When I think about the Outer Banks experience, my mind conjures endless beach days, sand between my toes, and cool blue ocean waves. Even as an OBX native, I find myself forgetting how much more our little island has to offer. Enchanting maritime forests and estuaries rich in biodiversity make this the perfect place to explore nature.
Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a strenuous hike, before summer rolls into one long beach day, check out a few of my favorite OBX trails below!
COROLLA
Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary
Hours: dawn to dusk, daily
Take a beautiful stroll in a sanctuary that protects marshes along the Currituck Sound and provides habitats for 170 bird species, 350 plant species, and countless other animals. This is truly a nature-lover’s paradise.
KITTY HAWK
Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve
Park Map
Hours: dawn to dusk, daily
Boasting 1,824 acres of maritime forests and swamplands, Kitty Hawk Woods offers numerous trails perfect for off-the-beaten-path exploration. Waterfowl and migrating birds and mammals like gray foxes are just a few of the animals you might see while out on your hike.
NAGS HEAD
Jockey’s Ridge Self-Guided Hiking Trails Park Map
Hours: 8am-8pm
Jockey’s Ridge state park includes three hiking trails that showcase the dunes, soundside, estuary and scrub thicket ecosystems. Ranging from 360 ft to 1.5 miles long, these hikes offer something for everyone. Check out the full blogpost on our beautiful dunes for more info on the site.
Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve
Park Map
Hours: dawn to dusk, daily
Nags Head Woods offers 7 trails ranging from easy to strenuous hikes. The trails cover 5 miles of maritime forest with lushly wooded dunes and 100-year-old trees, brimming with plant and animal life.
ROANOKE ISLAND
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Park Map
Hours: grounds - daylight / visitor center, daily - 9am-5pm
The 1.25 mile Freedom Trail leads from near the Elizabethan Gardens through the park grounds to the west side of the island. You can hike or bike on the trail, where you’ll be surrounded by some of the richest history the Outer Banks has to offer — the storied Lost Colony and birthplace of Virginia Dare.
RODANTHE
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Park Map
Hours: dawn to dusk, daily
Pea Island offers two trails, the most popular being the 1/2-mile-long North Pond Wildlife Trail. The trail features a boardwalk over a turtle pond, three observation decks, and one double decker tower with mounted binocular spotting scopes.