Nearby Campgrounds
§ 02 — 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.
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.
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.
§ 03 — CONDITIONS
National Weather Service · seven-day outlook · updated hourly
§ 04 — SIGNAL
FCC broadband data · actual signal varies in remote terrain
§ 05—08 — FROM THE FIELD
Community Intel from visitors, written reviews, dated trip reports, and reader-submitted photographs.
§ 06 — REVIEWS
§ 07 — TRIP REPORTS
§ 08 — COMMUNITY PHOTOS
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 appreciation of diverse coastal habitats. Contact Info For local information, please call (252) 838-8950 or call (252) 725-0256 for general information.
Historic Portsmouth Village Portsmouth Village - Cape Lookout National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)
In the event of severe weather, including tropical storms or hurricanes, official park closures of the cabin camp will result in an automatic refund through Recreation.gov. Refunds for storm-related disruptions outside of official closures will follow the standard cancellation policy. Refund Requests: All refund requests must initially be processed through your account on Recreation.gov, by calling a Recreation.gov customer service representative at (877) 444-6777, or using an option listed at Recreation.gov Help Center. After submission, a member of the park’s management team will review the request and approve or deny it based on the published policies and terms of purchase.
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§ 01 — VITALS
AT&T
T-Mobile
Verizon
Based on FCC availability data. Actual signal may vary in remote terrain.
Tod
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny
13 to 21 mph SW
Sat
82°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
5 to 13 mph N
Sun
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
7 to 21 mph SW
Mon
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
14 mph SW
Tue
81°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
9 to 14 mph SW
Wed
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
6 to 12 mph SW
Thu
84°F
Mostly Sunny
12 to 26 mph SW