Can you reserve a site at North Core Banks - Beach Camping?

No. North Core Banks - Beach Camping is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

North Core Banks - Beach Camping

Campground ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Cape Lookout National Seashore (National Seashore) · Open Access

4 ft
Elevation

Anglers Vehicle Camping on North Core Banks — Photo: NPS Photo / Sabrina Godin · Recreation.gov

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.

Getting there

Take a ferry from Atlantic, NC over to Long Point on South Core Banks. The barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore may only be reached by boat -- either your own boat or a ferry from the mainland.

34.89902, -76.25735 · 34°53'56.5"N 76°15'26.5"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 93°F in Jul, down to 62°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	62	63	69	77	84	90	93	91	87	79	70	64
Low °F	38	39	45	54	62	69	73	72	69	59	48	41
Precip in	4.6	3.7	3.9	3.6	4.3	4.4	6.7	8.0	7.1	4.5	4.1	4.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Bathhouse on North Core Banks — Photo: NPS Photo / Sabrina Godin · Recreation.gov

North Core Sign — Photo: NPS Photo / Sabrina Godin · Recreation.gov

Member photos

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Common questions about North Core Banks - Beach Camping

Can you reserve a site at North Core Banks - Beach Camping?: No. North Core Banks - Beach Camping is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near North Core Banks - Beach Camping

Long Point Cabin Camp 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Great Island Cabin Camp 13 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cape Lookout National Seashore Tours 21.3 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Ocracoke Campground 24.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cape Point Campground 30 mi · Campground · we watch it
Oyster Point Campground 30.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Great Island Cabin Office 13 mi · Facility
South Core Banks -- Beach camping 13 mi · Campground
Portsmouth Visitor Center 16.1 mi · Facility
Harkers Island Visitor Center 21.2 mi · Facility
Light Station Visitor Center 24.3 mi · Facility
Swanquarter Wilderness 38.5 mi · Facility

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Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.