North Core Banks - Beach Camping
Open for camping year-round with no reservation required. NPS is monitoring Hurricane Erin; check go.nps.gov/stormwatch for updates. Seasonal restrooms and showers at Long Point are typically available March through November. No potable water is available on the island. Long Point Cabin Camp remains permanently closed due to Hurricane Dorian damage.
Hurricane Erin Closures At Cape Lookout National Seashore:
The National Park Service staff will be monitoring ongoing developments with Hurricane Erin and will post updates as needed on the park website at go.nps.gov/stormwatch, and via Facebook and Instagram.
Prospectus for Passenger Ferry Service to the South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks and Land Transp
Find more information for concession business opportunity to provide passenger ferry service to the South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks and land transportation on the South Core Banks at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/concessions/cc-calo001-26.htm
Costly Outcome: Shark Island
Located near the Point of Cape Lookout, a sandbar has begun to connect, known as Shark Island, which lies outside of Cape Lookout's jurisdiction. The sand in this region is soft, making it difficult to navigate, increasing the risk of becoming stuck.
Fireworks Prohibited within Cape Lookout National Seashore
Happy Independence Day! We look forward to spending the holiday weekend with you. A friendly reminder that for public safety, fireworks are prohibited within Cape Lookout National Seashore.
About
North Core Banks is a 21-mile undeveloped barrier island within Cape Lookout National Seashore, offering one of the most remote beach camping experiences on the East Coast. All camping is dispersed primitive camping directly on the ocean beach, with no designated sites, no hookups, and no paved surfaces anywhere on the island. Campers must be entirely self-sufficient, bringing all food, drinking water, and supplies, and packing out all trash. Both tent camping and vehicle camping are allowed. Vehicles must have 4WD capability to navigate the soft sand beaches and the sandy back road behind the dunes. RVs and trailers can be brought over on the vehicle ferry (accommodating lengths from 38 to 54 feet depending on the ferry), but all camping vehicles must remain on the open beach seaward of the primary dunes. An ORV permit from Recreation.gov is required for beach driving. Seasonal amenities at the former Long Point Cabin area include restrooms, showers, and a dump station, though these facilities are shut off during winter months. The Long Point Cabin Camp itself is permanently closed due to damage from Hurricane Dorian. Open fires are permitted below the high tide line in damp sand, limited to 3 feet in diameter. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days, and groups of 25 or more require a Special Use Permit.
Directions
Take the vehicle ferry from Atlantic, NC to Long Point on North Core Banks. The barrier islands can only be reached by boat, either via ferry or private watercraft. There are no bridges or roads connecting to the mainland.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 54ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 54ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| calo_VC@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (252) 728-2250 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Photos
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