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

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!

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!

Only accesible by boat Cape Lookout is the perfect getaway.

Whether you rent the ferry to take you over, or take the Kayak the beach here is one of the best places to really get back to nature.

The wildhorses live on the islands between mainland and the OBX, taking the time to stop and see them is a must.

The campsite is the entire beach, you can camp sound side, but I don't suggest it. The constant breeze on the beach side keeps the mosquitos at bay, and you will get eaten alive on the sound side. Plus the morning view to waking up to watching the sun rise over the ocean can be beat.

Show up late in April, early may and you will get to see the bioluminesent plankton wash up sound side, and a hike will leave glow in the dark foot frints.

Show up in October and you may get to help the rangers protect the sea turtles as they hatch.

Watersouts 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

If you use the ferry you have to schedule your pickup time when you go.

there is a water pump at the lighthouse, and an outside shower, but you are not allowed to use soap at it. There are restrooms at the lighthouse, and one restroom at the end of the alkay that crosses the dunes to the beach.

There are no "sites" just find a place you want to set up camp, just stay off the dunes.

Fires are allowed as long as you build them below high tide, plenty of driftwood out there to find to burn.