The rolling sand dunes, expansive marshland and picturesque seashore of the Outer Banks are home to a diverse group of native plants and wildlife. Fortunately state and national parks, preserves and refuges protect much of the area. Between refuges in the marsh and nationally protected seashore, you can experience a form of the Outer Banks that is untouched by commercialism and houses. Visiting Outer Banks wildlife refuges and parks is a great activity to enjoy during your vacation. Climb to the top of Jockey’s Ridge State Park for a panoramic view of the sound and ocean. Enjoy one of the paddle trails in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge where you might see a black bear or an endangered red wolf. Visit Portsmouth Island to check out the abandoned village or relax on the spacious beach. Alternate meandering through downtown Manteo with exploring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center in Northern Roanoke Island where you can enjoy interactive exhibits and learn from the different programs offered. Whatever type of terrain you prefer to experience, Outer Banks wildlife refuges and the programs they offer are available to get the best fit for you. Browse through the listings below to see all of the different wildlife refuges on the Outer Banks.
Outer Banks Attractions by Area
Corolla | Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
Roanoke Island & Manteo | Hatteras Island | Ocracoke Island
Outer Banks Attractions by Category
This beautiful boardwalk and trail leads from the road to the sound, traversing through maritime evergreen forest, swamp forest and brackish marsh. Along...read more
Hatteras Island Ocean Center is an indoor/outdoor nature center that provides a wide variety of interactive educational activities for people of all ages....read more
The Hatteras Island Park Store is located on the grounds of Cape Hatteras Light Station. No visit to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is complete without a stop...read more
Nags Head is home to the tallest natural sand dune on the East Coast. Jockey’s Ridge, currently a series of five dunes, is a natural wonder that’s...read more
To see a totally different side of the Outer Banks, slip back into the marsh creeks and coves on a kayak. Kitty Hawk Kites offers kayak tours leaving from...read more
Kitty Hawk Woods is a unique environment: a maritime forest, shrub swamp and marsh. Totaling 1,824 acres, the Town of Kitty Hawk owns 461 acres with a...read more
A beautiful place for hiking, trail running and birding, Nags Head Woods Preserve is one of the best remaining examples of a mid-Atlantic maritime forest....read more
Let someone else do the driving while you look for wildlife and listen to narration about the wildlife, plant life and history at Alligator River National...read more
Outer Banks Adventures offers a variety of guided outdoor adventures on the Outer Banks, including airboat rides, SUP tours and wildlife and bear tours in...read more
Permanent exhibits at this education center focus on conservation, waterfowl and hunting heritage, natural history, local heritage, ecology and fishing....read more
The refuge’s visitor center, located on the northern end of Hatteras Island about 4 miles south of Oregon Inlet, is a good place to start a Pea Island visit...read more
Portsmouth Island, just across the inlet from Ocracoke Island, is an enchanting place to visit. This uninhabited island is rugged and remote, one of the...read more