Facility Activities
While visiting the Outer Banks, venture to Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, a hot spot for both birds and birders. Drop by 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. The best birding is during the fall and winter, when thousands of migratory ducks, geese, and swans rest and refuel on the refuge.
There are two short, universally accessible wildlife trails on Pea Island. The half-mile one-way North Pond Wildlife Trail starts near the Visitor Center and terminates at a two level tower which offers spectacular views of the surrounding ponds. The Salt Flats Wildlife Trail is 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. There is also a service road that completely encircles North Pond, and visitors may choose to walk the whole route, though thorny vegetation, insect activity, and traffic along the portion on Highway 12 make this less enjoyable for some.
During the summer, join refuge staff for our sea turtle talk or a canoe tour!