Things to do in Outer Banks, North Carolina Coast: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

April 21, 2022 Misti Hsu

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands dotted with pristine beaches, quaint towns and historic sites. If you love swimming, kayaking, or surfing, be sure to visit the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. To really experience local culture, explore each coastal village and sample as much food as you can along the way. (Pro tip: Try the catch of the day.) If you’re looking for a history lesson, check out Roanoke Island or the Wright Brothers National Memorial. And of course, no day is complete without watching the sunset from Jockey’s Ridge.
Restaurants in Outer Banks

1. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Route 64/264, Manteo, Roanoke Island, NC 27954 +1 252-473-1131 [email protected] http://www.outerbanks.org/attractions/parks_wildlife/alligator_river_national_wildlife_refuge.asp
Excellent
58%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 315 reviews

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

An off-beat wildlife refuge that is interesting for children.

Reviewed By annecolorgreen - Louisville, United States

My husband and I actually visited two different times. The first, was just after lunch on a hot July day. We had quite the delay getting there because I mistakenly thought that the trail was close to the visitor's center--it's not. and then I couldn't figure out how to find it. Don't put the visitor's center in your GPS, put in the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail (which is actually the 1/2 mile nature trail that you can hike at the beginning of the motor trail). My husband and I kept driving in circles trying to find it! When we actually did get there, I was very impressed. There are very well maintained gravel roads that go in/out through this part of the refuge. There were also some dirt roads (not necessary to drive on) but they were well marked that they could be potentially hazardous during wet weather. We saw birds, a bear from a LONG distance, many turtles sunning on logs, and an alligator. Also, lots of pretty late summer flowers. Because we took awhile to get there and there are no restrooms, we eventually did have to leave. I made a plan to go back the next day and was up well before dawn to drive back over from Kitty Hawk (30'ish minutes?). This time, my plan was to drive along the areas with big fields keeping an eye out for bear. If this is your goal, don't turn off onto Sawyer Lake Rd (to the right) but keep going straight until you can turn left onto Long Curve Road. Drive slowly and pull off to the side if you want. You will soon see some big open fields--keep your eyes peeled. Through the help of a local, I was directed to the area by the "dump" where there are NUMEROUS bears that gather at least in the early hours of the day. Sadly, I didn't see or hear the wolves, but the bears were fun to watch.

2. Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve

701 W Ocean Acres Dr, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-8848 +1 252-441-2525 http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/northcarolina/placesweprotect/nags-head-woods-ecological-preserve.xml
Excellent
61%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 260 reviews

Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve

Located in the Outer Banks, this preserve is one of only a few maritime forests left in its natural state.

Reviewed By akvolkan

If you're looking for a change of scenery or some trail running (can get runs in between 1-7miles), you have to visit this unique corner of the Outer Banks

3. North Pond Trail

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Hatteras Island, NC http://www.outerbanks.org/attractions/parks_wildlife/pea_island_national_wildlife_refuge.asp
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

North Pond Trail

This half-mile trail, which offers spectacular wildlife observation year-round, is fully disabled accessible.

4. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

NC Highway 12, Rodanthe, NC +1 252-987-2394 https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Pea_Island/about.html
Excellent
63%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 268 reviews

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

This bird-lovers' paradise provides a temporary home to more than 250 types of birds.

Reviewed By jmpncsu - Raleigh, United States

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is located on the north end of Hatteras Island just south of the Basnight bridge. The refuge supports migratory birds and endangered species. A couple short trails from the visitor center provide great birding opportunities along the man-made ponds, especially in the winter. A two-story observation tower provides great views over the island. Note dogs are not allowed on the west side of NC-12, but are allowed on the beach east of the highway.

5. Sweetgum Swamp Trail

Nags Head Woods, Kill Devil Hills, NC http://www.outerbanks.org/attractions/parks_wildlife/nature_conservancy_at_nags_head_woods.asp
Excellent
69%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Sweetgum Swamp Trail

Part of a gentle five-mile hiking trail at Nags Head Woods.

Reviewed By HeatherG773 - Malvern, United States

I loved hiking this trail, not too taxing or long (3.5 miles) but a lot of interesting sights along the way.

6. Currituck Banks

Corolla, NC http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/crp/currituck-banks
Excellent
60%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 156 reviews

Currituck Banks

A small parking lot is provided for users of the maritime forest hiking trail. The trailhead is located by the informational sign west of the parking lot. Please close the gate behind you. It is there to keep wild horses from entering into Corolla. There is a 1/3 mile accessible boardwalk as well as a 1.5 mile (roundtrip) primitive hiking trail. Horses and other wildlife can be observed while hiking the boardwalk and trail. There is a 2 hour time limit for the parking lot. Anyone wishing to leave a vehicle temporarily so they can tour the 4 wheel drive area or walk to the beach must use the county beach access parking lots less than 1 mile south on Highway 12. Free public parking is located at the Heritage Park area and County parking lot near the lighthouse.

Reviewed By dbae27 - Staunton, United States

This is my second time visiting this area. There is a nice flat boardwalk out to the sound, about .3 miles. Accessible for those in wheelchairs, those pushing strollers, etc. We saw a snake in the water, a few lizards and spiders. We didn’t do the walk off the boardwalk this time, but it is .75 miles down to the sound and takes around an hour round trip. This is where we saw the wild horses last time. Nice parking are but it is small.

7. Springer's Point Preserve

Ocracoke, NC +1 910-790-4524 [email protected] http://www.coastallandtrust.org/springers-point
Excellent
66%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 273 reviews

Springer's Point Preserve

Reviewed By BeachbumJon

This is a cool short hike through some interesting trees ending with a view of where Blackbeard met his fate. We parked at the nearby church (left a donation in the box) and walked to the trail entrance. 20-40 minutes is about all you would need for this. We enjoyed it.

8. Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

Currituck Heritage Park 1160 Village Lane, Corolla, NC 27927 +1 252-453-0221 [email protected] http://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/OuterBanks.aspx
Excellent
62%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 237 reviews

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

Reviewed By DKMommy - Lancaster, United States

A free museum with a wonderful 30 minute film about the area. The exhibits are well done and enjoyable for all ages. You can probably tour the whole facility in about an hour. The bookstore was not open when we visited in a Monday. You can easily walk to the lighthouse from the parking lot.

9. Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve

983 W Kitty Hawk Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949-4240 +1 252-261-8891 http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/crp/kitty-hawk-woods
Excellent
30%
Good
57%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 23 reviews

Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve

10. Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve

Old Doctors Road, Frisco, Hatteras Island, NC http://www.nccoastalreserve.net/web/crp/buxton-woods
Excellent
33%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
33%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 9 reviews

Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve

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