Explore North Carolina’s Reserves.
In more than 44,000 acres of protected coast, what will you discover?
In This Section
The NC Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve protect more than 44,000 acres across 10 sites along the length of the North Carolina coast.
(Psst…the NC Coastal Reserve just celebrated its 30th anniversary.)
Things to Do
Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve (Credit: NC Coastal Reserve)
Get on and in the water.
Paddle, boat, wade, catch, dig, swim….and more.
Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve (Credit: NC Coastal Reserve)
Bird.
Spot and observe shorebirds, migratory waterfowl and songbirds, and more.
Rachel Carson Reserve (Credit: Paula Gillikin/NC Coastal Reserve)
Bring the kids.
Watch and wonder with them.
Currituck Banks Reserve (Credit: NC Coastal Reserve)
Learn.
The Reserves are sites of active research and serve as a living laboratory for teaching and learning.
Masonboro Island Reserve (Credit: NC Coastal Reserve)
Explore the trails.
Across dunes and through the maritime forests up and down the coast!
Rachel Carson Reserve (Credit: NC Coastal Reserve)
Experience wonder.
Feral horses roaming the beaches, rare coastal plants tucked in amongst the maritime forest, birds flying overhead, and running to and from the waves. There is so much to discover.
Find Your Reserve
Zoom in to see all of the reserve sites and offices in a region. Click on the reserve site icons and blue and green dots to learn more about each reserve.
New! Take a Virtual Tour
Bird Island Virtual Tour
Explore our beautiful Bird Island Reserve from home with this NEW virtual tour, which discusses the Reserve’s history, habitats, wildlife, and special species of interest. Enjoy!
Bird Island is an undeveloped barrier island located at the southwestern edge of the North Carolina coast, situated between the Town of Sunset Beach and the Little River Inlet in South Carolina. The Reserve site encompasses 1,481 acres of pristine sandy white beaches, high natural dunes, beautiful salt marsh, and tidal creeks.
Follow the NC Coastal Reserve on social media @NCReserve
