The Secret Woods of the Outer Banks

The Kitty Hawk Woods North Carolina Coastal Reserve, located in the town of Kitty Hawk in the Outer Banks, comprises over 1,800 acres of wooded area surrounded by the waters of the Currituck Sound to the west and the Kitty Hawk Bay to the south.

As I mentioned in my last post about Jockey's Ridge, my family has been vacationing in the Outer Banks for decades.  This is the first time we've visited the Coastal Reserve, and to be honest, we were (pleasantly) surprised at this find.  Being from Virginia, we are well experienced with trails in the woods, and were shocked that there was such a large, heavily wooded area in the region. 

With hiking, biking, and even horse back riding trails, the woods offers activities for many outdoor enthusiasts.  The trails are easy and would be perfect for families with small children, however it would be difficult for those with mobility issues due to muddy or flooded patches and thick ground cover.  It's also important to note that there are private properties scattered throughout the area, as well as designated bow and gun hunting regions. 

I highly encourage a visit to the reserve.  We decided to go on a cloudy, windy day and it turned out to be the perfect activity for the day as we were heavily shielded from the wind.  I recommend downloading a copy of the reserve map to carry with you- while the trails are marked, there are some cross overs, as well as areas on paved road.  Keep an eye out for the covered bridge- another happily received surprise that we never expected to find in the Banks. ​