North Core Banks - Beach Camping

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.