16
Cape Lookout National Seashore › North Carolina
› Carteret County
› Great Island Cabin Camp
› Campsite #16
Campsite #16 at Great Island Cabin Camp, Cape Lookout National Seashore, NC
$180
Campsite #16
| Drive-In | 12 people |
| 50 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | good |
3/27
4/21
Campsite #16 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 50-foot driveway, Fire ring w/ Grill, Cabin Site, Tent Site, Shower, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (20)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 50% |
| 4 star | | 15% |
| 3 star | | 5% |
| 2 star | | 20% |
| 1 star | | 10% |
@PaulS8803282 · Camped on Sep 24, 2025 at Campsite #16
This visit, like always, was an absolute pleasure. I enjoy the NPS staff interaction and being close to the ocean.
@LindsayB696458 · Camped on Sep 4, 2025 at Campsite #16
Amazing Experience!Rough cabin, yup. No luxuries, everything a bit worn, but a bed, a shower to get clean, a space to cook and views that are near paradise. Worth all of the lack of luxurious amenities for the back to basics, beautiful, uncrowded beach. A trip I will do time and time again.
@JohnM1144946 · Camped on Jun 22, 2025 at Campsite #16
Very hot weather. Not the cabins fault: but the time of year. cabin was bug free. The screens and windows are in need of repair. For the price: these things should be in working order.
Some Coverage
@JohnG7676070 · Camped on Apr 12, 2023 at Campsite #16
Stayed in a 12 man cabin with 10 other fishermen. Perfect weather. Caught a big variety of fish.
Excellent
@MarkB1441206 · Camped on Mar 30, 2023 at Campsite #16
Perfect long weekend. Cabin was old, but everything worked and it was clean (considering there's a billion loads of sand outside the door). Beds surprisingly comfortable. Park rangers and volunteers were all nice and helpful. We moored a boat at the north end, which was protected (also brought a truck by ferry). We were expecting a storm with a lot of wind, and got it, but spent that day at the lighthouse and exploring. Definitely used the Garmin to navigate Core Sound between Atlantic and Beaufort. Horses easy to spot on Shackelford. Fun, easy destination, outside the box.
Good
@jorgeo52BCB262 · Camped on Jun 20, 2022 at Campsite #16
Our family had a great time! The cabin was clean and comfortable for all. The park rangers and volunteers were super friendly and helpful! Looking forward to our next trip!!
Excellent
@AmberP01392320 · Camped on Jun 3, 2022 at Campsite #16
We love this beach and have stayed here at the cabins many times. We booked two nights. $380 total. On our first night we got back to our cabin at dark and found big roaches crawling everywhere on everything. Even in the bedrooms. We didnt have any food out or anything else that would have attracted them. We ended up sleeping in our truck the first night. It was miserable. The next day we called the office and we were able to get a different cabin that was much cleaner and bug free. We have never had this problem here in the years before.
Excellent
@DavidS279 · Camped on Nov 23, 2021 at Campsite #16
Great fishing experience. Hot water subpar
@RandallP507 · Camped on Sep 13, 2021 at Campsite #16
We enjoyed the stay but didn't like the 3rd degree by the volunteers-who's managing these guys? I understand rules on driving need to be reminded to protect the natural resource but to be harassed for not having my seat beat on is over the top ridiculous. Find new folks to manage the check in!
Good
@DavidG512 · Camped on Jun 21, 2021 at Campsite #16
cabin was filthy, I don't believe it was cleaned.
no t/p bulbs missing and burned out
fish bait and fish parts under cabin
used hypodermic needle on windowsill
no t/p bulbs missing and burned out
fish bait and fish parts under cabin
used hypodermic needle on windowsill
@DavidG5648223 · Camped on Jun 21, 2021 at Campsite #16
cabin was filthy, I don't believe it was cleaned. no t/p bulbs missing and burned outfish bait and fish parts under cabinused hypodermic needle on windowsill
@DanielleT65670 · Camped on Jun 12, 2021 at Campsite #16
This is our fourth time staying at the Great Island cabins at Cape Lookout, and it is definitely a beautiful, magical place that we'll visit again! The cabins themselves, though, do have some drawbacks. A few specifics:1) They're never cleaned, it appears. Every time we arrive, we have to sweep the cabin to get up tons of sand, hair, and even trash before "moving in". This year the finger-smudged "Mermaid Lives Matter" message was on one of the windows- which was also on there last year...so that tells you how often those are cleaned.2) They're poorly maintained- Cabin 16 has not had a door on the second bedroom for the past 2 years, we had to hang a sheet up with thumb tacks for changing/sleeping in there. This year we arrived and there was no shower head in our shower, we had to ask for one but be aware that the office closes at 3 so ask early! The shower setup could use some attention from staff- the very flimsy shower curtain blows around in there while you shower, resulting in water all over the floor outside of the shower. You can see they have had to replace the bathroom floor often but it might be wiser to just install a sturdier curtain with weights or magnets at the bottom to keep water in the shower and save the floor.3) Flies are an issue, so bring fly swatters (these are in some but not all of the cabins) and fly paper. The trash cans in our cabin had NO LID which you can imagine made the fly situation worse. Can we get a trash can lid for cabin 16?4) There are often holes in the screens, so bring duct tape or report these when you arrive, as you will have bugs biting you in your sleep.As a general tip, we love to drive down to the point of the island past the light house and around to the sound-side of the island. There are small waves there that are just the right size for kids to boogie board and play in. Also we learned the ferry service will deliver items to you that they sell during your stay by ferry for free (fly swatters). Lifesaver!
Good
@DanielleT610 · Camped on Jun 12, 2021 at Campsite #16
This is our fourth time staying at the Great Island cabins at Cape Lookout, and it is definitely a beautiful, magical place that we'll visit again! The cabins themselves, though, do have some drawbacks. A few specifics:
1) They're never cleaned, it appears. Every time we arrive, we have to sweep the cabin to get up tons of sand, hair, and even trash before "moving in". This year the finger-smudged "Mermaid Lives Matter" message was on one of the windows- which was also on there last year...so that tells you how often those are cleaned.
2) They're poorly maintained- Cabin 16 has not had a door on the second bedroom for the past 2 years, we had to hang a sheet up with thumb tacks for changing/sleeping in there. This year we arrived and there was no shower head in our shower, we had to ask for one but be aware that the office closes at 3 so ask early! The shower setup could use some attention from staff- the very flimsy shower curtain blows around in there while you shower, resulting in water all over the floor outside of the shower. You can see they have had to replace the bathroom floor often but it might be wiser to just install a sturdier curtain with weights or magnets at the bottom to keep water in the shower and save the floor.
3) Flies are an issue, so bring fly swatters (these are in some but not all of the cabins) and fly paper. The trash cans in our cabin had NO LID which you can imagine made the fly situation worse. Can we get a trash can lid for cabin 16?
4) There are often holes in the screens, so bring duct tape or report these when you arrive, as you will have bugs biting you in your sleep.
As a general tip, we love to drive down to the point of the island past the light house and around to the sound-side of the island. There are small waves there that are just the right size for kids to boogie board and play in. Also we learned the ferry service will deliver items to you that they sell during your stay by ferry for free (fly swatters). Lifesaver!
1) They're never cleaned, it appears. Every time we arrive, we have to sweep the cabin to get up tons of sand, hair, and even trash before "moving in". This year the finger-smudged "Mermaid Lives Matter" message was on one of the windows- which was also on there last year...so that tells you how often those are cleaned.
2) They're poorly maintained- Cabin 16 has not had a door on the second bedroom for the past 2 years, we had to hang a sheet up with thumb tacks for changing/sleeping in there. This year we arrived and there was no shower head in our shower, we had to ask for one but be aware that the office closes at 3 so ask early! The shower setup could use some attention from staff- the very flimsy shower curtain blows around in there while you shower, resulting in water all over the floor outside of the shower. You can see they have had to replace the bathroom floor often but it might be wiser to just install a sturdier curtain with weights or magnets at the bottom to keep water in the shower and save the floor.
3) Flies are an issue, so bring fly swatters (these are in some but not all of the cabins) and fly paper. The trash cans in our cabin had NO LID which you can imagine made the fly situation worse. Can we get a trash can lid for cabin 16?
4) There are often holes in the screens, so bring duct tape or report these when you arrive, as you will have bugs biting you in your sleep.
As a general tip, we love to drive down to the point of the island past the light house and around to the sound-side of the island. There are small waves there that are just the right size for kids to boogie board and play in. Also we learned the ferry service will deliver items to you that they sell during your stay by ferry for free (fly swatters). Lifesaver!
Good
@KevinJ520 · Camped on May 21, 2021 at Campsite #16
The rangers clearly don’t want humans on Core Banks any more. I understand closing beaches for endangered species’ eggs, but not for shore birds whose populations are stable.
@kevinj6487226 · Camped on May 21, 2021 at Campsite #16
The rangers clearly dont want humans on Core Banks any more. I understand closing beaches for endangered species eggs, but not for shore birds whose populations are stable.
@GeneG8226577 · Camped on Aug 11, 2020 at Campsite #16
The volunteer caretaker was extremely accommodating and helpful. Cabin right on the ocean with amazing views. If I could suggest one thing it would be to put some curtains or blinds, something over the windows or just get up at the crack of dawn. All things considered it was a great experience and we will definitely be back at cabin 16!
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