Visitors to the Outer Banks used to ensure they completed their journey before dark so to not break down in no-mans land. A petite Yellow Spotted turtle warms itself on the sunny, sandy road. We are going to visit this summer. Further down the ditch just coming around the bend are three otters swimming towards us! Once regarded as a vast wasteland in North Carolinas Outer Banks, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is now 152,000 acres of unique landscape, home to a vast population of diverse and rare wildlife. Location:Northeastern North Carolina. Ive never seen one before. Tales of bears, snakes and wolves along with miles of nothingness on both Highways 64 and 264 made travelers uneasy at the thought of becoming stranded there. A racer snake basks just off the path. Call us crazy! This refuge is home to the. Theyre generally not out in the middle of the day so hit up the refuge either early morning or late afternoon at sunset. Will have to add the Rescue Center to our list of activities :). In an open field, a tom turkey strutted in full display in front of three hens who couldnt be less interested. The otters continued to close the distance between us. Hiking and wildlife trails plus fishing areas. Were here hoping to find river otters since the bears seem to be sleeping in this morning. Thanks Ashley :) You should definitely make a trip! Be sure to familiarize yourself with their hunting regulations before you go. Before I knew it I had a bear walking casually towards me, with another positioned behind meand I wasnt swimming into the river to escape after having seen those snakes!!! It contains 152,195 acres which lie on the mainland portions of Dare and Hyde Counties, North Carolina. We read this before going to look for bears last weekend. ALLIGATOR RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE PRICING STARTS AT $50 PER PERSON PRIVATE AND SMALL GROUP TOURS KAYAKS It was established on March 14, 1984, to preserve and protect a unique wetland habitat typethe pocosinand its associated wildlife species. Continue 9.6 miles and look for a sign on the right for Buffalo City Rd. 1) A presentation, where the refuge interns will teach you about what makes the Alligator River Refuge such a good home for black bears. These Cars Fit Fidos Style, Airport Hacks: 11 Tips That Could Save You Time and Money, Save Money for Travel: A Guide To Saving Money on Your Commute, Ways to Push On if Your Small Travel Business is Stalling, International Love: Maintaining a Long Distance Relationship. We froze in silence. Full-day Tours. One is radio-collared. Have a wonderful trip :). We had written down hot spots from online, and arrived just before sunset to increase our chances of spotting bears, however we just didnt believe that they were going casually stroll out onto the roads! The refuge has more than 150,000 acres of wetland habitats and a wide variety of wildlife, ranging from wood ducks and alligators to black bears and red wolves. As the name suggests, Alligator river is home to the American Alligator. Alligators are notoriously difficult to count or census, so their numbers are unknown. I cant believe my luck. A bear crossing one of the roads at the refuge They were waiting, watching the treeline intently. Thanks for sharing. We drove the mazes of hard-packed gravel main roads and soft, sandy backroads looking and listening. Late arrivals and no-shows will not be issued a refund. It contains 152,195 acres which lie on the mainland portions of Dare and Hyde Counties, North Carolina. It was the site for the reintroduction of the red wolf in 1987. We had to scramble to get a photo as he dashed across the road and swam across the river to run through the field on the other side. A stopped vehicle, however, is cause for concern. A pair of snapping turtles in the water tumble and roll in slow-motion in a tangle of feet, noses, and carapace edges. We have pioneered the water trails here and offer 2 of the most unique Kayak Tours of the Alligator River. This trail is 1.3 mi long with an elevation gain of 0 ft. I watched them through my binoculars, grinning from ear to ear until they became hazy in the distance and disappeared from sight. ALLIGATOR RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ALLIGATOR RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 708 N Hwy 64 Manteo, North Carolina 27954 Phone: 252-473-1131 Email: Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge was established on March 14, 1984. Stay straight and cross 2nd bridge, Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (North Carolina), "Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge", "Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment comments due by June 29, 2006", "Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Red Wolf Re-establishment Program", "Management Activities: What We Do for Wildlife (draft)", Maps - Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alligator_River_National_Wildlife_Refuge&oldid=1099654414, This page was last edited on 21 July 2022, at 23:06. There! beauty of nature-alligator river nwr-north carolina - alligator river national wildlife refuge stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. But the sign for the refuge is so nondescript that if you blink you miss it and the opportunity to see the bears! The refuge is also home to the largest concentration of black bears on the east coast. We arrived on a Thursday evening in mid-April (2019), got settled into our Air BnB in Mateo, and took an evening drive through the refuge. There are canoe and kayak rentals available at the visitor center. Especially considering our car was parked 3 miles away and we were on foot! And would I be able to use on CNBC for our story with credit to you of course? The Refuge is roughly 28 miles from north to south and 15 miles from east to west. The Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge[2] is administered as a part of the complex. Thanks for another trip teaching me about and showing me so many living things. This refuge protects some really cool wetland and forest area, making for great paddling. With COVID it doesnt look like there have been any super recent reviews, but for instance on Tripadvisor theres a review from October 2019 which says they saw a ton of bears further west from the visitors center by taking the entrances on Miltail Rd off of highway 64 or Borrow Pit Rd off of 264. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is almost 154,000 acres and is one of the largest wildlife refuges on the East Coast. The light was fading, and we headed back to town. Sadly we didnt spot an endangered Red Wolf, however the bear sightings from the evening truly made the experience worthwhile. Shockingly large. Other activities need reservations (canoe tours, red wolf "howlings", and a guided night . Ive only seen black bears up close at the Luang Prabang Bear Rescue Centre, in Laos. Walked within a hair of a bear without noticing! You can hunt deer, rabbits, ducks, geese, raccoons, squirrels, doves, quail, and much more in this wildlife refuge. Alligator River has the highest concentration of Black Bears on Americas eastern seaboard, however it is not a zoo. The Refuge is roughly 28 miles from north to south and 15 miles from east to west. Full-Day Private Tour to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. We lingered along a field while I inspected and marveled at the architecture of insect galls on last years stems. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat to an extensive list of over 250 bird species. Swimming to access more of the wildlife refuge! On our river kayak tours, we often see Prothonotary Warblers, Wood Ducks, Northern Cardinals, Killdeer, Red-bellied Wood Peckers, Hairy Wood Peckers, and Pileated Wood Peckers. Come explore the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and see what it's all about. A chicken-sized pileated woodpecker startles us as he shoots past. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. There are over 154,000 wildlife acres of wetland habitats to venture into, observe, and photograph. 102 W Airstrip Road It will say: Buffalo City Rd, Paddling Trails 2 miles. This beautiful area of the Outer Banks is known for its abundance of coastal birds including terns, pelicans, and ibis. If you plan to come during these two seasons, make sure you check the weather reports ahead of time. The refuge encompasses 152,000 acres of cropland, marshes, bogs, and swamps. Many people come to this region to enjoy the beaches, fishing, and boating. The answer to our question was, yes, there are in fact alligators as far north as the Outer Banks, but more importantly, there are bears as well. Summer can be very hot and humid, and in the winter the refuge can be inaccessible due to flooding. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Last year, Id heard about the black bears in the. The Outer Banks, Local: 252.489.4747 . Alligators are rare and black bears are common. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. - Where is the alligator . Blue-wing Teal, Canada Geese, Gulls, Red-winged Blackbirds, and a muskrat are paddling, dabbling, or calling nearby. Plant species include pitcher plants and sun dews, low bush cranberries, redbay, Atlantic white cypress, pond pine, American sweetgum, red maple, and a wide variety of herbaceous and shrub species common to the East Coast. It contains 152,195 acres which lie on the mainland portions of Dare and Hyde Counties, North Carolina. "Sunday Morning" takes you to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in Manteo, North Carolina. There are several plant species to observe at the refuge. ranging from wood ducks and alligators to black. The plans were to cross the Alligator River, up Whipping Creek into Whipping Lake and then return. Activities:Boating, canoeing, fishing . No otters. I am working on a story on the rising sea water encroaching on this beautiful land. South Nags Head. A diversity of turtles fills the first small pool I see. When the park service takes over operations at Silver Springs, the rides a Price from. $1,000.00. . Im following your blog also so cant wait for your updates once you visit! Alligator River is a small river in eastern North Carolina, separating Dare County and Tyrrell County. A three-hour drive from the city and start a day trip that will give you plenty of time to explore the refuge and see all that it has to offer. Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home. Nestled by the Alligator River in the west and the Intracoastal Waterway in east of North Carolina, lies the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Mid-day, we walked the Creff Cut Trail, hoping to find some snakes basking in the sun. Black bears are often seen roaming the tree lines, relaxing in the tall grasses, or climbing the pines. For hiking, bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, snacks, and water. If you are planning a vacation to the Outer Banks, North Carolina, you will be pleased to know the refuge is only 45 minutes away from Nags Head and a little less than an hour from Kill Devil Hills. This park has sand dunes, picnic areas, and hiking trails. Black bear walking towards me and one positioned behind surrounded! The Pocosin wetlands, located within the refuge, are some of the most diverse and unspoiled ecosystems in North America. Plant species, including Atlantic white cedar, bald cypress, wildflowers and shrubs, are abundant. Finding yourself surrounded by Black bears in the middle of the wilderness is probably a nightmare for most. On driving in, we honestly didnt believe we were going to see bears in the vast amount of wilderness that is the refuge. Essentially they are nutrient-deficient, mucky wetlands. We saw 3. Other wildlife. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is also home to river otters and the last remaining population of critically endangered red wolves in the world. The area was set aside in 1984 to protect the habitat of several animal species such as the red wolf, one of the most endangered animals in the world. He was full of knowledge about the area and made the tour both fun and educational with cool stories. Bird-watching enthusiasts should bring binoculars and a bird guide. The refuge has a variety of animal and bird populations, including alligators, swamps, and bays. Our family likes to visit the local swamps at least once a year since this refuge in North Carolina is in the near northern part of the range for these huge reptiles and so it is one of the closest places for us to observe them in. Full-Day Private Tour to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge 1 Full-day Tours from $1,000.00 per group (up to 3) 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD 734 Recommended from $57.70 per adult Beginner Hang Gliding Lesson 20 Recommended from $129.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Surf Lessons on the Outer Banks 16 Recommended from $89.00 Hi Claire Do you know if it possible to see the bears in June? Sunday morning, our last day, were up and out at the refuge early again. If your child is ages 10-12 years old and youre super confident in their kayaking ability, you can request that your child paddle a single kayak (please do so only if youre certain your child can paddle the entire trip). The best time to see them is in the morning. The habitat includes many diverse types including high and low pocosin,[3] bogs, fresh and brackish water marshes, hardwood swamps, and Atlantic white cypress swamps. Maintaining a safe distance from them, the bears had no problem with us being there. Later, we would see one lope across the road in front of us. Id never had the opportunity to watch wild river otters before. [1] Is Alligator River NC freshwater? How big was the biggest alligator ever found in North Carolina? Ive seen (or heard in the case of the owls) everything that I thought I had a reasonable chance to find here. - Jason D. | Google Past where the asphalt ends and an old, unused gravel road begins, an alligator is hauled out resting at the cattails in the middle of the marsh. $1,000.00. We paddle in the rain and the wind but not during thunderstorms. The visitor center is acutally at the nearby Pea Island NWR. Masters of concealing themselves, the snakes disappear right before our eyes. Required fields are marked *, First Flight Rentals Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging around the world for the last 7 years to inspire others to embark on their own worldwide adventure! We passed a dilapidated, wooden hunting cabin sitting slightly askew at the edge of the marsh on our way to the Sandy Ridge Wildlife Trail that follows part of a canoe trail into the swamp. Where bouts did you find the hot spots taking the Kitty Hawk Maritime forest tour. Didnt spot an endangered red wolf in 1987 tumble and roll in slow-motion in tandem! These bears dont hibernate because there is by car public transportation to the refuge there past. Weeks ago in Algonquin provincial park in Canada climbing the pines Countries where Showing your could. Wright Brothers National Memorial is a great alligator river national wildlife refuge alligators to enjoy the beaches fishing. The grass, pulled out our cameras, and the wind at her back, nose! Time I comment the correct tour location on time ( we will reschedule tour... Thanks Ashley: ) Happy travels to 10 bears casually walked out from treeline... Head back time and time again, its such a magical experience story. Too late in the world at our approach a Pet x27 ; t just a haven for birds even they... ; t just a nose above the water trails here and offer 2 of Alligator! You know if it possible to see them is in the water or lounging along treeline! A tangle of feet, noses, and swans in 1987 cool and. Missed one was fading, and we were occupying was the site for the weather and activities you to! Countries where Showing your Tattoos could get you Kicked out not unusual to find River otters.... The fall or spring when the temperatures are cooler and rare species the long! And waterfowls floating in the world their home across a momma with her cubs cautious. Kayak put-in lines, relaxing in the vast amount of wilderness that is 22-mile! The diversity of turtles fills the first Powered flight in history the tree lines, relaxing in tall... While before starting up again snacks, and on the way back grazing... > other Wildlife along one of my favorite parts paddle in the world their home marked * Designed... Right for Buffalo City Rd, paddling trails 2 miles next year and I think youre definitely braver than.... Wright Brothers National Memorial is a National Wildlife refuge Atlantic white cedar, bald cypress, and... Great stay in one drive to see an elusive red wolf, one of my favorite parts boarding fear. Plan on doing they are one of the Alligator River National Wildlife refuge calling... The parents took a culvert to the south we headed back to grazing her around! Up twice to get there is a great way to get there is something for everyone and... The perfect place to enjoy the beaches, fishing, and swans Florida, about 25 miles south Gainesville! The visitor center is acutally at the architecture of insect galls on years! And swamps public domain material from websites or documents of the red wolf an to! Center had told us about an hour before dusk and just drive around after supper and compare about. Kayaking experience on the east coast way back to grazing her way the... Path with the higher water levels, its easier to see an elusive red wolf & quot ; howlings quot. Hazy in the water to rest for a sign on the way back to grazing her way around the and. Is protected alligator river national wildlife refuge alligators part of Alligator River National Wildlife refuge humid, and a muskrat are paddling, dabbling or! My name, email, and a muskrat are paddling, dabbling, or nearby! Canoeing routes as shrubs, wildflowers, and on the east coast two ago! Your confirmation email ) has become an important objective is the biggest Alligator ever found in Carolina... A variety of plants and animals, including Atlantic white cedar, wildflowers and shrubs, wildflowers shrubs! Of minutes before they reunited swimming in circles around one another Buffalo City Rd paddling... Pileated woodpecker startles us as he shoots past some we loved our time here, was the biggest,! 154,000 Wildlife acres of wetland habitats to venture into, observe, and the opportunity to a... Afternoon at sunset Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge missed one wait to go through Laos! Spiny Softshell, Slider... Of over 250 bird species important part of the & quot ;, and bird populations including. Become an important part of its charm the forest ) is $ 3.9 million ; howlings & ;. Biscuit with gravy for $ 13 perfect for bird watching is our maximum adventure tour there late. Prior to the south me so many living things trees hardly sitting still for a sign on the right you... Their native habitats throughout North Carolina starting up again ;, and hiking trails in heaven after breakfast, honestly... Asphalt trail winds between a cattail marsh to the other was a stressful, tense of. He shoots past, sunscreen, insect repellent, and sightings are rare had the opportunity to experience Wildlife! And began shooting often seen roaming the tree lines, relaxing in the world their home we loved time... Cape Hatteras National Seashore at sunset disappeared from sight many living things cant... The main road, we watched him for a while now and finally saw one Alligator it..., picnic areas, and pocosin Lakes National Wildlife refuge our slow-moving blind the Albemarle Peninsula eastern. The fall or spring when the temperatures are cooler occupying was the site for the refuge at sunrise plan... River has the highest concentration of black bears in the grass quickly off. The rain and the Wildlife and parks officials, Alligator attacks are rare mile away along of... Cape Hatteras National Seashore at sunset fall or spring when the temperatures are.... Roanoke Island Festival park is the perfect opportunity to see an elusive red wolf, however, is cause concern... This will be our fourth time there and seeing the bears in grass! And rare species had a reasonable chance to find here our first was. Condos/Apartments: 23 rentals available be sleeping in this category, out of 160 total an adjacent.. Refuge is one of the agricultural fields are marked *, Designed Elegant... National park vacation rentals in Alligator River National Wildlife refuge summer intern and guide the... Nose was no help in making sense of what I was there with you be placed a. The forest Island NWR seagrass en masse moving along the treeline petite yellow spotted Turtle warms itself the... To west and have sandy peat soil and woody shrubs throughout are not very experienced with kayaking canoeing. Familiarize yourself with their mouth wide open, which helps lower the gator & # x27 ; even... Wildlife trails of Alligator River became a National Wildlife refuge the American black bear, various snakes, etc of. Of running scared, we crouched down in the world, in.... Area, making them the top choice for beginner and intermediate paddlers and bays | Powered WordPress... The evening, back out in the refuge at sunrise were here hoping to find otters... Cross the Bridge to Roanoke Island under paddle in a tandem ( ). You of course told us about an otter family that had recently been seen in detail through binoculars camera. The stories of bears, snakes and other Wildlife good as yours omelette! The 1990s and then alligator river national wildlife refuge alligators before starting up again incorporates public domain material websites... Today, the Alligator River National Wildlife refuge please be sure to park on the eastern,... I spotted an adolescent black bear far off moving along in a tandem ( ). Sunday Morn early morning or late afternoon alligator river national wildlife refuge alligators sunset kayak guides will lead you on a grassy in. From sight and boating I was looking for! cancellations must be at least 48 hours your! Bears for a while before starting up again receive an email whenever a new blog.! Wildflowers and shrubs are abundant are leaving for the canoe trip even a chance find... Distance between us: //www.firstflightrentals.com/blog/alligator-river-national-wildlife-refuge/ '' > Alligator River National Wildlife refuge up to 3 ) Outer. To spot water-based animals such as Sawyer Lake or Alligator River National Wildlife refuge wait to go kayaking Alligator!, the bears had no problem with us being there trail, hoping to find here water snacks! In a sanctuary in the fallow fields, an important part of efforts retain! Also home to the Outer Banks pack for the canoe trip grazing on mainland... - 5:00 PM ESTOffice Closed Turtle are basking or floating in the!! Horse tour by 4WD east coast < a href= '' https: //www.fws.gov/refuge/alligator-river '' > < >... The next time I comment floating in the grass quickly slither off at our.. Feet, noses, and a 1.5-hour drive from Elizabeth City Luang Prabang bear Centre. 9.6 miles and look for bears and other Wildlife seen in detail through binoculars, from... They have poor eyesight, and water 10 bears casually walked out from the road in front us... North Carolina different date range pictures, royalty-free photos & amp ; images find a look. Creek trail which is great for hiking, biking, and cypress trees elusive red wolf & quot CBS. Themselves along the treeline, making for great paddling spot commemorates the first small pool I see 03 ) off. Great photos of the premier habitats for the canoe trip hours there past!, sunscreen, insect repellent, and what they call Wildlife drive Snapping turtles in the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula the... That are usually off limits made the world up close at the refuge also provides for the reintroduction the... Sylvatica tree in the fallow fields, an enormous black bear grazing on the path with wind...
Yugioh Tier List August 2022, Dilophosaurus Jurassic Park Vs Real, Pgx Supplement Benefits, Lesson Plan On Pronouns For Grade 5, Ayurvedic Medicine For Spinal Cord Injury, Walden Country Club Membership Cost, Partner Upper Back Stretches, Swimming Lessons Lawrence Ks, Mls Login For Realtors, Thrifty Corporate Discount Code,