Visiting the Outer Banks provides the opportunity to leave behind the hurried pace of everyday life and relish in the laid-back lifestyle of life along the ocean. White sandy beaches and carefully preserved natural areas offer the perfect setting for disconnecting in order to reconnect with nature and people who are most important.
Currituck Banks is one of those magical places that invite us to leave behind the technology of today for a simpler connection with nature. This area, which has been designated a National Estuarine Research Reserve, encompasses nearly 1,000 acres of diverse landforms, including beaches, sand dunes, grasslands, maritime forests, marshes, and tidal flats. With such a wide variety of habitats encompassed in this region, it’s no wonder that such a broad range of fish and bird species can be found here!
Popular Activities at Currituck Banks
Hiking, beach activities, wildlife viewing, and hunting (with a permit) are all popular activities that can be enjoyed with the Currituck Banks boundaries. Take a stroll down the Boardwalk/Sound Overlook Trail, pausing along the way to read interpretive signs that help visitors learn more about the ecosystem and wildlife that are represented here. The Maritime Forest Trail is also accessed from the boardwalk, which winds its way north through a maritime forest before ending at picturesque views of the sound. Currituck Banks is home to a wide variety of plant species, as well as mammals such as deer, squirrels, rabbits, opossums, and raccoons that can often be spotted along the way. Gulls, terns, and pelicans can be seen nesting near beach and dune areas. When you’re ready for a break from the beach, Currituck Banks offers a quiet respite for a walk among nature!
Beaches are also accessible from Currituck Banks! Visitors with 4×4 vehicles can access northern portions of the beach, while those wishing to park and access the shoreline by foot will find access a mile south of the reserve parking lot.
Planning Your Visit to Currituck Banks
To access Currituck Banks, take N.C. 12 north past Corolla. There is a parking lot for reserve visitors with a two-hour time limit for each vehicle. Visitors should be sure to stay on designated trails only to preserve the reserve’s fragile ecosystems. During summer months, poisonous plants and venomous snakes are potential hazards. As with all natural areas, leave no trace so the Currituck Banks can be a site of continued enjoyment for residents and visitors alike! Contact us!
Photo By Ryan J – bodie, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95792406
