South Core Banks -- Beach camping

About

Dispersed camping along the ocean beach of this 20 mile long 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.

Around this stay

Nearest surrounding services and recreation within ~25 mi — not on-site amenities.

• dump station

  Dump station

  13 mi

• fuel station

  Fuel station

  3.8 mi

• grocery

  Food Lion

  13 mi

• potable water

  Potable water

  8.3 mi

• recreation site

  Boat launch

  3.5 mi

Contact & access

• South Core Banks · Great Island, NC 28524
• (252) 728-2250
• go.nps.gov