Nags Head Woods: The Secret of the Outer Banks

I have been a fairly regular visitor to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for the last fourteen years. When I married a man whose mother lives in Nags Head, I began visiting with even more regularity. I have experienced many of the usual OBX attractions--spent days playing in the surf and lounging on the sand; visited the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse; climbed the dunes at Jockey's Ridge; shopped the outlets on a rainy day; and visited the Wright Brother's Memorial.

The Wright Brothers Memorial, which commemorates "the first flight,"sits atop a hill overlooking the Outer Banks. Visible from the memorial is the sound, the ocean, and many of the neighborhoods of Nags Head. In addition to the fascinating history one can learn about here, the trails leading up to the monument are dog-friendly.

Only recently, though, did I learn of a very well-kept secret--the Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve, a project of The Nature Conservancy.

Nags Head Woods sits on almost 2,000 acres in Dare County--not far from Pigman's BBQ and Mama Kwan's, on West Ocean Acres Drive. The preserve parking lot--which offers space for less than twenty cars--is hidden in the woods off a dirt road (which seems more like someone's driveway) at the edge of a neighborhood. It was no surprise I had never found this place before.

I should take a moment here to explain how I found out about Nags Head Woods in the first place. Occasionally, I get e-mail updates from The Nature Conservancy. Several months ago, the preserve was featured in one such update. I could not believe I had never heard of this place before, and couldn't wait to visit it myself. Not long after I learned of its existence, we found ourselves in Nags Head, but for reasons I cannot recall, I did not make it to the preserve. This past weekend, however, I was able to visit.

My two dogs joined me for a 2-mile hike, which included Discovery Trail and Roanoke Trail. Here is a glimpse of what we saw, followed by some helpful information presented in the form of FAQs.

On our way from the small parking lot to our first trail--Discovery Trail--my dogs and I were treated to a view of the first of many fresh-water ponds we would see during our trek.

This Live Oak, which can be found on Roanoke Trail, is believed to be hundreds of years old and sits near the ruins of the Tillet Family home, bricks from the foundation of which are still scattered about the site. There is an iron rod driven into this tree, and some believe the tree was likely where the Tillet Family would butcher their meat.

Roanoke Trail is a one-and-a-half mile out-and-back trail accessible via Discovery Trail. It ends on a small beach overlooking the sound, as shown by the three photos above.

As the dogs and I finished our hike, we were treated to another fresh-water pond. The water was still and clear, and perfectly reflected the nature that grew in and around it.

These colorful lichens adorned trees on the Discovery Trail, a half-mile loop that can be extended into a longer hike if you also take the Roanoke Trail.

You Might be Wondering...

1. How many miles of trail are available at Nags Head Woods?
The preserve offers about five total miles of trail.

2. Are any trails conducive to wheelchairs and/or strollers?
Yes! Nags Head Woods offers an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Assocation) trail of half a mile.
 
3. Can my dogs join me on the trails?
Your canine companions must be kept on a leash and are permitted to join you on Discovery Trail, Roanoke Trail, Nags Head Town Trail, and ADA Trail. 

4. Are there any fees to park or use the trails?
No. Parking and trail use are both free.

5. What will I see at Nags Head Woods?
Fresh-water ponds, colorful lichens, wildlife, ruins from an old homestead, sound beaches (depending on the trail you choose), swampland (depending on the trail you choose), old family cemeteries, etc.

6. Are there any special events coming up?
Yes! There are often special events scheduled at the preserve. In fact, Mother's Day Weekend will see The Nags Head Woods 5k Run, scheduled for Saturday, May 10, at 8:30 AM, a trail run through the preserve. To learn more, click here. To learn more about other upcoming events at the preserve, click here.

7. How do I get there?
Nags Head Woods is located at 701 West Ocean Acres Drive, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. West Ocean Acres Drive is at the stoplight near Mama Kwan's and Pigman's BBQ. Take West Ocean Acres all the way to where it narrows and becomes gravel. The small parking lot will be on your left.