Beaches

Often voted the number one beach in America, our secluded, natural shoreline is protected as part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and operated by the National Park Service—and with […]

National Park Service

The majority of Ocracoke Island is designated as part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is federally protected, which is why the island can boast miles of undeveloped, protected […]

Ocracoke Banker Ponies

Several hundreds of years ago, a shipwreck just offshore left a herd of Spanish mustangs stranded on Ocracoke Island. Their descendants still thrive here today. These ponies are a rare […]

Ocracoke Lighthouse

Built by hand in 1823, the Ocracoke Lighthouse will celebrate its 200th birthday this year! It is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina and the second oldest in […]

Springer’s Point Nature Preserve

This 122-acre nature preserve is open to the public and includes a 0.8-mile nature trail that winds through a maritime forest, salt marsh, and wet grasslands before ending at a […]

Hammock Hills Nature Trail

Hammock Hills nature trail is a ¾ mile loop that will have you traversing through a rolling and beautiful pine-laden forest, offering an up-close experience with a diverse collection of […]

Portsmouth Island

Established in 1753, Portsmouth Island was one of largest settlements along the Outer Banks, but changing shipping routes, Civil War, and a lagging economy caused many people to leave and […]