FAW3
Adventurer
In early May of 2023 I made plans to run down from Northern Virginia to the Outer Banks (OBX) of North Carolina. My primary destination was to explore the Cape Lookout National Seashore (CLNS). I've been a frequent visitor to the general OBX area over the years but never visited the CLNS. This unique National Park Service jewel is a couple of remote and mostly uninhabited natural coastal barrier islands that can be visited via a ferry.
This is why you want to come here:
I moseyed down via NC12 by way of Nags Head, Hatteras and took the NCDOT ferries over to Ocracoke (1 hour) and then to Cedar Island (2 hours). Then a final private ferry service ride to CLNS (30 minutes). On the way I overnighted and explored Frisco and Ocracoke and at both locations enjoyed my stay and the NPS campgrounds.
Once on the islands of the CLNS there are very limited visitor services and support... but nearly unlimited opportunities to roam the wonderful ocean beach front on foot, on an ATV, or via a suitable 4x4 overlanding vehicle. There are old small settlements, a small visitor center and the Cape Lookout lighthouse to explore as well as great fishing and shelling. If you ever wanted to camp on a nearly deserted ocean beach, enjoy the sounds of the ocean and be away from the crowds, the beach umbrellas, beach junk stores and beach front mansions...this is the place to go.
Plan and come well prepared and provisioned and consider this a wilderness destination. Once over on the CLNS you either brought it with you or you don't have it. There is near the ferry landing a water fill & dump station, restrooms/shower and ice available. You will need reservations for the CLNS ferry services - call ahead, these CLNS ferries book up quick, especially in the summer season. I paid $140 as I recall for the ferry ride round trip based on my 21' length. You will need a National Park CLNS off highway vehicle permit for your rig which was $50. If you come to Davis NC via the Ocracoke to Cedar Island NCDOT ferry reservations should be made especially during the busy summer season.
Squeezed in on the CLNS ferry:
You can start your planning right here at the NPS link to Cape Lookout NS:
Cape Lookout National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
My rig is a '05 Ram 3500 with a FWC Hawk slide in camper on a flatbed with storage boxes. No problems encountered running in the sand in 4x4 drive with my 35x12.5 tires aired down to 25#. During my time running around I saw plenty of 4x4 SUV's and trucks and observed nobody having any problems in the sand. I would venture to say that said being properly aired down, having decent tread and being prepared with a shovel, a couple of traction mats and a tow strap for “what if's” make this a “we're good to go” proposal.
For those who do not have a suitable 4x4 platform there are rental ATV's available. You could park your primary vehicle at Davis, rent an ATV 4x4 that carries cargo and up to 4 people and go over and camp with a tent based setup and have great mobility on the island.
I'll note that you can likely bank on having bugs and wind during your visit. In early May I enjoyed pleasant weather and minimal bugs. I did have two moderate windy days and the FWC camper did great...more severe winds could easily be encountered so a plan for dealing with strong winds should be part of your planning as well as dealing with a lot of sand and sun too!
Some CLNS sights:
This is why you want to come here:
I moseyed down via NC12 by way of Nags Head, Hatteras and took the NCDOT ferries over to Ocracoke (1 hour) and then to Cedar Island (2 hours). Then a final private ferry service ride to CLNS (30 minutes). On the way I overnighted and explored Frisco and Ocracoke and at both locations enjoyed my stay and the NPS campgrounds.
Once on the islands of the CLNS there are very limited visitor services and support... but nearly unlimited opportunities to roam the wonderful ocean beach front on foot, on an ATV, or via a suitable 4x4 overlanding vehicle. There are old small settlements, a small visitor center and the Cape Lookout lighthouse to explore as well as great fishing and shelling. If you ever wanted to camp on a nearly deserted ocean beach, enjoy the sounds of the ocean and be away from the crowds, the beach umbrellas, beach junk stores and beach front mansions...this is the place to go.
Plan and come well prepared and provisioned and consider this a wilderness destination. Once over on the CLNS you either brought it with you or you don't have it. There is near the ferry landing a water fill & dump station, restrooms/shower and ice available. You will need reservations for the CLNS ferry services - call ahead, these CLNS ferries book up quick, especially in the summer season. I paid $140 as I recall for the ferry ride round trip based on my 21' length. You will need a National Park CLNS off highway vehicle permit for your rig which was $50. If you come to Davis NC via the Ocracoke to Cedar Island NCDOT ferry reservations should be made especially during the busy summer season.
Squeezed in on the CLNS ferry:
You can start your planning right here at the NPS link to Cape Lookout NS:
Cape Lookout National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
My rig is a '05 Ram 3500 with a FWC Hawk slide in camper on a flatbed with storage boxes. No problems encountered running in the sand in 4x4 drive with my 35x12.5 tires aired down to 25#. During my time running around I saw plenty of 4x4 SUV's and trucks and observed nobody having any problems in the sand. I would venture to say that said being properly aired down, having decent tread and being prepared with a shovel, a couple of traction mats and a tow strap for “what if's” make this a “we're good to go” proposal.
For those who do not have a suitable 4x4 platform there are rental ATV's available. You could park your primary vehicle at Davis, rent an ATV 4x4 that carries cargo and up to 4 people and go over and camp with a tent based setup and have great mobility on the island.
I'll note that you can likely bank on having bugs and wind during your visit. In early May I enjoyed pleasant weather and minimal bugs. I did have two moderate windy days and the FWC camper did great...more severe winds could easily be encountered so a plan for dealing with strong winds should be part of your planning as well as dealing with a lot of sand and sun too!
Some CLNS sights:
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