Great Island Cabin Camp

An aerial view of Great Island Cabin Camp, with the ocean on the right, the sound on the left, and the cabin area in the center
A view of the bunk beds in the bedroom of Great Island Cabin 3.
Sunlight shining on 3 bunk beds in a plywood cabin
Great Island Cabin Camp Bath House

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Showers Showers

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

23 total sites

Cabins

23 sites

About Great Island Cabin Camp

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.

Number of accommodations: 23

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Mar 12 to Nov 30

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Showers Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

23 Sites Available

Site
Price
🏠 001, Loop: GI
6 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 002, Loop: GI
6 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 003, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 004, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 005, Loop: GI
6 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 006, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 007, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 008, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 011, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 012, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 013, Loop: GI
6 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 014, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 015, Loop: GI
12 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 016, Loop: GI
12 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 017, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 018, Loop: GI
6 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 019, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 020, Loop: GI
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 021, Loop: GI
4 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 022, Loop: GI
4 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 023, Loop: GI
6 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 024, Loop: GI
6 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🏠 026, Loop: GI
6 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (968)

What Guests Are Saying

Great Island Cabin Camp offers a peaceful and beautiful vacation spot with pristine beaches and a rustic charm. Many guests appreciated the comfortable cabins, helpful staff, and the serene environment, making it a favorite destination for repeat visitors. However, some noted issues with cabin maintenance and staff interactions, suggesting the need for improvements while still cherishing the unique, remote experience the island provides.

Review Summary

4.3
968 reviews
5
60.3%
584
4
23.8%
230
3
7.4%
72
2
4.3%
42
1
4.1%
40

Clinton R

Verified

June 1, 2021 Stayed at: 026, Loop: GI

5

Everything was as advertised. Hot water was tricky, however we had a blast. Definitely bring deet, the green head horse flies are the spawn of Satan. Amazing location, will definitely continue our guy's trip here.

Ryan S

Verified

June 1, 2021 Stayed at: 007, Loop: GI

1

My family has been going to the cabins with several families for the past 12 years. We just went last weekend and it will likely be our last trip. The park rangers are harassing everyone, pulling people with no cause, and shutting down most of the beach due to turtle and bird nests. Most of the island was inaccessible now. It is a terrible abuse of power to see more police riding up and down a barrier island than you would if you were sitting on the mainland beaches. I would be in support of protecting nature and keeping out of control people in line, but the park rangers are going out of their way to harass every person on the island. It is a shame because this has been our family's favorite place over the years. Government has to ruin everything good. Next year we will go elsewhere, but then again, that is what they want.

paul h

Verified

June 2, 2021 Stayed at: 022, Loop: GI

5

Loved it!!

paul h

Verified

June 2, 2021 Stayed at: 022, Loop: GI

5

Loved it!!

Ramsey G

Verified

June 10, 2021 Stayed at: 017, Loop: GI

5

Amazing as always. This place a is a slice of heaven.

Neil P

Verified

June 10, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: GI

4

First time renting the cabin, Cabin was as expected based on website description. Ferry service and "greeters" were exceptional. Friendly and informative. My 3 experiences with the park attendant at check-in and ice purchase were less then desirable. Attendant was short with answers and not that inviting. I dismiss bad experiences as a one off but for this to happen 3 times is unexceptionable. Another member of my party had the same experience. Besides that the cabin and visit was fantastic. I've dealt with many Parks workers and this was the worse.

Neil P

Verified

June 10, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: GI

4

First time renting the cabin, Cabin was as expected based on website description. Ferry service and "greeters" were exceptional. Friendly and informative. My 3 experiences with the park attendant at check-in and ice purchase were less then desirable. Attendant was short with answers and not that inviting. I dismiss bad experiences as a one off but for this to happen 3 times is unexceptionable. Another member of my party had the same experience. Besides that the cabin and visit was fantastic. I've dealt with many Parks workers and this was the worse.

Ramsey G

Verified

June 10, 2021 Stayed at: 017, Loop: GI

5

Amazing as always. This place a is a slice of heaven.

John T

Verified

June 18, 2021 Stayed at: 022, Loop: GI

4

Great spot. Rustic cabins (plywood walls), but it's got a shower, toilet, and stove. Screens are busted out, which made it a bit buggy, and I didn't see much evidence that the bathroom was cleaned anytime recently, but I still enjoyed my time. I'd recommend it to others that I knew were ok with a no frills experience on the beach.

John T

Verified

June 18, 2021 Stayed at: 022, Loop: GI

4

Great spot. Rustic cabins (plywood walls), but it's got a shower, toilet, and stove. Screens are busted out, which made it a bit buggy, and I didn't see much evidence that the bathroom was cleaned anytime recently, but I still enjoyed my time. I'd recommend it to others that I knew were ok with a no frills experience on the beach.

Location Great Island Cabin Camp

Address:
131 Charles Street
Harkers Island, NC, 28531
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 34.7606 / -76.4122

Elevation: 1 feet

Distance to downtown

18 mi drive to downtown Harkers Island (about 54 min)

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

Check out time

10AM

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Fires & fuel

  • Guests should obtain firewood locally and burn it on-site to protect forests; transporting firewood is illegal in some states.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: August 23, 2026

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