North Carolina's Outer Banks and coastal areas are replete with state and national parks, reserves and other recreational facilities. Hunting, fishing, bird watching, boating, camping, hiking, kayaking, biking, and many other activities can be enjoyed in the many thousands of acres of these protected land and water areas. Historical and cultural sites, museums and educational displays dot the coast as well. Below is but a partial listing, with each location linked to an "official" web site. Viewing platform in Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge Parks and other facilities of North Carolina's Outer Banks and Coast Above: Geese flying just before sunset at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Below: Camping near the Point at Cape Lookout. Jockey's Ridge State Park Goose Creek State Park Hammocks Beach State Park Pettigrew State Park Elizabeth II State Historic Site Wright Brothers National Memorial Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Cape Hatteras National Seashore Cape Lookout National Seashore North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores North Carolina Maritime Museum Chicamacomico Life Saving Station Core Sound Waterfowl Museum Currituck National Wildlife Refuge Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge Above: NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Below: Mallards on Ocracoke. Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Swan Quarter National Wildlife Refuge Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge Nags Head Woods Preserve Currituck Banks Estuarine Reserve Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve Buxton Woods Reserve Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve Emily & Richardson Preyer Buckridge Reserve Roanoke Island Festival Park Elizabethan Gardens Lost Colony Outdoor Drama Related Links - State Historic Sites NC Office of Archives & History, Dept. of Cultural Resources Bird Checklists of NC US Geological Survey Beach Ramp access map and information NOTICE: Follow the ramp access link above for Important 4x4 access news   Copyright © 2003 Fred Hurteau * Copyright information and image use policy * To request digital images for publication, go to the Gallery. Visit these other web sites by Fred Hurteau