Best Dispersed Camping near Morehead City, NC

Dispersed camping near Morehead City, North Carolina concentrates in two main areas: Croatan National Forest and Cape Lookout National Seashore. Croatan National Forest permits primitive camping throughout its boundaries with several popular areas around Great Lake. Cape Lookout National Seashore offers beach camping along South Core Banks, accessible only by ferry or private boat. These public lands provide opportunities for visitors seeking a primitive camping experience away from developed facilities and crowds.

Access to Croatan National Forest dispersed sites varies significantly, with many forest roads damaged by hurricanes. Several roads remain closed or require high-clearance 4WD vehicles to navigate. Concrete barriers block some paths, forcing visitors to find alternative camping spots. Cape Lookout beach camping requires planning for boat transportation, and a $25 permit is needed for overnight beach driving. Both areas lack amenities such as potable water, electrical hookups, or sanitary facilities. Camping in Croatan is free, while Cape Lookout has associated ferry and permit costs.

The dispersed camping experience varies dramatically between the two locations. Croatan National Forest features pine forests, wetlands, and natural lakes in a swampy ecosystem. "This is not a 'campground' per se, but rather a large area of national forest where dispersed camping is allowed. This is about as close to nature as it gets," a visitor commented about Croatan. Wildlife includes alligators, bears, and abundant insects. Cape Lookout offers a completely different experience with beachfront camping. "Camp anywhere you want, just stay off the dunes," notes one camper about South Core Banks. The island environment features wild horses, sea turtles, and unobstructed ocean views. Weather conditions can be severe in both locations, with strong winds on the beach and persistent insects in the forest.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Morehead City, North Carolina (4)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Morehead City, NC

16 Photos of 4 Morehead City Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Morehead City, NC

15 Reviews of 4 Morehead City Campgrounds


  • Virginia W.
    Jun. 21, 2020

    Great Lake Dispersed Site - Croatan National Forest

    Not a “campground”, dispersed camping areas

    This is not a”campground” per se, but rather a large area of national forest where dispersed camping is allowed. This is about as close to nature as it gets! All primitive camping, no amenities at all. Beautiful natural surroundings. Watch out for snakes and alligators!

  • Carina F.
    Mar. 28, 2022

    Great Lake Dispersed Site - Croatan National Forest

    Primitive

    Dispersed camping deep in the national forest. A native long leaf pine forest in a swampy alligator habitat with some nice lakes. Lots of roads closed from hurricane damage, so don't trust Google maps. The dirt roads were not maintained and ridiculously bumpy and unmanageable for smaller cars. There are alligators, bears, way too many ticks, mosquitos and a ridiculous amount of shotgun shells. It definitely felt dangerous. Would not recommend tent camping, but great for an RV if you can figure out where to park.

  • UThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2018

    Great Lake Dispersed Site - Croatan National Forest

    Mostly pocosin and wet lands

    Lots of trails and beautiful pines. Pitcher plants and Venus fly traps, Camp any where you want, Bring everything because it is not a campground as such. Wilderness area Lots of mosquitoes

  • C
    Aug. 27, 2018

    South Core Banks -- Beach Camping — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    State park, clean and in the ocean

    No power, water or hookups. Bath house decent, and on the ocean. Take plenty of bug spray. View is stunning. Just be sure you know it’s on an island, and read the tide tables so you aren’t surprised. Enjoy!

  • r
    Jun. 19, 2022

    Great Lake Dispersed Site - Croatan National Forest

    Camp area unacceptable

    We tried to camp here but all the access roads were closed due to hurricane damage. They looked have been closed for a long time. In a pinch we found a camp spot nearby at Catfish Lake. The road in was easy but it was extremely trashy with lots of shotgun shells on the ground. Lots of people showed up to trap shoot nearby so we had to keep going over to let them know we were there.

  • Jason D.
    May. 23, 2021

    South Core Banks -- Beach Camping — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    Primitive Beach Camping

    Love this island! No crowds, lots of open beach, and plenty of fish! If you’re looking to camp on the beach and escape the crowds, you’ve found your spot. You need 4WD to get around the island but most of the ferry places have atv rentals. Only accessible by ferry/boat, call a few weeks ahead to reserve a spot on the ferry cause they fill up quickly.

  • T
    Jun. 26, 2018

    South Core Banks -- Beach Camping — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    Nothing short of AMAZING

    Short ferry ride from Harker’s Island. Prettiest water I’ve seen in NC, can be compared to the Caribbean! Fresh water and restrooms on island. Camp anywhere 100ft from buildings. Trees for shade, privacy, protection from wind more central on the island. The light house is beautiful! Wild horses just across the water on Shackleford Banks, which can also be camped- minus all the amenities.

  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    South Core Banks -- Beach Camping — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    Very Special Place

    We spent 3 nights beach camping in our VW Vanagon, and highly recommend this destination if you have the means! The ferry is $135+ for vehicles, plus $20 per person roundtrip. The beach driving permit is $75 unless you buy it by March (I think). We lucked out with our dates just preceding a big fishing competition, and there was a LOT of open beach space. Almost everyone is there to fish. We took bikes and enjoyed cycling around at low tide. Be sure to camp above the high tide zone, which is black sand. There are narrow/impassable points on the beach at high tide, but there are ramps to the back road every mile. Some ramps are very deep sand, others flat and packed. We got by without 4wd, but we didn’t explore beyond finding a spot not too far from the ferry drop off. We befriended our neighbors who took us to the lighthouse at the southern end of the island, which was beautiful! Currently closed for renovations, and the lightkeeper’s house was closed due to the government shutdown. Overall, south core banks is absolutely worth the effort!

  • V
    May. 1, 2021

    South Core Banks -- Beach Camping — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    Camp on the sand - ORV Permit Required!

    Yea, there's definitely no better way to camp. Start your adventure on a ferry, cross an inlet watching all the wildlife play right in front of you, then get off and drive immediately to endless stretches of white sandy beaches. See someone nearby, cool, whatever. Drive somewhere else and set camp. Just don't forget to pack it in, AND pack it out. While i'm at it, you should also prepare everything in advance - food, water, essentials. There ain't no corner market here. That includes 4x4 AND recovery equipment. Tow service ain't nowhere to be found. So, sorry 2WD Chevy Tahoe with aggressive tires - stay home.  

    The South Core banks are the only location in NC where you're allowed (with a $25 permit - 2021 rules) to drive right on the beach and camp overnight without the caveat of having the be actively fishing. Just make sure to stay off the dunes and keep fires below the high tide line. Other than that, don't litter, don't break glass and definitely don't burn pallets with nails. This is a gem that's been used by fisher-people for decades, so don't be that guy who forces the state to tighten restrictions. 

    Other than that, enjoy!


Guide to Morehead City

Dispersed camping near Morehead City, North Carolina offers rustic outdoor experiences in maritime forest and coastal environments. The region sits at sea level with average summer temperatures of 85-90°F and winter lows of 35-45°F. Weather conditions change rapidly in this coastal area, with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months and potential for strong northeasterly winds during fall and winter.

What to do

**Kayak fishing: Access Great Lake through trails past concrete barriers in Croatan National Forest. "You can access Great lake with an Atv or SXS. There are passable trails past the barricades but you will need a capable 4x4 to get thru. The lake is virtually untouched and the roads were still in good shape," notes a visitor to Great Lake Dispersed Site.

**Lighthouse visits: Take time to visit Cape Lookout Lighthouse when camping at South Core Banks. "We befriended our neighbors who took us to the lighthouse at the southern end of the island, which was beautiful! Currently closed for renovations, and the lightkeeper's house was closed due to the government shutdown," reports a camper at South Core Banks Beach Camping.

**Wildlife observation: Look for native coastal species, including nesting sea turtles. "Show up in October and you may get to help the rangers protect the sea turtles as they hatch," mentions a camper about South Core Banks. Long Point Boat Launch offers additional access points for wildlife viewing in less crowded areas.

What campers like

**Beach solitude: Find uncrowded stretches of sand at South Core Banks. "No crowds, lots of open beach, and plenty of fish! If you're looking to camp on the beach and escape the crowds, you've found your spot," shares a visitor about primitive beach camping.

**Natural phenomena: Experience bioluminescent plankton in spring months. "Show up late in April, early may and you will get to see the bioluminescent plankton wash up sound side, and a hike will leave glow in the dark foot prints," explains a camper about South Core Banks.

**Horse sightings: Observe wild horses in their natural habitat. "We had three young male horses that were always roaming within sight. They even walked close by our campsite," notes a visitor at Shackleford Island.

What you should know

**Road conditions: Many forest roads remain damaged and closed. "Lots of roads closed from hurricane damage, so don't trust Google maps. The dirt roads were not maintained and ridiculously bumpy and unmanageable for smaller cars," warns a camper about Croatan National Forest.

**Ferry reservations: Book transportation to islands well in advance. "Only accessible by ferry/boat, call a few weeks ahead to reserve a spot on the ferry cause they fill up quickly," advises a South Core Banks visitor.

**Water safety: High tides can affect beach camping and travel. "Just be sure you know it's on an island, and read the tide tables so you aren't surprised," cautions a camper about South Core Banks.

**Wind preparation: Secure tents thoroughly for coastal conditions. "Waterspouts are extremely common here, so use sandbags with your tent and make sure the tent can handle heavy winds if the storms blow in over night," notes a South Core Banks camper.

Tips for camping with families

**Beach driving awareness: Keep children away from vehicle paths on South Core Banks. "The South Core banks are the only location in NC where you're allowed (with a $25 permit - 2021 rules) to drive right on the beach and camp overnight without the caveat of having the be actively fishing," explains a visitor to Cape Lookout National Seashore.

**Wildlife safety: Maintain distance from wild horses and alligators. "There are alligators, bears, way too many ticks, mosquitos and a ridiculous amount of shotgun shells. It definitely felt dangerous," warns a camper about primitive camping in Croatan.

**Insect protection: Choose camping locations based on wind patterns to minimize bugs. "The constant breeze on the beach side keeps the mosquitos at bay, and you will get eaten alive on the sound side," advises a South Core Banks camper.

Tips from RVers

**Recovery equipment: Carry towing gear when taking RVs to beach locations. "You should also prepare everything in advance - food, water, essentials. There ain't no corner market here. That includes 4x4 AND recovery equipment. Tow service ain't nowhere to be found," warns a South Core Banks visitor.

**Alternative parking: Dixon Landing provides mainland access for those with unsuitable vehicles. "We got by without 4wd, but we didn't explore beyond finding a spot not too far from the ferry drop off," reports a visitor about camping at South Core Banks in a VW Vanagon.

**Cost considerations: Budget for permits and transportation. "The ferry is $135+ for vehicles, plus $20 per person roundtrip. The beach driving permit is $75 unless you buy it by March (I think)," notes a South Core Banks visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Morehead City, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Morehead City, NC is South Core Banks -- Beach Camping — Cape Lookout National Seashore with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Morehead City, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Morehead City, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.