Cape Lookout — Sept 13

Dates: Sun Sept 13 → Wed Sept 16, 2026 · 3 nights
Where: Great Island Cabin Camp, Cape Lookout National Seashore
Access: Vehicle ferry from Davis, NC — 45 min across Core Sound
Quarters: Cabins 014 & 015 · 20 bunks between them
Headcount: 13 invited

Answer the Invite Details here · Yes or no there

The Plan Times are firm

SAT 9/12Optional

Night in Morehead City If you're driving far

Chain hotel, still being picked. Morehead City is about 30–40 minutes west of the ferry dock, so you roll out Sunday morning without a 4 a.m. alarm. Speak up if you want a room and you'll get added to the block.

SUN 9/1311:00 AM

Be at the dock in Davis

125 Grady Davis Lane, Davis, NC. The ferry asks everyone to arrive a full hour before departure — that hour is not padding, it's their loading window. Late means you watch the boat leave.

SUN 9/1312:00 PM

Ferry departs — the Miss Brenda

Trucks drive on, we ride across, trucks drive off onto sand. Roughly 45 minutes. Grab your ORV permit at the ranger station on the way in.

SUN 9/132:00 PM

Cabin check-in

Not a minute earlier — 2:00 sharp at the cabin office for key codes, and they don't let you stage gear on the porch while you wait. Office closes at 3:00.

MON–TUEWide open

Fish, drive the beach, do nothing

Surf fishing is why most people come. Beyond that: shelling, the Cape Lookout lighthouse down the island, wild horses, and 56 miles of undeveloped sand with almost nobody on it.

WED 9/1610:00 AM

Checkout, then the 11:00 boat

Hard checkout at 10 — staff will move your stuff to the cabin office if you're slow. Ferry back at 11:00, which means being at the landing by 10:00. Pack Tuesday night.

What You're Walking Into Read this part

This is a National Park Service cabin on a barrier island with no stores, no restaurants, no paved roads, and no one coming to rescue your weekend. Whatever you don't bring, you do without for three days. That's the appeal — but go in with your eyes open.

PowerThere is none. The cabins are wired for 110v but there's no grid behind it — a generator is the only way to get lights, and it has to be 5,500 watts or under or it trips the breakers. Bring one if you've got one. Otherwise it's headlamps after dark.
KitchenPropane stove and oven, plus a charcoal grill outside. No refrigerator. Coolers and ice are the entire cold chain. Ice and gas are sold at the cabin office.
BathroomPrivate bathroom in the cabin with hot showers. Better than you're expecting.
A/CNone. Mid-September on the coast is usually fine at night with the windows and the sea breeze.
BeddingBare bunks. You bring your own sheets, pillow, towel — all of it.
BugsMosquitoes, biting flies, gnats. People who skip the repellent regret it loudly.
TrashPack it out. Beach fires only below the high tide line; otherwise fires go in the park grills.
PhonesAssume you're hard to reach. Tell people at home now, not from the boat.

If You're Bringing a Truck Non-negotiable

Every vehicle that touches the island needs an ORV Beach Driving Permit, bought in advance at recreation.gov and picked up at the ranger station when you land. There is no buying one at the dock. Show up without it and your truck doesn't leave the ferry ramp.

Drivetrain4WD, high clearance. Every road on the island is loose sand. AWD and 2WD get stuck — this isn't a suggestion from the park, it's a warning.
TiresAir down to 20 psi or lower before you drive off the ramp. There's a fill station at the ferry landing for the trip home.
PaperworkCurrent registration, valid plate, insurance, and a passed inspection. Licensed drivers 16 and up only.
ParkingTwo spaces per cabin near the door. More trucks are fine, they just park in the long-term lot with a permit from the cabin office.
Riding togetherNobody's assigning seats. If you'd rather ride with somebody than ferry your own truck across, work it out between yourselves and split the fare however you like.
Not allowedMotorcycles and dirt bikes are banned outright. No driving on dunes or the sound-side beach.

Rangers will not tow you

They're not permitted to. Commercial towing out there is scarce and brutally expensive, and your roadside assistance almost certainly doesn't cover off-road sand. Bring a strap, boards, and a shovel, and don't park below the high tide line — vehicles left there sink when the tide comes in.

Pack List Nothing is sold on the island

Meals get planned out before we leave, so don't go buying three days of food on your own — wait for the plan. We're eating good out there. Everything below is the personal stuff nobody can bring for you.

Sleep

Sheets or sleeping bag
Pillow
Towels
Flashlight or lantern

Eat & Drink

Cooler — the biggest you own
Drinking water
Your food for 3 days
Pots, pans, plates, utensils
Charcoal and lighter fluid
Trash bags

Survive

Bug spray — real bug spray
Sunscreen
First aid kit
Vinegar (jellyfish stings)
Phone battery pack

Play

Surf rods and tackle
Beach chairs
Cooler for the beach
Cards

What It Costs Cheaper than you think

Cabins, 3 nights: Josh has it
Ferry, per person round trip: $20
Ferry, per truck round trip (under 22'): $135
ORV permit, per vehicle: recreation.gov
Hotel Saturday, if you're in: TBD
Food, ice, gas: TBD

Lodging is covered — Josh is paying for the cabins, so there's no bed charge to anybody. Drivers buy their own ORV permit directly; nobody can do that step for you.

Saying Yes Not here

This page is the reference copy — everything you'd want to know before committing. Do your actual RSVP in the Apple Invite that came with this link. Tap yes or no there and it lands with everybody at once.

Once the list is set, we'll get everyone who's coming on a planning call to sort out trucks, gear, and who's covering what. Bring your questions to that instead of trying to solve it in the group text.