We all love roasting marshmallows over a campfire—and you can often still do that while cabin camping in Gloucester. Finding a cozy cabin in North Carolina has never been easier. When you're looking for a quiet location in nature, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect cabin rental.
Great Island Cabin Camp is located on South Core Banks within beautiful Cape Lookout National Seashore just off the mainland of North Carolina. The historic camp has been a favorite of fisherman and beach goers for many years. The camp can only be reached by boat, adding an element of both privacy and adventure. Visitors can travel by personal boats or reserve a spot on the vehicle ferry, which cruises across scenic Core Sound to South Core Banks and the Great Island Cabin Camp. 4WD, high clearance vehicles are strongly recommended due to deep sand on the Back Road and the oceanside beaches. There are NO paved roads on North or South Core Banks. An Off-Road Vehicle Driving Permit is required and must be purchased from Recreation.gov prior to arrival. Once you arrive on the island, show proof of payment for the Off-Road Vechicle Driving Permit to the park staff at the Great Island Cabin Camp Office or law enforcement Rangers/staff on North Core Banks, and they will issue you the corresponding decal for your vehicle.
The park's sandy beaches are a prime location for fishing, exploring, beachcombing/shelling, swimming, birding or simply relaxing. Spring and fall at Cape Lookout offer what many consider to be some of the best fishing on the Atlantic Coast. Kayaking is a popular activity at the park. With 112 miles of uninhabited shoreline ranging from docile sound to pounding surf, Cape Lookout National Seashore has become one of the premier paddling destinations on the Mid-Atlantic Coast.
Cape Lookout National Seashore is a low, narrow ribbon of sand running from Ocracoke Inlet to Beaufort Inlet. At 56 miles long, these barrier islands consist mainly of bare beaches with low dunes covered by scattered grasses, flat grasslands bordered by dense vegetation and large expanses of salt marsh along the sound.
Cape Lookout Lighthouse, historic Cape Village
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.
$80 - $180 / night
Cedar Creek Campground and Marina is your perfect coastal getaway. Nestled along serene waters, our family-friendly retreat offers everything you need for a memorable outdoor adventure. Enjoy convenient access to our private boat ramp, ideal for exploring the waterways. Relax by our sparkling pool or unwind in one of our spacious tent sites surrounded by nature. For RV enthusiasts, we provide full hookup sites with all the amenities you require. Whether you're fishing, boating, or simply soaking in the coastal charm, Cedar Creek Campground and Marina is your home away from home on the Carolina coast."
$25 - $75 / night
Located along North Carolina's Crystal Coast, Goose Creek RV Resort family campground is conveniently located on Bogue Sound along the Intracoastal Waterway. Goose Creek RV Resort is only minutes away from the ocean by land or by water. This Crystal Coast RV resort offers a serene atmosphere in what may be one of only a very few undisturbed beach vacation spots left. Lack of any high density commercialization offers our campers a true family atmosphere. Your trip to Goose Creek RV Resort will occupy you with a large choice of activities offered at Encore's Crystal Coast RV resort throughout the year. Goose Creek RV Resort borders waters that are known for some of the best saltwater fishing anywhere. A Crystal Coast RV resort in a serene and undisturbed beach vacation spot Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Goose Creek RV & Camping Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
**Due to the amount of damage inflicted by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019, Long Point Cabins are not available. Please check the Current Conditions page on the park website for status.**. Long Point Cabin Camp is located on North Core Banks within beautiful Cape Lookout National Seashore just off the mainland of North Carolina. The historic camp has been a favorite of fisherman and beach goers for many years. The camp can only be reached by boat, adding both privacy and adventure to the trip. Visitors can cross scenic Core Sound to North Core Banks in their personal boat or use the vehicle ferry to bring their personal vehicles across for driving the oceanside beaches.
The park's sandy beaches are a prime location for fishing, exploring, shelling, swimming, birding and simply relaxing. Spring and fall at Cape Lookout offer what many consider to be some of the best fishing on the Atlantic Coast. Kayaking is a popular activity at the park. With 112 miles of uninhabited shoreline ranging from docile sound to pounding surf, Cape Lookout National Seashore has become one of the premier paddling destinations on the Mid-Atlantic Coast.
Cape Lookout National Seashore is a low, narrow ribbon of sand running from Ocracoke Inlet on the northeast side to Beaufort Inlet on the southwest side. At 56 miles long, these barrier islands consist mainly of bare beaches with low dunes covered by scattered grasses, flat grasslands bordered by dense vegetation and large expanses of salt marsh along the sound.
Historic Portsmouth Village
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.
$112 - $145 / night
Nestled on the tranquil banks of the Neuse River and minutes from historic downtown New Bern, this quiet campground is the perfect setting for a peaceful retreat. Enjoy a day of fishing or watch a beautiful sunset from the 100-foot pier. The boat slips, ramp, kayaks and paddleboats welcome campers who yearn to get out on the water. A catch-and-release fish pond and a group-outings pavilion round out this haven for extended relaxation. The kids can enjoy our playground with a jump pad & swing set. New to our campground is our Gem Mine and Gaga Ball. Browse the many antique shops and boutiques in North Carolina's second-oldest city. Step into the past at Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens, the former state capitol, historically regarded as the most beautiful public building in Colonial America. Pool: May 1 - October 1. Max pull thru: 128 feet.
Cape Point Campground sites have a shortened reservation window. Due to the ground saturation and potential for flooding we encourage you to check the sites prior to paying. Cape Point Campground is centrally located to all of the attractions on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The campground puts you within walking distance of arguably the best fishing and surfing on the east coast.
A short walk through the dunes leads you to the beach at the infamous Cape Hatteras. Many trophy fish have been landed from the point, and it has been a surfing destination for decades. If you prefer to drive to the beach you can access one of the many off-road vehicle ramps within a short distance of the campground. Exploration of the barrier islands beyond their beaches is possible on a hike through the nearby maritime forest. The Buxton Woods Trail is a 3/4 mile loop that can be accessed just north of the campground at the Buxton Woods Picnic Area on Lighthouse Road.
The campground is nestled between rolling dunes to the south and the largest remaining tract of maritime forest on the North Carolina coast to the north. The environment is naturally suited to accommodate many bird and mammal species. A large heard of white tail deer frequent the area.
The iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is located just north of Cape Point Campground on Lighthouse Road next to the Visitor Center. Standing at 198 feet, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. It has undoubtedly saved the lives of many mariners navigating around the treacherous Diamond Shoals. The Museum of the Sea is also located near the Visitor Center within the shadow of the lighthouse. The museum's operating hours vary with the season.Buxton Beach is a family friendly swimming destination staffed with lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It is a short walk or bike ride from the campground. Parking is available at the old lighthouse site adjacent to the current location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
For facility specific information, please call (252) 475-9054.
$20 / night
White Oak Shores Camping & RV Resort sits along North Carolina's pristine Crystal Coast. Surrounded by the tranquil, flowing waters of White Oak River and set amongst coastal marshes, this resort offers guests peaceful surroundings and a perfect 'base camp' for exploring the many attractions of this beautiful area! North Carolina's Pristine Crystal Coast
White Oak Shores Camping & RV Resort sits along North Carolina's pristine Crystal Coast. Surrounded by the tranquil, flowing waters of White Oak River and set amongst coastal marshes, this resort offers guests peaceful surroundings and a perfect 'base camp' for exploring the many attractions of this beautiful area!
Welcome to The Lakes, North Carolina’s newest RV park, campground and cabin resort, nestled along the picturesque shores of Misty Morning, Cypress, and White Oak Lakes. Just 20 miles from the stunning Emerald Isle and the pristine beaches of the Crystal Coast, our serene location invites you to experience the beauty of nature while just minutes from the many attractions and services in the area. Our three lakes are an ideal location for fishing and boating.
We are open year round and also offer Cabin rentals, and park model sales. All of our sites are full hook-up with; 50/30/20 amp electric service, water, sewer, streaming capable Wi-Fi included, picnic table and fire ring. Whether you want to stay a day, a week, or the whole year, we have a site for you! Phase 1 amenities include; Pool, 2 lakes, White Oak River access, and walking trails.
$49 - $99 / night
Ranger
New Bern is a really wonderful little town on the coast of NC and this KOA is close to all the action. I really enjoyed our stay and the local town. We stayed in a camping cabin that overlooked the little pond area. The bathrooms were nice and clean and cabins were nicely appointed.
Guide
What a hidden gem! Cabins are clean but very rustic - bathroom, bunkbeds (with clean and comfy mattresses), gas stove, stink, platic table and chairs, and a porch - just straight up fishing cabins, nothing fancy. But they are situated directly behind the dunes from miles and miles of totally prestine beaches. The only on-island supplies are ice and gasoline, so you must pack in everything. Tap water is potable but tastes very desalinated, so bottled water is recommended. If you crave isolation and wide open spaces - dont miss this gorgeous place! Be sure to bleed your tire PSI all the way down to 18 and drive 10 miles down the dune road to the lighthouse. Totally dreamy and not to be missed!
Traveler
If you are looking for beaches that aren't covered with people, you may have a hard time finding something no matter what state you live in. Luckily, North Carolina has some amazing beaches on the Outer Banks, and Long Point Cabin area should definitely be on your list of spots to check out. Since this area is on a small barrier island, you have to take a ferry to reach the cabins. Because of this you, and the other temporary residents of these cabins, have the island all to yourselves.
Being located far from any truly habited land comes with some benefits and issues. If you are looking for empty beaches, lots of outdoor activities (fishing, hiking, shelling, kayaking, etc.), and clear skies to view the stars at night, this is the campground for you. The downfall to this seclusion, though, is that you have to bring all of your necessities and recreational gear with you on the ferry. With an off-road vehicle, this will be no big deal. But if you don't have that luxury, you will be carrying your stuff back and forth on the back of a cart driven by one of the NPS staff. You also don't have any access to convenient stores for forgotten stuff or drinkable water. So be prepared before you head out to the island.
Although the cabins are a bit older, they are still great for your stay here. They all have a porch with rocking chairs to be able to soak up all of the island sun and breeze you can on your trip. They also each have their own private bathrooms and kitchen, so you don't have to worry about sharing with your neighbors.
I actually decided to set up my tent for the first night since it was so beautiful outside, but that required a lot of clearing an area in the sand for my tent since the send is covered in broken shells. This was a bit of a chore, but was so worth it when I fell asleep under the stars that night. Also be prepared for changing weather. As nice as it was the first day, I had to take down my tent the next day due to the harsh winds and rainstorm. Once that cleared up, though, the weather was back to being as beautiful as before.
Pros
Cons
ScoutCabins are rustic, but fully accommodating with kitchen conveniences. Get there by ferry or boat! I sailed over while the group brought their 4 wheel drive vehicle on the ferry. Feels like a world away from populated beaches. Built a fire on the beach at night, sailed and fished the Core Sound by day. We called it the "down-east hilton" cabin and loved every minute!
RangerTook our ORVs on the ferry to the island and stayed in a cabin. The cabins come in different sizes but none have power. They have huts for generators to sit in to help with the noise. We brought a window a/c unit and it kept the place cool (highly recommend) had water, shower, toilet and gas kitchen. We rode our 4 wheelers down the 30+ mile beach. On one end of the island there's a historic museum like town and light house.
TravelerWell maintained, sites are level and spacious, cabins are very nice, lots of activities for families.
GuideVery family friendly, pool, nice clean sites, cabins, clean shower rooms, tons of activities for the kids and the staff are amazing!
LegendI think this is only the third time I have stayed at a cabin at a campground, and it was all right but I like tent camping better. Because of the intense heat and health concerns, we chose to stay in a cabin here. I wish I had taken more pictures of the campground, but my buddy(seen in the photos) and I are photographers who look for scenes of beauty. It’s not that the campground was not“pretty,” but when you are this close to New Bern, there are better things to photograph. There’s Tryon Palace, Union Point Park, the historic Confederate cemetery, the fireman’s museum, the Pepsi Cola museum(New Bern is where Pepsi was born), etc. The New Bern KOA is perfect in every way. The sites are large with full hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV, etc. It has all the amenities of a top notch campground that you would expect from KOA. I have stayed at several KOA campgrounds, and they all seem to have the oversized chess; and I have never seen anyone playing it with seriousness. They have two pools, a pavilion, a bouncer… and I could go on and on. IF you want to spend your time at the campground, there is so much to do that you don’t need to go anywhere else… HOWEVER… Did I mention New Bern and Tryon Palace? You can’t come this close to New Bern and not go to Tryon Palace. The campground is located on the shores of the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers. Since they join here, you seem as if you are closer to the ocean. It looks more like a bay. There is a really nice pier at the campground beach for fishing, and the KOA here has outdoor boat rentals. There is also horseshoes, pedal bike rentals… Did I mention there is also New Bern and Tryon Palace? Seriously, the New Bern KOA is about the best campground at which I have stayed, but my buddy had never been to New Bern. There was more to see. If you go, make sure to make reservations. New Bern is a historic town with lots of vacationers during the summer. Looking for something to eat? My favorite place to eat in New Bern was Captain Ratty’s, which has great clam chowder. However, New Bern has lots of other great places to eat as well. The downtown area is also a great area for shopping. Back to the campground… the first time I stayed at the New Bern KOA was over thirty years ago, but it has grown in size and amenities. Now, it is more like a resort than a simple campground.
TravelerGreat Island has become my family's favorite places, having The Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Core Sound on the other of this narrow barrier island is our paradise, It is boat in only and only 4 wheel drive accessible, no paved roads. You can camp on the beach or stay in one of the NPS cabins. Abundant wildlife, empty beaches, our kind of heaven in the summer months, hot fishing spot in the fall.
GuideThis was a very nice, well maintained campground. The staff were extremely polite and helpful. We stayed from Aug 11-14, 2020. The pool was nice on a hot humid day. They have gem mining. You buy the bags of dirt in the camp store. The bathhouses are all very new due to a recent hurricane and they were kept clean. The dock/pier was picture perfect as the sunset over the Neuse river. The playground and jump pad looked like they would be a lot of fun but were closed due to Covid 19 restrictions. They had horseshoes and Gaga-ball that were open. They had 2 fenced in dog parks and a dog washing station. We chose this campground for it’s location near historical downtown New Bern and we would definitely recommend it to others. They have RV sites, tent sites and cabins.
LegendBut we did camp along the beach on the island.
I've stayed here on two separate occasions both with larger groups of people. There's plenty of real estate and no need to worry about being on top of one another. There are limited facilities (a few vault toilets and a covered pavilion). You can seek shelter indoors at the Light Keepers quarters during the high season (regular business hours) if needed. There are several boardwalks that meander around the island and numerous sandy paths connecting the sound side to the ocean side.
There is a large raccoon population on the island so store your food and water accordingly. We did experience a raccoon running off with a dry bag full go food that wasn't secured to a permanent structure. It can be buggy if there's not much wind, but generally there is a breeze blowing across the island.
If you don't have your own personal water craft to get to the island, you can take a private ferry to the island. There are several companies that offer reasonably priced tickets to and from the island.
Again, this isn't a review for the cabins here per se, but relevant in that there is more camping available.
Traveler
We stayed from Fri to Sun and we enjoyed every moment we stayed. Caught fish and enjoyed the pool. And the golf cart rental was awesome too
GuideNot bad this is called a holiday one but I would say this is more like a journey one it doesn't seem very resort-like.
Bathrooms: 5/5
Sites: 4/5 upgrades are nice but really expensive for just a concrete pad next to someone else
Pools: 3/5 they have one but it's pretty meh. Like a 70s motel 8 pool.
Beach: 2/5 there is an inlet beach and a pier but it's like marshy Mudd not sandy beach
Waterfrontness: 0/5
Closeness to other sites: 1/5 you are up each other's buttcracks
Dog rating: 4/5 plenty of poop bags
Internet: 2/5 no wifi and no hookups but our AT&T router worked
Cell service: Google fi and ATnT worked
Water quality: 1/5 potable but tastes gross
Extra amenities: they have a shuttle some seasons. It was not here during October so who knows. Bike rentals Kayak rental Laundry Host station
Legend
Campground is 1 of the 4 within the Cape Hatteras Nat’l Seashore. Cost here is only $20/night (the others are $28). No hookups available, but there is a dump station and potable water fill on your way out. Cell service is good. The walk to the beach is a bit long, maybe about 1/2 mile or so.
We stayed here for a night in early November and the place was nearly empty. There were one or two campers per loop, so the campground was nice and open and quiet. I think that during the busy season it would be an unpleasant stay, as the sites are all right next to each other, side by side, just big grassy area. Sites are large though, which was nice.
We didn’t use the showers but I believe they are cold showers. The set up is almost like an outdoor shower, with a short door and a pull rope for the water. Watch out for spiny sand spurs (?) that stick in your dog’s paws and your socks- very painful and they’re all over the grassy areas.
Sites must be reserved through recreation.gov. It was easy to pull up with no reservation, pick a site, then reserve and pay online. No service fee through this site.
No wood fires allowed here. Each site has a picnic table and grill, nothing else.
Dumpsters available, but no recycling bins. Not sure if North Carolina segregates recycling after pickup.
GuideCamping on Portsmouth Island is about as off-the-grid as I’ve ever been! We went in early October and had the beach to ourself, as far as the eye could see. The (abandoned) Village of Portsmouth is a must see! Bring lots of bug spray... the mosquitos are relentless!
Guide
We stayed here 1 night before getting on the ferry to Okracoke. The owner was very accommodating with a last minute reservation on a holiday weekend.
We arrived late but the sites are adequately lit to pull into the spot. The spots are a little small but we had more than enough room for our 18 TT and truck.
The roads on the property are a little rough and could use some grading, but they have obviously had some bad weather recently that hasn't helped.
There aren't a ton of amenities but this would be an awesome spot if you have a boat. There is a marina with gas on site. The ramp is small but there is plenty of trailer parking.
The tent spots are a little more exposed than I would like, but the view of the marsh from that area is spectacular.
We didn't fish during our stay but the small pier would be great to keep the kids entertained with pinfish.
Pool was closed when we stayed.
GuideNice laid back atmosphere. Great amenities such as swimming pool, basketball court, boat ramp and docks. Great fishing at Ophelia Inlet.
ScoutQuiet campground, great views of the ocean and Marsh.
Close to the Morris Marina, Davis, and Ocracoke ferry. Easy access to the Outer and Core banks.
Scoutnice...
Traveler
Very nice place,well keep,nice paved streets,nice boat ramps,nice piers,nice laundry room, good cell service. WiFi available for $$$ more,cable 👎👎👎 Wanted to stay for a month but only had 21 days opening. $1800 👎
GuideThis is a great campground if you don’t want to be far off the main road or by yourself. It is bustling with activity and people and everyone was very nice! The pool is amazing! The slide is so fun! It has 3ft all the way to 6ft roped off sections in the pool! Lots of year round permanent residence with some super cute homes. There is a lake in the middle. The gate closes at 4 and you must have a pass to open it. Very nice place! 
GuideMust go
ScoutWe enjoyed our stay at Goose Creek! Beautiful area, great family atmosphere and clean facilities. The pool is awesome! Great location, can’t wait to come back!
GuideNice overnight stay RV Campground new with no shade Very clean Beautiful river but not walking distance from campground Staff friendly I’d say much better in the early spring or fall
RangerThis is one of the closest campgrounds for civilians to visit the Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville, NC areas. The facilities are nice with numerous things to do, primarily focused towards the fact that the majority of this campground is permanent residents. The campground extends to the water with good fishing available. We stayed here in a motorhome.
GuideMy wife and I spent a few days here while searching the area for potential retirement location. It's also a seasonal campground. Bathrooms were spotless, beautiful pool and a nice little waterslide for the kids. Our site was right on water with a great view of the sunset. The barrier Island's are only 5 minute ride over the bridge
Scout
We stayed in spot w33 which had a beautiful view of the water and plenty of space to stretch out behind the RV. The staff was always friendly and quick to help out was anything we needed.
Experience the charm of cabin camping near Gloucester, North Carolina, where you can immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the comforts of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Gloucester, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Gloucester, NC is Great Island Cabin Camp — Cape Lookout National Seashore with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Gloucester, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 cabin camping locations near Gloucester, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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