OutReserve

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
Showers

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

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Boating

Fishing

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
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 (933)

What Guests Are Saying

Great Island Cabin Camp offers a unique, rustic experience perfect for families and fishing trips. While the cabins are basic, they provide essential amenities and have been noted for cleanliness and helpful staff. Visitors appreciate the beautiful scenery and opportunities for outdoor activities, making it a memorable destination despite some minor issues with accommodations.

Review Summary

4.3
933 reviews
5
60.7%
566
4
23.6%
220
3
7.4%
69
2
4.3%
40
1
4.1%
38

Bennie D

Verified

April 22, 2024 Stayed at: 022, Loop: GI

5

I enjoy going there it is a great getaway had a blast.Ready to go again this fall.

Justin O

Verified

April 19, 2024 Stayed at: 026, Loop: GI

5

Peaceful and pleasant place to stay at! Water in cabin was clean and drinkable, with consistent pressure and heat the entire time. Overhead lights in the cabin are low wattage LEDs, and can be run with only a small battery pack, if you don't want to bring a bulky generator. Beach is only a minute's walk from this cabin, down a sand road, with plenty of wind and waves, birds and fish, and good shelling as well. Do heed the advice to bring bug repellant and long sleeve shirts, the dune flies can be a bit dense until you get out to the ocean side of things. Overall, its a fun adventure to a barrier island, well worth the opportunity to go.

Justin O

Verified

April 19, 2024 Stayed at: 026, Loop: GI

5

Peaceful and pleasant place to stay at! Water in cabin was clean and drinkable, with consistent pressure and heat the entire time. Overhead lights in the cabin are low wattage LEDs, and can be run with only a small battery pack, if you don't want to bring a bulky generator. Beach is only a minute's walk from this cabin, down a sand road, with plenty of wind and waves, birds and fish, and good shelling as well. Do heed the advice to bring bug repellant and long sleeve shirts, the dune flies can be a bit dense until you get out to the ocean side of things. Overall, its a fun adventure to a barrier island, well worth the opportunity to go.

Erin C

Verified

April 17, 2024 Stayed at: 011, Loop: GI

5

Amazing location- we’re still reeling by the beauty of the area! The volunteers and local ranger were incredibly helpful and welcoming. The cabin was as advertised- we didn’t realize there would be generator hookups (wouldn’t have affected anything but maybe on a longer visit we’d look at one!)

Cannot recommend this gem enough. Already planning another trip back!!!!

Erin C

Verified

April 17, 2024 Stayed at: 011, Loop: GI

5

Amazing location- we’re still reeling by the beauty of the area! The volunteers and local ranger were incredibly helpful and welcoming. The cabin was as advertised- we didn’t realize there would be generator hookups (wouldn’t have affected anything but maybe on a longer visit we’d look at one!)

Cannot recommend this gem enough. Already planning another trip back!!!!

John C

Verified

April 17, 2024 Stayed at: 008, Loop: GI

5

I appreciate the efforts NPS puts into CALO. The thing I really miss out there is when they had the old light in the lighthouse. It would really light up your tent at night.

John C

Verified

April 17, 2024 Stayed at: 008, Loop: GI

5

I appreciate the efforts NPS puts into CALO. The thing I really miss out there is when they had the old light in the lighthouse. It would really light up your tent at night.

Samuel J

Verified

April 13, 2024 Stayed at: 018, Loop: GI

5

The cabins were clean! The fishing was great!!!

Samuel J

Verified

April 13, 2024 Stayed at: 018, Loop: GI

5

The cabins were clean! The fishing was great!!!

Cynthia S

Verified

April 6, 2024 Stayed at: 017, Loop: GI

5

Love staying on great island. The volunteers and rangers were great and the experience was fantastic.

Location Great Island Cabin Camp

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

Latitude & Longitude: 34.7606 / -76.4122

Elevation: 1 feet

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: June 5, 2026

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