#Cape lookout national seashore camping full

#Cape lookout national seashore camping full

It really is possible to spend a full week exploring the area, especially if you include the other part of the Outer Banks to the north (including the Wright Brothers National Memorial). But for those who make the effort, what awaits is many miles of unspoiled beaches, towering lighthouses to explore, incredible fishing, a sometimes rugged and always beautiful ocean and hours or days of relaxation. You won’t find large commercial airports on the seashore, and the roads leading in are narrow and seem to last forever. It takes a bit of time and effort to get to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The seashore consists of three islands: Hatteras Island, Bodie Island to the north and the remote Ocracoke Island to the south. Separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Pamlico Sound, Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a long, narrow stretch of islands that make up about 70 miles of North Carolina coastline. Similarly small section of Core Bank between New Drum Inlet and Ophelia Inlet, which existed in years 2005 to 2008, was referred to as New Core Island.Personalized National Park Posters (WPA Style) Part of the North Core Island between Old Drum Inlet (mile 19) and New Drum Inlet / Ophelia Inlet (at mile 22/23) is referred to as Middle Core Island in the years when Old Drum Inlet is open. In September 2011, Hurricane Irene reopened New Drum (mile 22) and Old Drum inlets (mile 19) and widened Ophelia Inlet (mile 23). Over the winter of 2008-2009, all of Drum and New Drum inlets shoaled and closed up, leaving only Ophelia Inlet. In September 2005 Ophelia Inlet was opened by Hurricane Ophelia, just south of New Drum Inlet, at mile 23.

In August 1999 Hurricane Dennis reopened the original Drum Inlet, at mile 19, which become New Old Drum Inlet, but it has again closed around 2008.

The purpose of New Drum Inlet was to allow commercial fishing vessels to access ocean from several small coastal communities however, the inlet shoaled before any commercial vessels used it. Army Corps of Engineers dredged and blasted a new inlet, called New Drum Inlet, at mile 22. It reopened during the 1933 Outer Banks Hurricane, but closed by 1971 when the U.S. Conversationally, the inlet or inlets between mile 19 and 23, as measured from Ocracoke Inlet, are typically called Drum Inlet even when, geologically, they have other names.ĭrum Inlet initially opened at mile 19 in about 1899, but closed naturally by 1919. The exact inlet locations and names have changed with time, as new inlets open, merge, or close. They connect the Core Sound with the Atlantic Ocean and separate North Core Banks from South Core Banks. Be sure to bring all the food, water, and supplies you need (and carry your trash out of the park) when visiting these remote beaches.ĭrum Inlet and Ophelia Inlet are inlets of the Outer Banks in the U.S. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic villages-there’s something for everyone at Cape Lookout. A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore.