Outer Banks

I'm planning a camping trip for the family to cape lookout. I've checked the website about camping and driving, and I'm just looking for a little clarification. You can camp anywhere except on or in between the dunes. I read that you cannot camp on the sound side. So you can camp anywhere on the beach? Obviously not too close to the water. As far as driving, you can drive anywhere unless its designated as such. I'm just trying to get a good feel for the rules and the area so that things go smoothly with the family. The idea is to camp near the water for a few days and to do it soon before it gets too hot out.

 

Camping is not permitted within the cabin areas or the Village (Portsmouth Island) or the Lighthouse (South Core) and you must stay out of any areas fenced off for turtle or bird protection. Other than that, stay above the high tide line and even with or in front of the first (seaside) dune line. It is permissible to set up in the cutouts between the dunes and that’s our preferred place. Having dunes on either side and behind your tents provides the best wind protection.

If you’re going to PI, once you get on the island head north towards the Village. You’ll have no trouble finding a suitable site; just leave a 1/4 mile or so between you and the nearest neighbor. Keep in mind the cabin area has showers, flush johns and ice so you may not want to get too far (3-5 miles) north. Have fun.

 

Good information. Thanks. One thing I didn’t think of until now, how are they about campfires? In a fire ring only or not necessary?

 

Glad to help. No permit was needed last year. The only requirement is to build your fire below the high tide line. Dig a pit at least one foot deep and three feet across. Use water to put the fire out completely (don't forget to pack a bucket). The embers will continue to smolder if only covered with sand and could pose a problem to beach walkers the next day.

Debris found along the shore can be used but it usually doesn't burn that well and often has nails (remove and properly disposed of those before burning). Its best to bring your own wood and supplement that with any jetsam might you find. You may run across the exposed timbers of a shipwreck but definitely don't burn these.

Are you going to Portsmouth or South Core?

 

Thinking about going gto cape lookout but not sold on any one place just yet. Just want to be secluded

 

Cape Lookout National Seashore is comprised of three barrier islands. From north to south - Portsmouth Island (North Core Banks), South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks. These are separated by inlets and you cannot drive from one to the other. Your vehicle can be taken over to the first two via private ferry services; Morris Marina to Portsmouth and Davis Shore or Cape Lookout Cabins & Camps to South Core - Links to each are on the the NPS website. Private vehicles are not permitted on Shackleford, only pedestrians.

We've camped on Portsmouth and South Core and both are great. PI is our favorite because it seems a little more rugged and isolated and we enjoy visits to the Village. Plus we started camping there in the sixties before it was turned over to the Feds and it just seems more like home. South Core has the Lighthouse which may be open for climbing. Where ever you go, you should make reservations with the ferry service of choice.

 

Now you've got me thinking of Portsmouth island haha.

 

decided to set up our trip to cape lookout. Headed out sunday and return on Tuesday. Should be a good time, my truck sure has a ton of stuff in it. Packing for two toddlers and the wife makes for a lot of stuff

 

Well, we never made it to cape lookout. Had some issues arise with the rear end on Thursday and we were unable to track down parts in time. Now, I'm trying to deal with ECGS to see what they can do for me.

 

That's too bad; Sorry things didn't work out and hope you can reschedule soon.

We were at the NPS Frisco campground below Buxton from Tuesday through Sunday. Had a great time other than the storm that came through Friday night and lasted until daybreak on Saturday. I've been through a good bit of bad weather on the OBX but have never seen anything, other than a hurricane, last so long with virtually non-stop heavy rain, wind and lightning. Most all campers had set up in the lower sites where dunes and/or vegetation offered at least some protection and I didn't see anyone with significant damage. Riding this one out in tents on Portsmouth or South Core would have been a challenge.

 

I got the diff back in the truck last night. Nice and smooth now, so we are planning(again) on getting out there this sunday-Tuesday

 

Portsmouth or South Core? Can’t go wrong either way but, if it’s PI, please tell Kari and Rick that Al from Tarboro said Hi and we hope to see them later this year.

Hope things work out for you this time. Have fun.

 

South core I guess. Cape lookout near the lighthouse somewhere. Theyre calling for high winds on sunday and Monday tho. So, ill have to see how that goes

 

At what point do the winds get to be too high for tent camping out there? They’re saying 20-30 mph for Sunday.

 

We had a night of 35 mph with gusts closer to 40. At this speed, being on the beach is not fun because there is a steady wall of sand flying through the air. You will need long sleeves and pants to move about.

We had to cook inside the tent which we set up immediately downwind of our vehicles. We were getting ready to eat and then spilled the pot of spaghetti in the tent. It was interesting. I kept thinking the tent was going to collapse and fly away.
Sand got into every nook and cranny in the truck. On the plus side, it was too windy for the green flies.

This was my only complaint of the trip. When you are tent camping, you are only allowed to set up on the beach. Not anywhere inland. Thus you are completely exposed to the environment.

 

Not trying to discourage you but, IMO, sustained 20+ wind might be too much with the wife and kids along unless they've experienced adverse conditions on previous trips and are comfortable with the possibility of spending most of the time inside the truck or tent. You don't want their first trip to be so miserable they don't care to return. And, as Jake noted, getting sand blasted is no fun. I'd suggest a call to the ferry service you booked with and ask their advice. A call should probably be made just to make sure they're running.

You can set tents up within the dunes using them as a windbreak but not directly on them and your vehicles must be on the shore side. Stakes should be at least 12" long and use every possible guying point.

An option may be to go to the Park Service Frisco campground below the Hatteras Light. It has a number of sites where you can set your tent up within the understory and have plenty of protection from winds much higher than predicted. Let me know if you need the site number of some that I'd recommend there. Also, you will need to spring for a permit if you want to drive on the beaches there.

 

I would rent a cabin if I was taking my wife. I don't mind roughing it a little, but she would not have been happy.

 

Sound advice for a first trip under less than optimal conditions.

 

Yeah I consulted the wife, I expressed my concerns of being sand blasted and she still wants to go. We’ve been camping before and she’s always been a trooper. I actually did call the ferry service today and asked them about wind conditions. They told me that they don’t usually run when it’s above 30 mph if I heard her correctly. But the lady also said it’s always blowing around 20 mph. I’m gonna continue to monitor the situation. This is the third weekend in a row that we’ve tried to make it out there. I already have 14” tent stakes. I would definitely call them early in the morning to make sure they’re running. Best I could do is call them before we leave but being that we’re 5 hrs away from the coast could make it hard if they have to cancel the ferry after we’re already in the road. Might have to make a last minute change to where we go.

 

Your wife sounds like a keeper. Wishing the best for y’all.