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An open marsh landscape with bands of different species of grasses and rushes, colored bright green, brown, and gray

Cedar Island

National Wildlife Refuge
Free to visit
1/2-hour before sunrise - 1/2-hour after sunset
Detailed hours
879 Lola Road
Cedar Island, NC 28520
Get directions

Plan Your Visit

The refuge offers opportunities for hiking, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, boating, fishing, and hunting. The refuge’s marshes are alive with waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, wading birds, marsh birds, mink, otter, and other wildlife species. There are two public boat ramps with launching and parking facilities. The refuge’s firebreaks and access roads are used by the public for hiking, biking, and bird watching. Visitors may (carefully) pull off on the side of NC Highway 12 to view wildlife.

A variety of hardy mosquitoes thrive at Cedar Island almost year-round; insect repellant is a must.

Interactive MapGet Directions
Hours
Opens: 1/2-hour before sunrise
Closes: 1/2-hour after sunset
Detailed hours
Safety Policies
For emergencies: 911
Rules and Policies

From Beaufort, NC:

  1. Start out going east on Cedar St toward Live Oak St/NC-101.
  2. Cedar St becomes Live Oak St. In 2.50 miles
  3. Turn right onto Hwy 70 Beaufort/US-70 E. In 2.69 miles
  4. Turn right onto Hwy 70 Beaufort/Outer Banks Scenic Byway/US-70 E. Continue to follow US-70 E. In 6.45 miles
  5. Turn left onto US Highway 70 Smyrna/Outer Banks Scenic Byway/US-70 E. Continue to follow Outer Banks Scenic Byway/US-70 E. In 6.15 miles
  6. Turn left onto US Highway 70 Davis/Outer Banks Scenic Byway/US-70 E. Continue to follow Outer Banks Scenic Byway/US-70 E. In 8.21 miles
  7. Stay straight to go onto Cedar Island Rd/Outer Banks Scenic Byway/NC-12. In 8.32 miles
  8. Turn right onto Lola Rd. In 2.19 miles Contact Center is on the left.

Cedar Island NWR may also be accessed via ferry (toll required) from Ocracoke Island.

Activities

In the foreground, 2 people with large orange backpacks hike up a steep slope of rock and lichen. In the background are big mountains with snow patches on top, a lake in a valley, and a cloudy sky.
Hiking
The refuge has no formally designated trails, but visitors may hike along the refuge firebreaks and access roads. These firebreaks/access roads are located on lands bordering the marsh and are unmarked, gravel surface.
A woman waterfowl hunting by a wetland at sunset
Hunting
Waterfowl hunting is permitted on the refuge in accordance with all state and federal regulations. Ducks are constantly moving back and forth from the refuge to other waterfowl wintering areas; when ducks are on the refuge, hunters can expect excellent gunning for scaup, bufflehead, black duck, pintail and other species. Two boat launches provide access to the public hunting area.
Two volunteers birding on sandpiper trail at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge.
Birding
270 species of birds may be observed at the refuge, 99 of which nest on the refuge. Visitors can see large concentrations of diving ducks, dabblers, and sea ducks in winter. Raptors, pelicans, wading birds, and shorebirds are also visible during many times of the year. If you listen carefully, you may hear the clattering of a clapper or king rail or the “kik-kik-ker” sound of the less common black rail.
woman reels in small fish while man watches intently
Fishing
Most anglers fish the refuge by boat. There are two boat ramps on the refuge, one along the side of NC Highway 12 at Thorofare Canal and another at the end of Lola Road. The boat ramps and the shoulders of Highway 12 are also spots for bank fishing.
A woman points while a child next to her looks through binoculars
Wildlife watching
A variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians are found on the refuge. The highway NC 12 causeway provides an excellent opportunity to view wildlife in the marsh--maybe a northern harrier or American black ducks flying over the needlerush, or a least bittern straddling two reeds at the edge of a canal.
A woman facing us in a broad-brimmed hat aims a camera's long lens at something unseen in the greenery.
Photography
The marshes and forests of Cedar Island provide opportunities for wildlife photography. The refuge currently has no developed trails, but roads and firebreaks provide pedestrian access for photography. The Lola Road boat ramp area is a popular spot for wildlife photography.
A small boat travels in the middle of a river with wooded riverbanks
Boating - motorized
There are two public boat ramps on the refuge with launching and parking facilities that provide access to canals through refuge marshes and the Pamlico Sound. One boat launch is located at Lola Road; another boat launch is located off of NC 12 at Thorofare Canal.
A colorful sailboat catches a breeze offshore of the refuge
Boating - non-motorized
There are two public boat ramps on the refuge with launching and parking facilities that provide access to canals through refuge marshes and the Pamlico Sound. One boat launch is located at Lola Road; another boat launch is located off of NC 12 at Thorofare Canal.

More Activities

Biking

Featured Species

Eastern black rail walks on decaying and live grasses in a marsh area.
Eastern Black rail
Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis
Bald eagle up close with wing raised
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
A sparrow--primarily gray and black with russet around the eyes--perches in tall marsh grass.
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Saltmarsh Sparrow
Ammodramus caudacutus

Get Involved

Cedar Island does not have volunteer programs at this time. However, there are several refuges nearby that do. If you have a talent or skill, and some time and energy to spare, contact the Mattamuskeet NWR office.

Services

Projects & Research

About

Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect and conserve migratory birds and other wildlife resources through the protection of wetlands. As part of the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Complex, it focuses on conserving habitats such as coastal fringe forests and estuarine marshes. The refuge is administered from Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge and aims to provide high-quality coastal habitat for migratory birds and other priority species.

About UsRules & Policies
An open marsh landscape with bands of different species of grasses and rushes, colored bright green, brown, and gray
Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge
879 Lola Road
Cedar Island, NC 28520
Get directions
252-926-4021
85 Mattamuskeet Rd
Swan Quarter, NC 27885
mattamuskeet@fws.gov

Cedar Island NWR is administered from Mattamuskeet NWR.