Cape Lookout, North Carolina
About Cape Lookout National Seashore
Cape Lookout National Seashore is a remote and windswept stretch of barrier islands located along the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina. Spanning 56 miles of undeveloped shoreline, the park is a sanctuary of maritime forests, rolling dunes, and wide sandy beaches bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Core Sound. Accessible only by boat, it’s a destination for those seeking solitude, world-class fishing, primitive camping, shelling, and wild, natural beauty. The seashore also protects fragile ecosystems and provides critical nesting habitat for sea turtles and shorebirds.
At the heart of the park stands the iconic Cape Lookout Lighthouse, a black-and-white diamond-painted beacon that has guided mariners since 1859. Today, it remains a beloved symbol of the seashore and is open seasonally to visitors who wish to climb its 207 steps for panoramic views of the islands and sea.
History
The story of Cape Lookout is deeply rooted in maritime history, coastal culture, and resilience. Long before European settlers arrived, the Coree and other Indigenous peoples navigated these waters and lived along the shores. In the 1700s and 1800s, the islands became vital to shipping routes, though treacherous shoals earned the region a grim nickname: the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The Cape Lookout Lighthouse, completed in 1859, played a key role in improving maritime safety.
The islands also supported small, hardy communities of fishermen, whalers, and lighthouse keepers. Historic villages such as Portsmouth and Cape Lookout Village remain preserved today, offering a glimpse into the once-thriving island life. Over time, hurricanes, isolation, and shifting economies led many residents to relocate to the mainland.
In 1966, Cape Lookout National Seashore was established to protect this unique stretch of coastline from development and preserve its natural and cultural heritage. Today, the park is managed by the National Park Service and remains a haven for visitors seeking both adventure and tranquility at the edge of the sea.
Camping at Cape Lookout National Seashore offers a rugged, back-to-basics experience unlike most state or national parks.
There are no developed campgrounds within the park, and amenities such as water pumps and restrooms are extremely limited. Campers must arrive fully self-sufficient and are responsible for packing out all trash upon departure.
Camping is allowed on most of the park’s barrier islands, with a few exceptions noted below. While individual permits are generally not required, groups of 25 or more must obtain a Special Use Permit, which can be downloaded from the park's Camping Permits page. All stays are limited to a maximum of 14 consecutive days.
Vehicle and tent camping are permitted on both North and South Core Banks. Shackleford Banks, however, is limited to tent camping only. Be sure to review the specific regulations for each island before your trip.
Vehicle Camping
Visitors are welcome to camp with their vehicles, but vehicles, including any style trailer or pop-up camper, or vehicles with a rooftop tent or truck bed camper, must be kept on the oceanside beach seaward of the primary dunes, not between or on top of dunes. In addition, no vehicle is allowed to camp on the trail behind the dunes known as the "back road" unless there is a designated signed spot. Drivers must follow the regulations for off-road vehicles (ORVs) outlined on the Beach Driving section of the website and must have an ORV Beach Driving Permit. Special use permits for Long-Term parking are required for vehicles located in long-term parking lots. No vehicle may be left unattended for over 24 hours without a permit.
