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Places We Protect

Nags Head Woods Preserve

North Carolina

A young woman sits on a pier overlooking a pond, surrounded by trees with fall foliage.
Nags Head Hike November 2015. Bekah Herndon sits on a fishing pier at a freshwater pond along the Discovery Trail in the Nags Head Woods Preserve. North Carolina. © Ben Herndon for The Nature Conservancy

A gem of forested ridges, ponds, marshes and wetlands.

Nestled on the Outer Banks.

Visit Nags Head Woods Preserve

  • Please Consider your physical condition when planning your hike. Download the preserve's map for better navigation.

    Nags Head Woods has 8 self-guided trails. They all have different accessabillity features and difficulty level. Please review the visit section for more details about each trail.

  • Volunteer with us

    We are always looking for volunteers to help with trail maintenance.. 

    Contact Lora Eddy:  lora.eddy@tnc.org

    Oyster shells collecting site 

    You can drop off oyster shells at Nags Head Woods. These shells are used for oyster reef restoration. 

    Learn more about this project.

    Donate 

    Leave an impactful footprint at Nags Head Woods.

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Get up to date information about our conservation projects and success stories every month.

    Sign up!

  • 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. 

    • 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.

  • Please check the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website for the start date for the southeastern deer and urban archery deer seasons. Hunters must meet our program requirements and attend an orientation session, which is only held before the start of the season.

Photos from Nags Head Woods Preserve

Tag your preserve visits on Instagram with @tnc_nc to have your photos featured!

Pileated woodpecker.
Sunset at the sound.
Green forest and a swamp.
A person hiking through the woods.
Oyster shell recycling program.
Family walking at the ADA trail.
Yellow Golden Winged Warbler.
Green swamp surrounded by trees.
Visitors holding binoculars to see birds.
Preserve's signage.

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