Nags Head Woods Preserve

Conservation Highlights

Nags Head Woods Preserve on North Carolina’s Outer Banks protects one of the largest remaining maritime forests on the East Coast. Maritime forests such as Nags Head Woods have become increasingly rare due to the pressures of human development throughout coastal environments.      

Shielded from the ocean winds by the great sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the Preserve features a fantastic plant and animal life diversity. Towering oaks, hickories, and beech trees, some hundreds of years old, rise from the high ridges and create a canopy of trees more typical of the mountains of the eastern United States.  There are seven plant community types in the Preserve; one of those, the maritime deciduous forest, is globally rare. Over 550 species of plants have been documented at Nags Head Woods, ranging from tall trees to tiny orchids.  

The Preserve is a great spot for birding. It hosts more than 150 species of birds, at least 50 of which nest there. Brightly colored prothonotary warblers, summer tanagers and blue grosbeaks make Nags Head Woods home in the summer months to raise their young then return to Central and South America for the winter.  Not just for the birds, over 50 species of amphibians and reptiles have also been documented. Seven species of fish inhabit the freshwater ponds in addition to a great diversity of floating aquatic plant life, including the rare water violet.  More than 20 mammal species have been documented in Nags Head Woods. Lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of a river otter.  The most recent addition to the mammal list at Nags Head Woods is the bobcat, which is uncommon along the Outer Banks.   

The preserve is a self-guided facility open from dawn to dusk every day, free of charge. Based on staff availability, the restrooms and visitor lobby are typically open during business hours. Please plan ahead.

Parking is located at 701 West Ocean Acres Drive in Kill Devil Hills, NC. Our parking is limited. Trails that are accessible by a short walk from the parking area: Center Trail, Sweetgum Swamp, Blueberry, Discovery and ADA.

The ADA trail has two additional accessible parking spaces at the trailhead. All other vehicles will be towed. 

Preserve Guidelines

For your safety and to protect this fragile ecosystem, always stay on designated trails and have access to a trail map. We recommend closed toe shoes, long pants and sleeves, hats and insect repellent to protect from tick and insect bites. Bring plenty of drinking water with you. Bring binoculars to get better views of wildlife.

• Always stay on designated trails.

• Pets are permitted on leash and only on pet-friendly trails. Please clean up after your pet.

• Bicycles, horses and motorized vehicles are allowed on the gravel roadway only. Not allowed on any trail.

• No alcohol.

• Photo and video shoots are not allowed at the preserve.

• No weddings or unauthorized events are permitted.

• Bus parking is not available.

• No overnight parking.

• Research that takes place in Nags Head Woods must be permitted.

• Do not damage or remove any plants, animals or artifacts.
   

You can reach our program staff during office hours at 252-441-2525.

Details About Each Trail

ADA Trail (6)

1,850-foot pathway, a fishing platform with accessible space for fishing. This trail has two accessible parking spots at the beginning of the trail, a cross slope of a maximum of 2.5%, a grade of a maximum of 5%, a pathway width of 6 feet, and a surface made of concrete or wood boardwalk. This trail is pet and family-friendly.

Center (1), Sweetgum Swamp (2) and Blueberry Ridge (3) Trails

This is one big loop trail system divided into three parts. The trail system changes from an easy wide loop to a narrow (4 ft width) dirt path with roots and lots of good elevation to a mature maritime forest, wetlands, and interdunal ponds. You can access the trails off the deck at the parking area. No Pets are allowed. Sweetgum and Blueberry Trails are rigorous in skill level and take over an hour to complete. Please download the preserve map for more details.

Discovery Trail (4)

This is a short, moderate hike on a dirt trail accessed by walking out of the parking area and turning left down the gravel road. Look for the entrance on the right side of the road by a fence. This trail weaves through an open forest, over two wooden bridges, past freshwater ponds, and up a densely forested dune ridge. Be cautious descending the ridge towards Old Nags Head Woods Road. Permitted freshwater fishing is allowed at the large pond. This trail is pet-friendly.

Roanoke Trail (5)

This is an easy, longer hike on a wide dirt path accessed by walking out of the parking area, going left down the gravel road, and right at the intersection (.2 miles). The entrance is on the left side of the road by a fence. Once the driveway of a homestead, this trail has cultural history and a small beach at the Roanoke Sound. Bring your cell phones to access the audio tour. This trail is pet—and family-friendly. 

Nags Head Town Trail (7)

This is a longer, moderate hike on a wide dirt path accessed behind the playground and restrooms at Nags Head Town Park, 415 Health Center Drive, Nags Head, NC. The trail weaves up a densely forested dune ridge, crosses Old Nags Head Woods Road, descends into a wetland that turns into a brackish marsh and ends at a small beach at the Roanoke Sound.

YMCA Trail (8)

Short connector trail to the Town trail accessed behind the Outer Banks Family YMCA 3000 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC.

Informational Materials

• Nags Head Woods Trail Map: Descriptive map of trails and trail heads.
• Fishing at Nags Head Woods: Helpful information and regulations for fishing in the preserve.
• Animals of the Preserve: A categorized list of documented and expected wildlife.
• Plants of the Preserve: More than 550 plant species are found throughout Nags Head Woods.
• Butterflies of the Preserve: 50 known species of butterfly are found at Nags Head Woods.

Additional brochures are available at our outdoor information counter.