Coastal Reserves In North Carolina

Updated May 2025.

North Carolina Coastal Reserves Headquarters Office
101 Pivers Island Road
Beaufort, NC 28516
(Locator Map)

Bald Head Woods
Wilmington Office
UNCW/CMS
5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 350-2022
(Locator Map)
The 191-acre Bald Head Woods is a maritime forest at the center of Bald Head Island, which is otherwise known for high-end homes and vacation properties off of the southernmost tip of the state. The forest consists of extremely old, large trees of which live oak and laurel oak are the major species. The trees’ canopy shields the forest from salt spray. The forest also contains a freshwater pond home to such amphibians and reptiles as the southern toad, squirrel tree frog, eastern mud turtle, and black racer. (Bald Head Island’s canals are also home to alligators.) Bald Head Island may be accessed by private ferry from Deep Point Marina in Southport. An interpretive trail starts at the parking lot, and a portion of the trail is wheelchair accessible.

Bird Island
Wilmington Office
UNCW/CMS
5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 350-2022
(Locator Map)
Bird Island is a 1,481-acre stretch to the west of Sunset Beach in Brunswick County consisting of marsh, intertidal flats, subtidal area and about 135 upland acres.  Barrier island biotic communities that are present include upper beach, dune grass, maritime dry grassland, maritime wet grassland, maritime shrub thicket, maritime shrub swamp, brackish marsh, salt shrub, salt flat, and salt marsh, according to the Coastal Reserves program. The most notable species of the island are nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and seabeach amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus), a plant found in the foredune area. Both species are listed as threatened by the federal and state governments. Reach Bird Island from the western end of the beach at Sunset Beach or at the intersection of 40th and Main streets, where there is parking and a beach access. Turn right and walk the beach until you reach signs indicating the boundary of the Reserve. Click on the photo for more info.

Buxton Woods
Northern Sites Office
983 West Kitty Hawk Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-8891
(Locator Map)
Buxton Woods is on Hatteras Island between the border of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and N.C. 12. Its 1,007 acres are a part of the largest tract of maritime evergreen forest left standing on the Atlantic coast. Buxton Woods serves as an important resting place for migratory birds in the fall. More that 360 species, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons, have been recorded. Two rare butterflies (northern hairstreak and giant swallowtail) and a moth (messalina underwing) are also found in the area. Access the forest from N.C. 12 and Water Association Road or Old Doctor’s Road, and trails link it to the national seashore.

Currituck Banks
Northern Sites Office
983 West Kitty Hawk Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-8891
(Locator Map)
Currituck Banks Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, just north of Corolla, offers a short boardwalk and a 1.5-mile trail to allow visitors to explore  an undisturbed barrier island and low-salinity estuarine system. The 965 acres include ocean beach, sand dunes, grasslands, shrub thicket, maritime forest, brackish and freshwater marshes, tidal flats and subtidal soft bottoms. The Currituck National Wildlife Reserve and a small tract owned by the Nature Conservancy are adjacent. The North Carolina Birding Trail has included Currituck Banks Reserve as a site because it is well known for the waterfowl that it supports each winter. Take N.C. 12 north past Corolla to find the reserve.

Emily Richardson Preyer Buckridge Reserve
Columbia Office
P.O. Box 8
Columbia, NC 27925
(252) 796-3709
(Locator Map)
The Emily Richardson Preyer Buckridge reserve is both the largest single property in the Coastal Reserve at 29,335 acres and its first inland site. It is situated between the Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuges and is part of the East Dismal Swamp. The majority of the site contains non-riverine swamp forest with patches of peatland, Atlantic white cedar forests and pond pine woodlands. Confirmed rare species found on site include the red wolf, red-cockaded woodpecker, bald eagle, American alligator, timber rattlesnake, and pigmy rattlesnake. Buckridge Coastal Reserve is part of the N.C. Game Lands program, so hunting is allowed at the reserve seasonally. The reserve is south of Columbia and can be accessed via roads off of N.C. 94 that lead to three boat ramps, two of which, Gum Neck Landing and Frying Pan, are maintained by the state.

Kitty Hawk Woods
Northern Sites Office
983 West Kitty Hawk Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-8891
(Locator Map)
Kitty Hawk Woods is located in the village of Kitty Hawk on the sound side of Bodie Island on the Outer Banks. The coastal reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve encompasses 1,890 acres of maritime deciduous swamp, forest and marsh on a series of low ridges and swales. The site includes rare and delicate habitats, and visitors are asked to stay on the designated trails. Rare plants found on the reserve are southern twayblade and wooly beach heather. The hop hornbeam, rare on the Outer Banks, is only found in Kitty Hawk Woods and nearby Nags Head Woods, a Nature Conservancy site.  Kitty Hawk Woods also contains four species of orchids. Access the reserve at the end of Ridge Road or Birch Lane, at Kitty Hawk Park or at the intersection of Amadas Lane and Colleton Ave (4×4 required).

Masonboro Island
Wilmington Office
UNCW/CMS
5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 350-2022
(Locator Map)
Masonboro Island, the largest undisturbed barrier island along the southern part of the North Carolina coast, is approximately five miles southeast of Wilmington. The 8.4 mile-long island encompasses  5,653 acres, 87 percent of which is covered with marsh and tidal flats. The remaining portions are composed of beach uplands and dredge material islands. MasonboroIsland is also a National Estuarine Research Reserve. Loggerhead and green sea turtles nest on the beaches, and seabeach amaranth grows on the foredunes. All of these species are listed by the federal government as threatened. The Masonboro Island Reserve can only be reached by boat. Trails allow visitors to walk across the island to access the beach. Primitive camping is allowed at the Masonboro Island Reserve.

Permuda Island
Wilmington Office
UNCW/CMS
5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 350-2022
(Locator Map)
Permuda Island is 1.5-mile-long island with 63 acres of uplands in Stump Sound east of Topsail Island in Onslow County. Archaeological evidence indicates the occupation of the island as early as 300 B.C. The central portion of the island contains former agriculture fields. Above the spring tide limit of the supratidal salt marsh, the shrub thicket community consists of sporadic clumps of stunted trees and shrubs such as live oak, red cedar, yaupon and silverling. Permuda Island may be reached only by shallow-draft boat. “Given the presence of thick vegetation and abundance of snakes and insects, visitors are encouraged to enjoy Permuda from the water,” the site’s web page says.

Rachel Carson Reserve
Beaufort Office
135 Duke Marine Lab Road
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-2170
(Locator Map)
The Rachel Carson Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve comprises a complex of islands across Taylor’s Creek from Beaufort in Carteret County. Carrot Island, Town Marsh, Bird Shoal and Horse Island are at the western end of the site. Middle Marsh is separated from the rest of the site by the North River Channel. The entire reserve encompasses 2,315 acres. More than 200 species of birds, including 23 considered rare or decreasing in number, have been observed at the site, which is located within the Atlantic Flyway. In addition, feral horses, river otter, gray fox, raccoon and marsh rabbit inhabit the islands. Interpreter-led school field trips to Rachel Carson are offered April-October and must be booked at least two weeks in advance.

Zeke’s Island
Wilmington Office
UNCW/CMS
5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 350-2022
(Locator Map)
The lagoon-like complex of Zeke’s Island consists of 1,635 acres and includes Zeke’s Island, North Island, No Name Island (totally covered by marsh), a beach barrier spit and extensive fringing salt marshes and tidal flats. The site, which is also a National Estuarine Research Reserve, has a variety of habitats, including shrub thicket, maritime forest, sand dunes, ocean beach and the hard surface of the rocks. Both the loggerhead and green sea turtles, federally protected threatened species, occasionally nest on the site’s open beaches. The expanse of intertidal flats in the Zeke’s Island vicinity is the single most important shorebird habitat in southeastern North Carolina, says the state. U.S. 421 from Wilmington ends at Federal Point – adjacent to the Zeke’s Island site. Access  is primarily by boat, though the barrier spit is accessible by foot or off-road vehicle. There are pedestrian and vehicular accesses at the Fort Fisher Recreation Area.

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