Exploring the Natural Side of the Outer Banks

You’ve checked into your home, the car is unpacked, the trip to the grocery store filled two shopping carts with enough food for the family and any unexpected guests for at least a week, and the question on everyone’s mind is…”What’s next?”

And that’s a fair question. Not because there is nothing to do—just the opposite, there is so much to do and see on the Outer Banks that trying to come up with a list is close to impossible.

There are, though, some things that have stood the test of time remarkably well.

Top Attraction – The Beach

The Outer Banks beaches are why so many visitors come back year after year.

Even better—especially in the summer—the water temperature is just about perfect, usually within two to three degrees of 70°F (or 21°C for our international guests).

With over 100 miles of sand, there’s room to spread out. And no matter where you are—Corolla, Nags Head, or Cape Hatteras National Seashore—parking is always free.

An interesting feature of North Carolina beaches is that they are all public use. No one owns the beach, and you’re almost always allowed to be there. The exception: at certain times of year, parts of CHNS may close for sea turtle or endangered bird nesting.

Local’s Tip: Some sections of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore may close during nesting season for sea turtles or endangered birds. Signs will be posted, and it’s important to respect them—fines are steep.

Corolla & the Currituck Banks

In Corolla, beach goers will find plenty of parking available between Duck and the 4WD area of Carova. Currituck County has an excellent map that details all of the parking areas. The map is not to scale, but is very easy to use. An important note for families, perhaps—the parking at the north end of North Beach Access Road and the south end off Yaupon have the most complete restroom and shower facilities.

The 4WD area of Carova, where the Corolla Wild Horse roam, has beach parking only, meaning there are not parking areas or shower or restroom facilities. If the plan is to stop on the beach and park, you must have a beach parking permit. More information is available here.

Northern Dare County

The towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head make up the heart of the Outer Banks.

The beaches here are just as wonderful, but a few local rules apply:

• Duck and Southern Shores: No public beach parking. Access is for property owners and guests only.
• Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head: Plenty of public beach access lots. Look for CAMA signs.

Because these towns are the most populated on the Outer Banks, beachgoers will find quick access to convenience stores, burger joints, and more.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Beaches

All beaches on Hatteras Island and Ocracoke are part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS)—the first national seashore in the country, formally dedicated in 1958.

These beaches are spectacular. Ocracoke’s beach has regularly ranked among the top 10 in the nation by Dr. Beach—until it was removed for winning too often.

• CHNS begins in South Nags Head and includes nearly all of Ocracoke Island.
• Coquina Beach, in South Nags Head, offers great parking and full facilities.
• Hatteras Island, stretching from the Basnight Bridge to Hatteras Village, is a 50-mile-long barrier island with world-class beaches.
• Buxton Beach, near the lighthouse, has excellent facilities and parking.

Local’s Tip: While CHNS beaches are public, the National Park Service will close some sections for nesting activity. Respect the signs—citations and fines are enforced.

Driving on the Beach

Driving on the beach is a popular Outer Banks tradition, but there are some rules to know:

• Nags Head & Kill Devil Hills: Driving allowed from Oct 1 to Apr 30 with a permit.
• Other towns: No beach driving permitted.
• CHNS: Open to ORVs year-round, but closures occur for nesting and safety. It’s the driver’s responsibility to know what’s open.

For more details, you can visit our page outlining the rules around driving on the beach on the Outer Banks.

Top Attractions – Nature

The Outer Banks isn’t just beaches. Look soundside and you’ll find dense maritime forests, sand dunes, and incredible wildlife preserves.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park – Nags Head

The largest living sand dune on the East Coast, Jockey’s Ridge is more than just sand. The 427-acre park constantly shifts with winds and storms.

• Hang gliding lessons (since 1974!) still offered by Kitty Hawk Kites
• A top spot for flying kites or catching a sunset
• Soundside beach access perfect for families
• Tracks in the Sand Trail – a 1.2-mile loop into maritime forest and along Roanoke Sound

Local’s Tip: In summer, the sand gets dangerously hot—20–25° hotter than the air. Wear footwear to avoid burns.

Maritime Forests

Hidden behind tall dunes, the Outer Banks’ maritime forests are a step back in time. These are the places where people lived before oceanfront homes lined the beaches.

There are four protected forests:

• Currituck Estuarine Reserve
• Kitty Hawk Woods
• Nags Head Woods
• Buxton Woods

Nags Head Woods

Managed by The Nature Conservancy, Nags Head Woods is the most accessible, with parking off Ocean Acres Drive in Kill Devil Hills.

• Easy and moderate trails
• Great for kids
• Roanoke Trail winds through local history
• ADA-accessible trail to freshwater pond and marsh

Kitty Hawk Woods

The largest maritime forest on the Outer Banks—three square miles of forest, swamp, and marsh.

• Trails and summer kayak tours
• Birch Lane Trail (3.8-mile out and back) starts at Kitty Hawk Park, which offers parking, restrooms, and a picnic shelter

Benches along the way make this an ideal trail for nature spotting and a little peace and quiet.

Currituck Estuarine Reserve

Look for the gate at the trailhead—it keeps the Corolla Wild Horses out of town.

• ADA 0.3-mile boardwalk through maritime swamp forest
• 1.5-mile trail through pine and live oak to Currituck Sound

The parking lot is about 2 miles north of the Currituck Lighthouse on NC 12.

Buxton Woods

At the widest part of Hatteras Island, Buxton Woods is a unique blend of temperate and subtropical ecosystems.

• Lookout Loop Trail: Short, moderately challenging
• Access via Old Doctor’s Road, about 0.5 miles south of Cape Hatteras Secondary School
• Much of the forest is navigable by 4WD on sandy roads

Pea Island – A Birdwatcher’s Dream

Established in 1938, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a must-see.

• Fall through spring, the impoundments fill with migrating birds—ducks, geese, swans
• Spring and summer bring blue heron, egrets, and songbirds
• Easy trail from the Visitor Center leads to a viewing platform

Pea Island spans the northern 11 miles of Hatteras Island, between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe.

Local’s Tip: Across from the Visitor Center is a small beach. About 200 yards offshore, the shipwrecked Civil War troop carrier Oriental can still be seen. Be extremely careful crossing NC 12—speeding is common.

The Corolla Wild Horses

Small and scrappy, these wild horses are descended from Spanish mustangs brought here by explorers centuries ago.

For their protection, the herd was moved to the 4WD-only area of Carova.

• Horse tours are the best way to learn and see them
• 4WD vehicles are allowed with the following rules:
  • Air down your tires at stations (it’s enforced)
  • Permit required to stop and park on the beach
  • Stay at least 50 feet away from the horses—always

Sandy Run Park – Kitty Hawk

For families looking for a short nature walk, Sandy Run Park in Kitty Hawk is just the thing.

• A half-mile loop with boardwalk and packed earth
• Crosses pond, marsh, and a bit of forest
• Spot ospreys, turtles, woodpeckers, raccoons—and maybe a river otter

Located on The Woods Road, it’s small, peaceful, and perfect for a one-hour adventure into the natural side of the Outer Banks.