Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Manteo
The refuge has over 150,000 acres of wetland habitats and a wide variety of wildlife, ranging from wood ducks and alligators to black bears and red wolves. Plant species including the Atlantic white cedar, bald cypress, wildflowers and shrubs are abundant. Hiking and wildlife trails plus fishing areas. Trails for kayaking and canoeing; guided canoe tours are available for a fee. On Hwy 64/264 west from Manteo. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Boat Trips & Tours with the Austins
Ocracoke Island
We offer boat trips to the 'ghost village' on Portsmouth Island. You'll leave Ocracoke and enjoy a 20 minute boat ride, perhaps catching a glimpse of some of the local sea life along the way. We'll leave you on Portsmouth Island to birdwatch, shell, sight-see, go surf fishing or clamming, camping or sunbathing and later we'll pick you up and bring you back to Ocracoke. Or, Captain Rudy Austin will take you a boat tour of the surrounding islands that lasts about 90 minutes. You'll listen as Capt Austin, born and raised on Ocracoke, details the intriguing history of the area, from Blackbeard the Pirate to World War II. austinboattours.com
Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve
Buxton
The 825-acre Buxton Coastal Reserve, just south of the village of Buxton on Hatteras Island, is the largest stand of maritime forest remaining in North Carolina. Shrub thickets of live oak and red cedar... continued: Buxton Woods
Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve
Carova Beach
Corolla from the North Beach access 4-wheel drive ramp. Two miles of wildlife preserve for hiking and beach activities. Inhabited by a variety of native wildlife showcasing a prime example of maritime forest. Foot and four wheel drive access only. Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge
Carova Beach
The refuge hosts almost 20,000 visitors annually. It is open daily, from sunrise to sunset, throughout the year. Hiking, wildlife observation, nature photography, and waterfowl hunting are the primary wildlife-dependent activities that may be enjoyed on the refuge. Wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors with a variety of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Piping plover and loggerhead sea turtles occasionally nest on the refuge. Currituck National Wildlife Refuge
Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Wright Brothers National Memorial, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Ocracoke Island Lighthouse
Outer Banks
Stretched over 70 miles of barrier islands, Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a fascinating combination of natural and cultural resources and provides a wide variety of recreational and research opportunities relating to the cultural history and natural heritage of the Outer Banks, shipwrecks, lighthouses, and the U.S. Lifesaving Service. Main offices and research facilities for Fort Raleigh, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Bodie Island Lighthouse, the Wright Brothers Memorial, and the Ocracoke Lighthouse are located at the Fort Raleigh facility. Preserves and protects 75 miles along North Carolina's Outer Banks. National park includes Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and visitors centers at Buxton (year-round), Bodie Island and Ocracoke (seasonal). Free. Fee for camping. Cape Hatteras National Seashore recreation.gov
Cape Hatteras National Seashore & Ocracoke Campground
Ocracoke Island
Cape Hatteras was the first National Seashore in the country. It extends from Nags Head to Ocracoke Inlet and includes 13 miles of pristine beach on Ocracoke Island. Local folks call this area "the park" and it offers a wide variety of activities such as birding, boating, camping, cycling, fishing, surfing, swimming, seashelling and wind-boarding! For a wonderful look at nature, visit the Hammock Hills Nature Trail on the island. Local shops on the island offer a variety of rentals such as bikes, kayaks, wind boards, etc.to help you explore this area. Ocracoke Island has the uniqueness of having the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Pamlico Sound on the other. These factors give the visitor a choice of water activities, depending on their abilities. There is also a National Park Campground on the island, situated between the two bodies of water with easy highway access nearby. Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Elizabethan Gardens
Manteo
A living memorial garden to the English colonists who came to America in 1584-1587. Designed by the renowned firm of Innocenti and Webel, it contains elements of 16th-century statuary, indigenous plants and herbs. Elizabethan Gardens
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Manteo
A begining chapter in the story of America is kept on the north end of Roanoke Island at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, the place of England's first colonization efforts. Sir Walter Raleigh's explorers and colonists established settlements in this area in 1585 and 1587. The site is home to the nation's longest running outdoor symphonic drama The Lost Colony, staged during the summer at the park's Waterside Theatre. Also within the site is The Elizabeth Gardens, a year-round living memorial to England's first colonists. Fort Raleigh
Jockey's Ridge State Park
Nags Head
Rising 110 feet, Jockey's Ridge is the tallest active sand dune on the east coast. Hiking, hang gliding, kite flying and sunset watching over Roanoke Sound. Facilities include picnic area, museum and auditorium.
Jockey's Ridge is the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern United States. It is an example of a medano-a huge hill of shifting sand that lacks vegetation. Long before the first European settlers, the Algonquian Indians inhabited the Outer Banks. Following its sighting by Spanish and French explorers, the ridge became an important landmark for mariners. Jockey's Ridge, which was in danger of being compromised by commercial development, was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1974 and became a State Park in 1975. Visitors to this park can enjoy nature trails, educational programs, a museum that interprets the natural and cultural history of the site, and recreational activities including hang gliding. Jockey's Ridge
Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve
Kitty Hawk
The Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve is an 1,800 acre protected area made up of both maritime deciduous forest, maritime swamp forest and fresh and brackish marsh ecosystems. The only maritime forest in the state dominated by the bald cypress. More Info: Kitty Hawk Woods
Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve
Nags Head Kill Devil Hills
A 1,400 acre maritime forest with over five miles of hiking trails, visitor's information center. Visitors to the preserve can explore Nags Head Woods on one of six different hiking trails that vary in length and difficulty.
Nags Head Woods
Outer Banks Center for Wildllife Education
Corolla
Life by Water's Rhythms , is the theme of this educational facility dedicated to exploring coastal North Carolina s wildlife, natural history and cultural heritage. Located in Corolla,at Currituck Heritage Park between the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Whalehead Club. The center offers both indoor and outdoor classes and attractions. Admission and all classes are free. Registration is required. Outer Banks Center for Wildllife Education (also see NCWildlife main site)
Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions
Ocracoke Island
Come and explore the uninhabited Portsmouth Village and discover a remote, pristine beach and its fascinating seashore creatures. Excursions begin with a twenty-minute boat ride from beautiful Silver Lake Harbor in Ocracoke Village. Once on the island you will discover the historic deserted village of Portsmouth. This settlement was once a thriving port town, established in 1753, with over 685 residents in 1860. It is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historical buildings open for you to see include the U. S. Life Saving Station, Schoolhouse, Post Office/General Store, Church, and visitor center. Then, its off to a beautiful, remote beach where you can discover excellent shorebird and dolphin watching, sea turtle tracks, and other fascinating creatures. Or, you can take a swim and enjoy the best shelling on the Outer Banks. The ATVs are shared (two people per ATV). Drivers must be at least 16. Children must be 6 years of age to take the tour. We provide the ATVs for the tour and do not take personal ATVs. portsmouthislandatvs.com
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Rodanthe
Between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe, Visitor Center 4 miles south of Inlet. 6,000-acre refuge, haven for 365+ bird species. Observation platforms, parking. Bird walks, summer adult, children's programs; bird walks spring, summer, fall. Life-Saving Station kiosk, parking area south of Visitor Center. Guided canoe tours are available for a fee. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge"> recreation.gov
Roanoke Island Festival Park
Manteo
Homeport of Elizabeth II, a 16th century representative sailing vessel. Experience a working Settlement Site, Adventure Museum with 400 years of Outer Banks history, Art Gallery, Museum Store, performing arts, summer children's series and boardwalks through natural marshes. ••• Roanoke Island Fesitival Park, a 27-acre North Carolina State Site and cultural center, is a celebration of history, education and the arts. Step aboard the Elizabeth II, a representative 16th century sailing vessel with garbed interpreters. Visit with soldiers in the Settlement Site. The Roanoke Adventure Museum explores 400 years of Outer Bank history. Learn how the arrival of the English Colonists changed the lives of the Native American inhabitants forever by watching the 50 minute docudrama, The Legend of Two-Path. View a new artist each month in The Art Gallery. Visit the Museum Store, which is overflowing with unique gifts inspired by the English whose first attempts at colonization in the New World were on Roanoke Island. Stroll our boardwalks, through natural marshes, and get up close to nature and observe its hidden pristine beauty and quiet surroundings. The North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island, just a block away, features a working boathouse and the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. The screw-pile light is a reproduction of one that stood near the site. A permanent display is provided on the history of the light. ••• Civil War: museum includes a very good Civil War display with maps, artifacts and some interesting stories about the February 1862 battle for the island and other war-time events in the area. Roanoke Island Festival Park
