Great Island Cabin Camp
Great Island Cabin Camp sits on South Core Banks within Cape Lookout National Seashore, just off the North Carolina coast. This historic, remote camp has long been a favorite destination for fishermen and beachgoers. Because it is only accessible by water, visitors arrive either by personal boat or by reserving space on one of the vehicle ferries that cross scenic Core Sound to South Core Banks. 4WD, high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended due to deep sand on the Back Road and along the oceanside beaches. There are no paved roads on South Core Banks.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 23 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
23 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 50 | Oceanfront | 6 / 2 | Standard | |
| 002 | 50 | Oceanfront | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | 50 | Oceanfront | 8 / 2 | Standard | |
| 004 | 50 | Oceanfront | 8 / 2 | Standard | |
| 005 | 50 | Oceanfront | 6 / 2 | Standard | |
| 006 | 50 | Oceanfront | 8 / 2 | Standard | |
| 007 | 50 | Oceanfront | 8 / 2 | Standard | |
| 008 | 50 | Oceanfront | 8 / 2 | Standard | |
| 011 | 50 | Oceanfront | 8 / 2 | Standard | |
| 012 | 50 | Oceanfront | 8 / 2 | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Dark sky | Inside Cape Lookout National Seashore, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
| Accessibility | Site 002 is listed accessible |
Great Island Cabin Camp offers 23 rustic beachfront cabins, each with a porch and space for individuals, families, or small groups of up to 12. Cabins range from 288 to 960 sq. ft. and Cabin 2 is accessible. All units are wired for guest-supplied generators (5,500 watts max or equipped with a GFI), which are needed for electricity. Each cabin includes bunk beds with mattresses, a private bathroom with a sink and shower, hot water, a table and chairs, and a small kitchen with cabinets and a propane stove/oven. Refrigerators are not provided. An outdoor grill is located beside each cabin, and additional bathhouse facilities are centrally located in camp. Guests must bring their own linens, bedding, cookware, food, coolers, first-aid supplies, and any other necessities. Most visitors also pack flashlights or lanterns. Ice and fuel are available at the camp office.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From NC-101, Havelock, NC 28532 to Davis, NC 28524 Ferry Landing. 41 min (33.3 miles). via NC-101 E and US-70 E. Head east on NC-101 E toward Cunningham Blvd. 18 min (15.7 mi). Take Merrimon Rd to US-70 E/Hwy 70 Bettie. 6 min (4.7 mi). Follow US-70 E to Horseshoe Rd in Davis. 16 min (12.6 mi). Continue on Horseshoe Rd. Drive to Grady Davis Ln.
| Nearest town | Harkers Island, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 34.7606° N, 76.4122° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- An Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Driving Permit is required and must be purchased on Recreation.gov before your trip.
Charges and cancellations
Refunds resulting from storm closures will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 13.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Kitty Hawk Kites ↗ | 14.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 38.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Cape Lookout National Seashore- Great Island Cabin Camp Review
Public land it sits in
Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge begins about 10.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 10.9 miCedar Island National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 14,360 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Carteret County HomeBuilding · Beaufort · 13.6 mi
- Gibbs HouseBuilding · Beaufort · 14.1 mi
- Old Burying GroundSite · Beaufort · 14.6 mi
Natural features
Cape Lookout National Seashore stretches like a slender ribbon of sand between Ocracoke Inlet and Beaufort Inlet. Spanning 56 miles, these wild barrier islands offer a rare, untouched coastal landscape—wide, windswept beaches backed by low, grass-topped dunes, open salt-spray flats edged with thickets of maritime vegetation, and broad, shimmering salt marshes along Core Sound. It’s a place where the scenery is simple, natural, and beautifully unspoiled.
Recreation
The park’s sweeping sandy beaches invite visitors to fish, explore, beachcomb for shells, swim, watch coastal birds, or simply unwind in a place that still feels wild. Many anglers consider spring and fall at Cape Lookout to offer some of the finest fishing on the entire Atlantic Coast. For paddlers, Cape Lookout is a dream. With 112 miles of uninhabited shoreline—from calm, glassy sound side waters to exhilarating surf—this seashore has become one of the premier kayaking destinations in the Mid-Atlantic. Whether you’re seeking peaceful solitude or an adventurous workout, the waterways here offer unforgettable experiences. The park’s sweeping sandy beaches invite visitors to fish, explore, beachcomb for shells, swim, watch coastal birds, or simply unwind in a place that still feels wild. Many anglers consider spring and fall at Cape Lookout to offer some of the finest fishing on the entire Atlantic Coast.
Nearby
- Top Attractions Within Cape Lookout National Seashore
- 1. Cape Lookout Lighthouse (South Core Banks)
- The iconic black-and-white “diamond” lighthouse.
- Great for photography, picnics, and exploring the light station area.
- 2. Cape Lookout Village Historic District
- Restored historic buildings, including the Keepers’ Quarters Museum.
- Scenic walking paths through a preserved coastal community.
- 3. Shackleford Banks (West of South Core Banks)
- Home of the famous wild Banker horses.
- Excellent beachcombing, shelling, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing.
- Accessible by passenger ferry from Beaufort or Harkers Island.
- 4. Portsmouth Village (North Core Banks)
- A preserved 19th-century village with walking trails, museum buildings, and marsh views.
- Accessible by ferry from Ocracoke.
- 5. South Core Banks & North Core Banks Beaches
- Miles of undeveloped shoreline for fishing, swimming, shelling, and exploring.
- Known for some of the best surf fishing on the East Coast.
- 6. Kayaking & Paddle Routes
- Calm sound side waters for beginners.
- Challenging surf for experienced paddlers.
Guidebooks for North Carolina
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains-To-Sea TrailFriends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Jim Grode, 2020Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Great Island Cabin Camp?
Sites at Great Island Cabin Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Great Island Cabin Camp?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Great Island Cabin Camp have?
25 sites, including 23 cabins.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Great Island Cabin Camp?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Great Island Cabin Camp?
Each cabin includes bunk beds with mattresses, a private bathroom with a sink and shower, hot water, a table and chairs, and a small kitchen with cabinets and a propane stove/oven.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Great Island Cabin Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Great Island Cabin Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Great Island Cabin Camp?
Site 002 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Great Island Cabin Camp good for stargazing?
Yes. Great Island Cabin Camp sits inside Cape Lookout National Seashore, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
Is there cell service at Great Island Cabin Camp?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Great Island Cabin Camp?
The park’s sweeping sandy beaches invite visitors to fish, explore, beachcomb for shells, swim, watch coastal birds, or simply unwind in a place that still feels wild. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Great Island Cabin Camp?
Harkers Island, North Carolina. Top Attractions Within Cape Lookout National Seashore
Source: Getting there
What if Great Island Cabin Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are South Core Banks -- Beach Camping (under 0.1 mi, first-come), North Core Banks - Beach Camping (13 mi, first-come), and Oyster Point Campground (19.8 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby