Great Island Cabin Camp
2Heads uppark alerts
We don’t think it should be. Every campground should hold some sites for whoever drives up.Tell your representative →
- Right now
- Taking bookingsSites offered on 30 of the next 30 nights read 16:16 UTC
- Sites
- 2523 on recreation.gov
The place
the agency’s own description · what’s there · 1 notices
In the agency’s own words
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. An Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Driving Permit is required and must be purchased on Recreation.gov before your trip. Upon arrival, present your proof of purchase to staff at the Great Island Cabin Camp Office, and they will issue the appropriate decal for your vehicle. Keep reading
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.
Facilities
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.
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.
Nearby Attractions
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. 112 miles of shoreline to explore. 7. Birdwatching Hotspots Excellent year-round birding: terns, plovers, oystercatchers, herons, and migratory species. Prime viewing in spring and fall. 🐬 Nearby Mainland Attractions 1. Harkers Island Visitor Center (Gateway to the Park) Exhibits, Junior Ranger program, park film, bookstore. Ferry departure points to Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks. 2. Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center (Harkers Island) Celebrates decoy carving, fishing culture, and Down East heritage. Great views from the observation tower. 3. Beaufort Historic District & Waterfront Charming coastal town with shops, restaurants, and maritime history. Water tours and wild horse cruises. Home to: North Carolina Maritime Museum Rachel Carson Reserve (wildlife area across the channel) 4. Ocracoke Village (Near North Core Banks) Accessible by state ferry. Small, historic village with shops, restaurants, beaches, and the Ocracoke Lighthouse. 5. Fort Macon State Park (Atlantic Beach) Restored Civil War fort. Swimming beaches, trails, and ranger programs.
Charges & Cancellations
Please note: Customers who cancel a cabin reservation less than 14 days prior to the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Refunds resulting from storm closures will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
What the agency tells you
Getting to and from Great Island Cabin Camp requires either a personal boat or vehicle ferry service departing from Davis, North Carolina: Cape Lookout Cabin & Camps Ferry Service. Vehicle ferry reservations are required. Because of deep sand on the Back Road and oceanside beaches, 4WD, high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended. There are no paved roads on South Core Banks. An Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Driving Permit must be purchased on Recreation.gov before arrival. Upon reaching the island, present your proof of payment at the Great Island Cabin Camp Office, where staff will issue your vehicle decal. 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 handicapped 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. To ensure safe conditions for all guests, cabin occupants must check out by 10:00 a.m., and incoming guests may not check in before 2:00 p.m. This allows staff adequate time to clean and disinfect cabins between stays. Thank you for your cooperation. Office hours are 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. If arriving after 3:00 p.m., call (252) 725-0256 during business hours so staff can arrange for a volunteer to greet you or ensure your you have a cabin door code. Camping in tents within the cabin camp is not permitted, though families (not groups) may obtain a permit allowing minors to stay in up to two tents outside the cabin. Hunting is prohibited in the Great Island Cabin Areas. For information on permitted hunting zones on the islands, please contact the Visitor and Resource Protection division. All North Carolina hunting regulations apply. Firewood Notice: To help protect coastal forests, obtain firewood locally and burn it on-site. Transporting firewood can spread harmful pests and is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
Tents and rigs
- Sites
- 25 · 23 cabin
- Hookups
- None
- Longest rig
- 35 ft
- Accessible sites
- 1
- Pets
- Allowed
Facilities
- Toilets
- Flush Toilets - seasonal
- Showers
- Yes, the record doesn’t say what kind
- Shower/Bath Type states a shower on all 25 of this campground's campsite records
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- recreation.gov lists “Dump Station”
Around the campground
- On the water
- Beach, Coast
- Beach Camping
- Beachcombing
- Boating
- Clam Digging
- Crabbing
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic site
- Hunting
- Kayaking
- Paddling
- Sea Kayaking
- Stargazing
Full this Saturdayread 16:16 UTC
How full the weekend is nationally.
OpenBooked
Every one of the 23 sites on offer is taken this Saturday. 7 are free on Mon, Oct 19. read 16:16 UTC Why the weekend fills and the week doesn’t
Watch for a cancellation
Watch this campground
One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
Tell me when the season opens
Watch for the season to open
One email when the season goes on sale, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We check once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time the agency has that season on sale.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.
Every line of the receipt · 12
What you actually pay
“Please note: Customers who cancel a cabin reservation less than 14 days prior to the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.” · this campground’s own terms
Who keeps the booking fee
The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →
How we know this receipt · 6
recreation.gov availability, read 16:16 UTC · rules read Oct 1, 2026 · rates Oct 1, 2026 · How we know all this
The sites
25 sites · which ones have room · the site map
The sites, ranked
from 23 mapped sitesAll 25 sites
Toilet distances are OpenStreetMap’s, measured for 25 of the 25 sites listed. A site with no reading is unknown, never far.
The price is derived by CAMPANAC, not published per site: the per-night rate this campground publishes for each site’s own site type. 23 of the 25 sites listed carry one, and a site whose type has no published rate sits out of the price rather than being called free.
| GI | 001 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 136 ft | 2,139 ft | 2,449 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 002 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | yes | 136 ft | 2,040 ft | 2,318 ft | $80–$180 |
| GI | 003 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 136 ft | 1,905 ft | 2,183 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 004 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 148 ft | 1,700 ft | 1,978 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 005 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 148 ft | 1,554 ft | 1,835 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 006 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 92 ft | 1,405 ft | 1,684 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 007 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 92 ft | 1,313 ft | 1,595 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 008 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 149 ft | 1,171 ft | 1,447 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 009 | type not stated | 35 ft | 545 ft | 790 ft | |||
| GI | 010 | type not stated | 35 ft | 530 ft | 777 ft | |||
| GI | 011 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 118 ft | 812 ft | 1,085 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 012 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 118 ft | 703 ft | 991 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 013 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 114 ft | 390 ft | 664 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 014 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 114 ft | 282 ft | 552 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 015 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 127 ft | 170 ft | 411 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 016 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 127 ft | 59 ft | 298 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 017 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 136 ft | 49 ft | 189 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 018 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 91 ft | 38 ft | 257 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 019 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 91 ft | 71 ft | 308 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 020 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 209 ft | 26 ft | 300 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 021 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 42 ft | 232 ft | 433 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 022 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 42 ft | 269 ft | 473 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 023 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 111 ft | 442 ft | 678 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 024 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 111 ft | 552 ft | 787 ft | $80–$180 | |
| GI | 026 | cabin nonelectric | 35 ft | 274 ft | 684 ft | 1,060 ft | $80–$180 |
Getting there
the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Where it is
South Core Banks -- Beach campingCape Lookout National Seashore · 0.0 mi
North Core Banks - Beach CampingCape Lookout National Seashore · 13 mi
Long Point Cabin CampCape Lookout National Seashore · 13 mi
Oyster Point CampgroundCroatan National Forest · 20 mi
Flanners Beach CampgroundCroatan National Forest · 34 mi
Ocracoke CampgroundCape Hatteras National Seashore · 37 miFrom 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
The weather
the next four days · the thirty-year normal
Next four days, and the thirty-year normal
Forecast
NWS forecast for Davis, NC
Typical weather
Typical October night 57°F, day 75°F.
Coldest month of the year: typical January night 38°F. Bring the bag rated for it.
Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more
A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.
The land, and who answers for it
who answers for it · a letter you can send
Who answers for this land
Great Island Cabin Camp is in North Carolina’s 3rd congressional district. Its representative, Greg Murphy (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →
Who can change it · 4
Two offices, two different asks. The draft to the agency asks it to set aside a published share of the sites here for whoever drives up. The draft to Congress asks why that share is zero and presses for a published minimum at the campgrounds it funds.
- The office that runs itCape Lookout National SeashoreNational Park Service unit
- The member who votes the moneyGregory F. MurphyU.S. Representative · North Carolina’s 3rd district
No contact form we could verify, so that link is their own site. Contact is inside it. Washington office: 202-225-3415.
- Your senator, on the same appropriationTed BuddU.S. Senator · North Carolina
- Your senator, on the same appropriationThom TillisU.S. Senator · North Carolina
Read the draft, or change the wording
For the camper who turned up, or tried to book, and couldn’t get in. Every draft is written from this campground’s own record (its agency, its unit, its site count and its own weekend) and the buttons above copy whichever wording is selected here.
Asks the National Park Service to set aside a published share of the sites here for whoever drives up, and to post what that share is.
Subject Hold back a share of sites at Great Island Cabin Camp for campers who drive up
To the National Park Service, Cape Lookout National Seashore: I tried to camp at Great Island Cabin Camp in North Carolina and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 23 of the 25 campsites the agency files at Great Island Cabin Camp, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 23 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Great Island Cabin Camp keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m asking for one specific thing: set aside a published share of the sites at Great Island Cabin Camp as first-come, first-served, and post what that share is so it can be checked. Somebody who drives up has no way in, and no way to find out whether they might have had one. Sent about Great Island Cabin Camp (Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Great Island Cabin Camp, Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
Dear Gregory F. Murphy, I’m a constituent in North Carolina’s 3rd district. I tried to camp at Great Island Cabin Camp, Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina, and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 23 of the 25 campsites the agency files at Great Island Cabin Camp, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 23 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Great Island Cabin Camp keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Great Island Cabin Camp. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Great Island Cabin Camp (Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Great Island Cabin Camp, Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
Dear Ted Budd, I’m a constituent in North Carolina. I tried to camp at Great Island Cabin Camp, Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina, and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 23 of the 25 campsites the agency files at Great Island Cabin Camp, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 23 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Great Island Cabin Camp keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Great Island Cabin Camp. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Great Island Cabin Camp (Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Great Island Cabin Camp, Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
Dear Thom Tillis, I’m a constituent in North Carolina. I tried to camp at Great Island Cabin Camp, Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina, and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 23 of the 25 campsites the agency files at Great Island Cabin Camp, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 23 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Great Island Cabin Camp keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Great Island Cabin Camp. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Great Island Cabin Camp (Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina) via campanac.com