Facility Activities

Don’t miss the National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center on Roanoke Island and its state-of-the-art exhibits—all free! Or, venture to the Dare County mainland to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge’s popular Murphy Peterson Wildlife Drive, where locals compete to see who can count the most black bear in one evening. Wildlife abounds in the farming and moist soil management units along the Wildlife Drive. If you are looking for adventure, a great way to explore the refuge is by canoe or kayak, using the refuge’s 15+ miles of color-coded paddling trails. There are two half-mile, universally accessible wildlife trails for a leisurely stroll in a beautiful, quiet and secluded place. Enrich your experience by joining us for an open-air tram tour or interpretive program.For wildlife photographers, there are great photographic opportunities if you have patience. Hunting and fishing are allowed with restrictions. In fall, the refuge joins other eastern North Carolina refuges and partner organizations each year to host the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, a celebration of migrant waterfowl and other local wildlife.

Auto tour

The refuge has an incredible Wildlife Drive where black bear, wild turkeys, all kinds of birds of prey, waterfowl, and other wildlife may be seen. Locals drive around after supper and compare notes about how many bears they have seen in different fields. There's even a chance to see an elusive...

Wildlife watching
Many refuges champion wildlife viewing as a key recreational activity.
Ranger-led programs

The refuge offers a range of programs about the wildlife and habitats on the refuge, such as bears and red wolves. Open-air tram tours are offered on the first Saturday of each month, November thru May and on Wednesdays June thru August. Canoe tours are typically offered...

Hiking

There are two half-mile (one-way) universally accessible trails on the refuge: the Sandy Ridge Wildlife Trail and Creef Cut Wildlife Trail. In addition, hiking is open in all areas open to the public, including many miles of refuge roads. Refuge roads closed to...

Hunting

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge contains approximately 160,000 acres, most of which are open to hunting. There are more than 150 miles of old logging roads that provide hunting access, some for vehicles and some on foot. Vehicular access is restricted to designated roads. Visitors...

Fishing

Sport fishing is allowed on any open area of the Refuge in accordance with State and Federal regulations. Waters available for fishing include East Lake, South Lake, Whipping Creek Lake, Sawyer Lake and Swan Lake. Brackish bays/estuaries include Pamlico Sound and Alligator River. Streams...

Birding

The refuge is a birding hotspot, with excellent habitat for field and forest birds. In winter, the farm fields support thousands of wintering waterfowl, including elegant tundra swans. The field habitats are also home to species such as the declining northern bobwhite quail, northern...

Boating - non-motorized

The refuge has four paddling trails starting at the end of Buffalo City Road. There is a canoe/kayak launch and parking for vehicles, including those with trailers, at the end of the road (note that parking can fill up quickly during peak summer season). There is another...

Photography

We welcome beginning and expert photographers alike to record their outdoor adventures on film, memory card or internal hard drive! The Wildlife Drive is a great place to start. The open fields along the Wildlife Drive provide food and habitat for wildlife and an open landscape for viewing and...

Biking

Bicycling is allowed only on designated public access routes/roads. Bikes are not allowed on the Sandy Ridge or Creef Cut walking trails.

Please be aware of your surroundings when biking on the refuge. Stay at least 100 yards away from large animals such as black bears, coyotes, and red...

Boating - motorized

There are three North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission boat ramps, suitable for small boats, near the refuge; one off of Mashoes Road provides access to East Lake, another off of Old Ferry Landing Road provides access to Alligator River,...

Education programs

Is your school, youth, environmental or other group interested in learning more about the wildlife, plants, habitats and ecology of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge?  Refuges are wild places, and we want to teach you more about them!  We offer much for children and...

Accessible trails

There are two trails on the refuge. The Creef Cut Wildlife Trail is fully accessible and meets ADA requirements. The Sandy Ridge Wildlife Trail is a half-mile and more rustic and "wild" than Creef Cut Trail. Though it is possible for wheelchairs and strollers to use this trail...

Dog walking

Pets are allowed on refuge trails and roads. All domestic pets (dogs, cats, horses, etc.) must be properly confined, leashed (10-foot maximum), or haltered and under owner control at all times.

Dog training

The training of chase dogs is permitted only during modern gun deer season. Please see the Hunting section for more information. The use of dogs is restricted to designated areas. All dogs must be confined or leashed and under owner control when not engaged in hunting. Hunters may walk on closed...

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is allowed only on roads open to motorized vehicles. Groups of 6 or more horses must have a Refuge Special Use Permit. For questions, please contact the refuge.

Firewood cutting

Firewood cutting requires a special use permit; contact the refuge for more details. There is no guarantee you will receive the permit, and you should apply early enough to allow 2-4 weeks for processing.