting here is part of the adventure. The camp is accessible only by boat, offering a sense of privacy and escape that’s hard to find anywhere else. Cross scenic Core Sound in your own vessel or bring your vehicle over on the vehicle ferry to explore miles of oceanside beaches. Once you arrive, it’s just a five-mile drive from the ferry landing to your cozy coastal retreat. Discover your next great adventure at North Core Cabin Camp—where the wild beauty of Cape Lookout meets the timeless joy of island living. Recreation The park’s sandy beaches provide excellent opportunities for fishing, shelling, swimming, birdwatching, and quiet relaxation. Spring and fall are considered prime fishing seasons, offering some of the best angling conditions along the Atlantic Coast. Kayaking is also a popular activity, with 112 miles of undeveloped shoreline ranging from calm sound waters to the open surf. These diverse coastal conditions make Cape Lookout National Seashore one of the premier paddling destinations on the Mid-Atlantic coast. Facilities North Core Cabin Camp offers 16 primitive metal cabins situated along the scenic Atlantic Coast, ideal for individuals, families, and small groups seeking a simple coastal getaway. Each cabin allows the use of user-provided generator electricity, includes a furnished window air-conditioning unit, and provides access to potable water. Cabins 1–8 accommodate up to four guests , while cabins 9–16 accommodate up to eight guests . · The four-person cabins measure approximately 20 feet long by 8 feet wide (160 sq. ft.). · The eight-person cabins measure approximately 40 feet long by 8 feet wide (320 sq. ft.). All cabins feature a raised deck, with Cabin 1 offering enhanced accessibility via an entrance ramp. Inside each unit, guests will find bunk beds (configured for 4 or 8 sleepers), mattresses, and a combination sleeping/living area that includes a counter with upper and lower storage cabinets. A centrally located bathhouse provides restrooms, hot water, and shower facilities for all guests. Please note: Refrigerators are not provided. Campers must bring their own linens, bedding, cookware, food, food storage, coolers, first-aid supplies, and any additional personal items needed for their stay. Natural Features Cape Lookout National Seashore extends approximately 56 miles along the North Carolina coast, from Ocracoke Inlet in the northeast to Beaufort Inlet in the southwest. This series of undeveloped barrier islands is characterized by wide sandy beaches, low dunes covered with scattered sea grasses, open grasslands bordered by dense vegetation, and extensive salt marshes along the sound. The area preserves a natural coastal environment that offers visitors opportunities for recreation, exploration, and the appre