Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is administered through Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge from the Administration Office on Roanoke Island, North Carolina
National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center
100 Conservation Way
Manteo, NC 27954 (Roanoke Island)
252-473-1131
alligatorriver@fws.gov
Visitor Services programs focus on interpretation, environmental education, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and fishing. The refuge is 13 miles north to south and covers 5,834 acres of land and 25,700 acres of Proclamation Boundary waters.
The refuge is located on the north end of Hatteras Island, a coastal barrier island and part of a chain of islands known as the Outer Banks. The bird list for Pea Island Refuge boasts more than 365 species; the wildlife list has 25 species of mammals, 24 species of reptiles, and 5 species (low number due to salt environment) of amphibians.
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
14500 NC Highway 12, Rodanthe, NC 27968
252-987-2394
Directions: At the south end of Nags Head (intersection of NC 12, US 158, and US 64), follow the signs for Hatteras
Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and NC 12 south. You will make a left from Nags Head or a
right from Manteo at a traffic light onto NC 12 south. Follow NC 12 south for approximately 8
miles. Cross the Marc Basnight (Oregon Inlet) Bridge across Oregon Inlet. On the south
side of the bridge you will see the refuge entrance sign on your right. Approximately 4 miles south on the right is
the Visitor Center and an informational kiosk providing information on trails
and visitor opportunities. The Visitor Center is open 9-4 every day based on the availability of volunteers.
Points of Interest
Don’t miss National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center on
Roanoke Island and its state-of-the-art exhibits—all free! Then, venture to the Cape Hatteras National
Seashore to Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, a paradise for both birds and
birders. Don't miss the Visitor Center to
view displays on local wildlife. Then,
try out one of the scopes trained on North Pond to view various species of
birds found there seasonally. There are
two short, universally accessible wildlife trails on Pea Island. The North Pond Wildlife Trail is half a mile
long and terminates at a two level tower which offers spectacular views of the
surrounding ponds. The best birding is
during the fall and winter. This trail
is located near the Visitor Center.
There is also a service road that completely encircles North Pond, and
visitors may choose to walk the whole route, though insect activity and traffic
along the portion on Highway 12 make this less enjoyable for some. The Salt Flats Wildlife Trail is slightly
shorter and located on the north end of North Pond, terminating at a disabled-
accessible overlook providing views of the Salt Flats area and North Pond. During the summer, join refuge staff for
programs on topics ranging from sea turtles to life in the sound to bird
adaptations. The refuge also offers
guided canoe tours around the sound during the summer months.
Know Before You Go
When visiting Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, it is
always a good idea to bring drinking water, sunscreen, bug repellent, a light
jacket, and a hat and sunglasses.
Depending on the season, the bugs can be bad along the wildlife
trails. Many visitors also bring their
own scopes or binoculars and an identification guide for better wildlife
viewing.
Purpose of the Refuge
The purpose of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is to protect and conserve migratory birds and other wildlife resources through the protection of wetlands, in accordance with Executive Order 7864 of August 8, 1938.
Refuge Objectives
Provide nesting, resting, and wintering habitat for migratory birds, including the greater snow geese and other migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, and neotropical migrants.
Provide habitat and protection for endangered and threatened species.
Provide opportunities for public enjoyment of wildlife and wildlands resources. Public use programs focus on interpretation, environmental education, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and fishing.
Summary:
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 to
provide nesting, resting, and wintering habitat for migratory birds, including
the greater snow geese and other migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds,
raptors, and neotropical migrants; to provide habitat and protection for
endangered and threatened species, such as Loggerhead sea turtles; and to
provide opportunities for public enjoyment of wildlife and wildlands
resources. Public use programs focus on
interpretation, environmental education, wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, and fishing. The refuge is
13 miles long and covers 5,834 acres of land and 25,700 acres of Proclamation
Boundary waters. It is located on the
north end of Hatteras Island, a coastal barrier island and part of a chain of
islands known as the Outer Banks. The
bird list for Pea Island NWR boasts more than 365 species; the wildlife list
has 25 species of mammals, 24 species of reptiles, and 5 species (low number
due to salt environment) of amphibians.