Great Island Cabin Camp

Please understand before you read this- there is no electricity on this island and it constantly gets hit by hurricanes and bad weather. The fact that these cabins are still standing is a miracle! With that being said it is wonderful to come over to Cape Lookout and to have a real bed, running water, flush toilets and screens on the windows. We rented a bigger cabin this time because it was a last minute trip and we loved it! The best part was that it was so close to the beach we could just walk out the our door and the beach was just a few steps away. It is amazing that the cabin is wired for electricity via your own personal generator and also has hot water and a stove/oven. That being said, you need to bring all of your own stuff and supplies and don’t think you will be sand and bug free! What a gem! We love it here!

This was our first time staying at the cabins. We took the ferry and also rented a Kubota for the day from: Cape Lookout Cabins & Camps Ferry Service-South.

The ride over to the island is about 25ish minutes.

We checked in at the ranger station, the woman at the station is super friendly and gave the kids Junior ranger stickers.

We stayed at cabin 022 which was very close to cabin 021, so if you don’t want a “neighbor” these two cabins aren’t for you.

The cabin itself has a working shower, toilet, sink and propane stove by default, no generator is required for those amenities. There is no refrigerator.

We didn’t bring a generator, but if you want lights after dark or to power small appliances, you’ll need one. There are no pots or cookware, you have to bring everything you need, except toilet paper.

The cabin had a screened in porch which was really nice and it was very clean.

I highly recommend bringing a 4WD vehicle or renting a Kubota.

We were able to thoroughly explore the island, the kids loved all the “adventures” we went on driving the Kubota around.

You can easily drive to a secluded section of beach and see absolutely no one. Shelling is phenomenal.

Overall the experience was fantastic and a HUGE step up from primitive camping.

If you like to “rough it”, but also have a working bathroom or small children, this is the perfect place for you.

This may be one of North Carolina’s best kept secrets! You need a a 4 wd vehicle to drive on the island. In order to do so, you must purchase an off road permit. The Ranger and volunteers were so kind as was the staff of the ferry from Davis. The location cannot be beat. We traveled as a family of 4. My husband, myself and our two teens. The beach and location was surreal and absolutely amazing! The kids suffered a couple jellyfish stings so be sure to bring the vinegar. The Ranger station sells gas, diesel, and ice. That’s it. You need to bring everything else. The cabins are rustic with bunk beds. But they do have hot water and a gas stove. The grill outside is good for cooking hotdogs and quick foods but doesn’t have a cover to be able to cook something more Sophisticated with ease. The sounds of the ocean were beautiful to sleep to. Everyone on the island was amazing and kind. There is a screened in porch and a clothesline to dry towels. This is a very special place!

As usual, we had a wonderful trip! This was our first time staying in Cabin 11 and we loved it. We liked the open floor plan of this cabin. We usually stay in a cabin with separate room with three bunks. With the open floor plan you get a better breeze. There is also a fairly new fish cleaning station right around the corner and the ramp to beach is nearby but not too close to where the traffic is bothersome.

Amazing amazing amazing! Not easy to book or arrange with the ferry etc., but so worth it! One of the neatest adventures.

This was an experience of a lifetime! The cabin was very comfortable, water was hot, and the bed slept really well. (Cabin #1) There's is so much to see on the Island, I highly recommend having some kind of 4wd vehicle. If you don't own a 4wd, a Kubota rental is well worth the price.

I didn't stay at the cabins but came in on the ferry for the day. Beautiful coast, great facilities for bathrooms, and potable water if needed.

We had a wonderful time. These are not plush by any stretch of the imagination but have everything we needed. Hot water gas stove, hook up for generator some of this crew has been coming for 40 years

The hurricanes over the past couple of years have really taken a toll on most of the cabins. A couple of them have even been condemned. However, our visit was still a blast. As usual, the park staff and volunteers were very friendly. We visited on Aug 28-30, 2020. Every cabin was booked for that weekend, but the rest of the island was completely empty. One of my favorite places on Earth!!! Will definitely be back!!!

Great stay! We had a lot of questions beforehand and eventually decided to come without a car because we only came for a couple days and we stayed in cabin 17 which is one of the closer cabins to the ferry. 17 is more expensive (at $108 it sleeps 8 people on bunk beds). We brought a 6 month old with us also and we felt it suited us just fine - but we did a lot of planning and preparing. The cabin did not have electricity but it had a functional gas stove (that did not need to be plugged into power) as well as a charcoal grill (which was not suitable for a charcoal chimney starter because the grate is not moveable). The bathroom and kitchen have potable (drinkable) water but it is well water treated with iodine so it is reddish in color and may have an unusual taste. Cabin 17 is as close as you cab get to the main bathrooms, used by tent campers, so it is in a highly trafficked area and was a little noisy in the morning and at night. You can see proximity to other cabins and bathrooms in a couple photos I included. What I wish we knew before booking: ferry service is $16 per person PLUS $80 per car. The ferry is dog-friendly. There are ferries every 30 minutes. You absolutely have to book in advance for cars. Booking in advance is also recommended if you come without a car. If you do not bring your car, there are red carts to load your stuff into the ferry and you can bring it to the other side with you if there is space. Then the volunteer will help you drive everything to your cabin from there. Ice and gasoline are sold on the island. Ice is $4/bag. You can also ask the ferry men to bring you supplies from mainland. Shout out to Doug, the awesome volunteer during our stay. Don't forget to check in with your volunteer when you arrive! This is back country glamping and it's wonderful if you plan and prepare. Enjoy!

What a great place to visit if you enjoy roughing it, fishing, and being away from normal civilization. Make sure you bring everything that you'll need to this 4-wheel drive vehicle only playground. Some items can be bought but come at a higher price given the only way to get supplies to the island is by one of two ferry services running most of the year. The cabins are rustic but come with hot water and a gas cooktop. Generators are necessary if you want to have lights or other powered items.

We just got back from staying for a few days. It was beautiful! The weather wasn't the greatest our last two nights but it didn't put a damper on our time there! So many sea shells. My 3 year old loved filling her bucket with all different kinds of shells!Cant wait to go back!

Very peaceful , absolutely worth it .
I was not sure how things will go but , it was very great stay .
Ferry service - cape lookout cabins and ferry (we got charged $16 per person round trip)
The cabins have toilets and shower.
Ice is sold on the island , don’t need to buy it near ferry shop.
We got cabin @ 1 which was the last cabin on the island , but there will be a ranger who will help you with your stuff if you don’t have car (very friendly people ) .
If you miss something you can call the ferry service , they will send you the stuff on the next available ferry .
Get a volley ball or foot ball to play on beach , Most people like to fish here .
Most imp — You have cellular network too.
One of the Best place to stay . Try it .👍

Worth every penny. Cape Lookout Ferry service is a great way to get out there. Beautiful ocean with plenty of sea shells to go around. The lighthouse is 1 hour south from the cabins by vehicle. Cabin 21 had a stove/oven, potable water, and a full bathroom. Doesn't get good air flow though. Wound up putting the mattresses on the middle of the cabin in a pile to get air circulation.

I love being here. The cabins are perfect for the island. They now have on demand hot water. Just bring your generator, food, fishing gear and family. The staff are friendly and helpful. Don't forget your bug spray and a shovel.

Great Island Cabin Camp is run by the National Park Service as this is on the Cape Lookout National Seashore... Rustic cabins but if you're used to the outdoors and camping in general, then this place is for you. Peaceful, quiet, not a touristy area at all. We stayed here for the first time in July of 2016 and will be headed there again here in a few weeks, can't wait!

Super cool experience! I would definitely recommend getting a generator before coming here. The cabin gets very hot and humid inside since theres no electricity. Great place to go fishing and to explore. If you dont have a vehicle that can make it through the sand I'd suggest renting a 4×4 so you dont need to lug everything around with you when you want to explore/go to the beach. If you decided to walk, they will bring your belongings to and from the ferry to your cabin. If you're looking to 'get away' from your normal life this is a great place to do so. It's quiet and peaceful when it's not busy. Watch out for ants and other bugs! Dont forget your bug spray! Our cabin had a lot of ants in the bathroom and in the kitchen. There's a lot of mosquitos and other bugs that like to bite you so be prepared. As for the water, not best suited for younger children and poor swimmers. The waves are very large and forceful. We stayed in cabin #26.

I had a wonderful time, we were looking for somewhere cheap to go to the beach because we were low on funds, and we picked the right spot. We didn’t get a cabin because it was last minute and they were full, so we camped on the beach instead. The problem with this was that whatever those bugs are that live in the sand dunes, I am HIGHLY allergic to them. Of course my boyfriend was completely fine, while I was swarmed and ended up with welts all over my face and body. Aside from that, you can see the Milky Way, the people who work there are very kind and will help you out if you need to charge your phone. There are hot showers too!

Now I beached camped in a tent so I have no input on the cabins here but this is a beautiful island worth a stay. You have to have 4 wheel or all wheel drive as you drive either on the beach or the back road which is also sand. You must pay a ferry to get your vehicle over to the island as there are no bridges. I had been to the lighthouse years ago and never knew about the village with the life saving station. The village is really cool and I think the live saving station, which ended operations in 1983, is a must see. No one really realizes what those life savers would do to get to ship wrecks, risking their very on lives to save others. Great fishing durning certain times of the year. Can't wait to get back here!

Our family of four plus a guest stayed in cabin 26. The last cabin on the lane, as you head south. Everything about our stay was perfect. The island is beautiful - so rustic and relaxing. I’m already planning our next trip!