2016 Map of Horsepen Point

About this map

Cape Lookout National Seashore protects this narrow, wind-swept stretch of the Outer Banks in Carteret County, where the Atlantic tide meets the interior waters of Core Sound. The landscape is dominated by the shifting sands of the Core Banks and South Core Banks, punctuated by small maritime hummocks like Guthrie Hammock and High Hills. This coastal environment is defined by an intricate network of tidal guts and marshes, including Horsepen Creek, Codds Creek, and Zack Creek, which separate small landmasses like Horse Island and Cowpen Island. The presence of labels such as Sheep Pen Creek and Horsepen Point suggests a historical connection to livestock grazing on these barrier islands before their inclusion in the national seashore system. Shoals and points like Great Shoal and Bells Point highlight the navigational hazards of this dynamic maritime region.