National Park Service · Cape Lookout National Seashore · NC

North Core Banks - Beach Camping

Anglers Vehicle Camping on North Core Banks

Photo · NPS Photo / Sabrina Godin

Not publishedStatus

First-comeAccess

The place

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.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

No reservation needed

First come,
first servedArrive early — popular areas fill by afternoon

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in NC-03. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard

North Core Banks - Beach Camping — North Carolina | CAMPANAC