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The first national seashore in the country,
Cape Hatteras National Seashore,
extends from south Nags Head to Ocracoke Inlet and includes Hatteras
Island (Dare County) and Ocracoke Island (Hyde County) in its 75
mile, 30,000 acre entirety. ''The Park'' as it is referred to locally, offers
a wide variety of activities. From birding to boating; camping to cycling;
fishing to folklore; and surfing to seashells with natural and historic
attractions thrown in, this is the place to be! Things to do, see, experience and learn are plentiful on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Several ways to enjoy your visit to this pristine area are: Birding - a year-round activity. The summer months are an excellent time for viewing terns and herons. Spring and fall viewing choices are migrating songbirds, hawks and shorebirds. The winter months bring a variety of migrating waterfowl. Recommended areas for birding include the area south of Cape Point Campground and Buxton Woods Nature Trail, both near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Other areas include the Hammock Hills Nature Trail on Ocracoke Island and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Fishing - requires no license or permit for salt-water fishing. Limited fresh-water fishing is available which requires a North Carolina fishing license. Interpretive programs - offered by the National Park Rangers, they include evening campfires, bird walks, beach walks, and learning about shipwrecks or pirates. Surfing or wind-boarding - both are popular sports with several good locations on the Outer Banks, including at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, and just north of the village of Buxton. Bring your own equipment, or rent or purchase locally. Swimming - depending on your abilities, you may chose to swim on the Pamlico Sound side, or the Atlantic Ocean. The sound is shallow and is not subject to the strong ocean currents, except around inlets. Trails/Hiking - several self-guided trails, averaging one mile each are available. Longer hikes can be taken along the dikes at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and on the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which runs through the Seashore. For more information: CLICK HERE |
