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Currituck National Wildlife Refuge is part of North Carolina's Outer Banks barrier island strand. The refuge, near Corolla, is comprised of five main tracts of land scattered along the barrier island.
The 1,142-acre Currituck Marsh and 247-acre Station Landing Marsh are the two northernmost tracts. The next tract to the south is 1,390-acre Swan Island.
The 380-acre Monkey Island area, which includes several small islands in Currituck Sound, adjoins a 335-acre parcel owned by the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve. Fifty acres of Nature Conservancy land also is nearby.
The two southernmost tracts are the County Marsh areas, together totaling 54 acres.
The refuge's variety of habitats include beaches and grassy dunes, forests, shrub thickets, marshes and mudflats. Freshwater ponds and grassy wetlands are also scattered throughout.
Wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, mammals, reptiles and amphibians are found on the refuge.
There are no developed public use facilities, but the refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Hiking, wildlife observation and nature photography are the primary activities.
Monkey and Swan islands are the only refuge tracts accessible by car. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for driving the beach. Local concessions in Corolla rent four-wheel drive vehicles and all-terrain vehicles.
Vehicle access is prohibited beyond the beach. Only foot access is allowed in and behind the dune area.
All of the refuge tracts are accessible by boat across Currituck Sound. The sound is relatively shallow, with an average depth of three to four feet. Depths along the shoreline may vary because of wind tides. Shallow draft boats are recommended. Travel across the sound is not recommended during high wind conditions. There are public boat ramps on the east side of Knotts Island.
Overnight camping and open fires are not allowed on the public beach or on refuge land.
Portions of the flat dune area may be closed to all public use, including vehicle access, during the spring and summer to protect nesting piping plovers. Dogs must be leashed.
Outdoor Activities |
