Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest refuges in North Carolina. Located just 20 miles west of the popular Outer Banks town of Nags Head, the refuge is well known by nature enthusiasts for it’s diverse and rare population of wildlife. Greatly underutilized by area visitors, the Refuge is well worth the 20 to 30 minute jog from the OBX across the Virginia Dare Memorial or Manns Harbor Bridge.
Many vacationers who travel through mainland North Carolina have probably passed the Refuge without even knowing it. With only a few small brown signs to indicate the location of the 154,000 acre wildlife refuge, it’s easy to miss. Bordered by Alligator River and the Intracoastal Waterway, the Refuge extends a massive 28 miles north to south and 15 miles west to east – attracting nearly 50,000 visitors each year.
The History of the Refuge
Before the large patch of land was sold to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a portion of the area was known as Buffalo City. Part of the East Lake Township in Dare County, the small town was known for it’s logging mill and illegal moonshine network. Buffalo City lasted approximately 80 years from the 1870s to 1950s with a peak population of 3,000 residents that made it the largest community in Dare County at the time. The once thriving town used to have a hotel, post office, schoolhouse and over 100 miles of railroad track. Although there are no copper stills or leftover sawdust visible, you can get a glimpse of what it was like to live in the area during the towns’ logging and prohibition days.
Considered nothing more than a dismal swamp for years following the demise of Buffalo City, conservationists began to notice the areas unique connection of marshes, forests, and wetland habitats. On March 14, 1984, the 154,000 acre land was purchased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and designated as the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge was established with the purpose of protecting unique wetland habitat types and the associated wildlife species.
Wildlife
Believe it or not, the Refuge is one of the premier strongholds on the Eastern Seaboard for the American Black Bear. If you travel down one of the areas’ gravel roads during the early hours of the day or just before dusk, it’s not uncommon to spot more than a dozen black bears perusing the wide-open fields, enjoying the freshwater streams, or trouncing around the Refuges’ occasional patch of dense brush.
Along with the black bears, the Refuge is also known for it’s population of the endangered red wolf. In fact, Northeast North Carolina is the only place in the world where you can spot the wolves in the wild thanks to a 1987 reintroduction program. If you’re interested in hearing what these amazing mammals sound like, there are red wolf “Howlings” on a regular basis.
Apart from the harder to find wildlife residents, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is home to the American alligator along with quite a few mammals like: rivers otters, bob cats, racoons and rabbits.
The Refuge is also a temporary home to over 200 species of migratory birds including, geese, shorebirds, woodcock, and white swans. The local swans have become a quite popular attraction to visitors because they can be spotted in the hundreds if not thousands wading around in the large saltwater and freshwater pound found throughout the Refuge.
Nature Trails
Although many adventurous nature lovers many want to explore the 28 miles of unmarked territory of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, most visitors will probably want to stick to the three designated nature trails.
The Sandy Ridge Wildlife Trail is ideal for hikers who aren’t afraid of a challenge. The path leads visitors over makeshift bridges and through the moderately wooded area and then through the thick marsh. It’s recommended that hikers bring along their waders with the reward of possibly spotting one of the Refuges’ alligators, black bears, or red wolfs.
The most handicap accessible path, the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail and Fishing Area features a 250 foot boardwalk that overlooks the freshwater marsh – an ideal spot for birders. Open year-round to the public, this trail is a popular fishing hole and a perfect place to spot plenty of waterfowl.
The Milltail Creek Canoe and Kayak Trail is located at the southern end of Buffalo City Road and this water trail features four separate routes that span a total of 15 miles. You won’t have to worry about getting lost, there are easy-to-see markers located throughout each of the trails that guide visitors through the waterways and back to Buffalo City Road.
Kayak and Canoe Tours
Certainly one of the best ways to explore the Refuge is by kayak or canoe. There are many different companies that provide everything you need to explore the park, and will meet you at the Refuge with all of the equipment. jacket.
Kitty Hawk Kites and Coastal Kayak have kayak tours that typically last about 2.5 hours and run from late spring to early fall. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has regular canoe tours for a small nominal fee that goes back into supporting the wildlife safe haven. There are miles upon miles of paddling trails that wind through the Refuge, and it’s one of the best ways to spot a lurking alligator or black bear.
For more information about Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, contact the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Gateway Visitor Center at: 252-473-1131 or via email at alligatorriver@fws.gov. You can also learn more about the Refuge by visiting the Coastal Wildlife Refuge website or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.
Directions to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.
Filed under: Nature, OBX, Outer Banks
