Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve
Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve
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4.0
24 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
13
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
David W
6 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Great place to see coastal native plants. The terrain is ancient sand dunes that are now woodlands. During our visit in mid-May, we saw the following native plants in bloom: spotted pipsissewq (Chimaphila maculata), grass-leaved ladies’ tresses (Spiranthes praecox), spurge nettle (Cnidoscolus stimulosus), partridgebarry (Mitchella repens), and redring milkweed (Asclepias variegata), plus lots of ferns and woodies. The trails are easy, but parking is limited.
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thomp1959
Delaware, OH700 contributions
May 2014 • Family
This is a hard-to-find site but well-worth the search if you enjoy nature. We wanted a location to hike and found this listed on a trail web-site. Actually getting there was a trick. The JPG map on their web site lists a couple of access points but is not of sufficient scale to get you there.
We got "about there" about 9:40 and I violated the man-code and asked a man walking with a boy where to park. The access road is only slightly improved sand - OK for us in a 4WD Explorer and probably everyone else in fair weather. Once we found a parking spot and started our walk, we seemed to have the entire woods to ourselves. As the web-site says, the trails aren't well-marked; however, they are fairly well-defined. One path is paved and appears to have been a planned road some time in the past - complete with blue reflectors and fire hydrants. The others are covered with pine needles or leaves. Birds are plentiful and sang throughout out our hour-plus hike. It is definitely a hiking trail. My 2 YO son made it a little over a mile before asking to ride in the back-pack carrier. We spotted a couple of snakes and several frogs. Butterflies were also plentiful.
If you decide to go: Take Barlow south from 158. It is the first south road after crossing the Wright Memorial Bridge - or last light before the bridge if you are west-bound. Barlow will veer right at a V; take Amadas Ave to the left. There is a small sign that I missed but my wife saw. Amadas will go from paved to gravel to sand and "T" out on Colleton. Park off to either side just before Colleton. A trail-head starts at the "T".
We got "about there" about 9:40 and I violated the man-code and asked a man walking with a boy where to park. The access road is only slightly improved sand - OK for us in a 4WD Explorer and probably everyone else in fair weather. Once we found a parking spot and started our walk, we seemed to have the entire woods to ourselves. As the web-site says, the trails aren't well-marked; however, they are fairly well-defined. One path is paved and appears to have been a planned road some time in the past - complete with blue reflectors and fire hydrants. The others are covered with pine needles or leaves. Birds are plentiful and sang throughout out our hour-plus hike. It is definitely a hiking trail. My 2 YO son made it a little over a mile before asking to ride in the back-pack carrier. We spotted a couple of snakes and several frogs. Butterflies were also plentiful.
If you decide to go: Take Barlow south from 158. It is the first south road after crossing the Wright Memorial Bridge - or last light before the bridge if you are west-bound. Barlow will veer right at a V; take Amadas Ave to the left. There is a small sign that I missed but my wife saw. Amadas will go from paved to gravel to sand and "T" out on Colleton. Park off to either side just before Colleton. A trail-head starts at the "T".
Written 2 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelties and Birds
1 contribution
Apr 2019 • Solo
I walk my dogs and birdwatch here frequently in the winter and early spring. It's a great place with wildlife and well marked trails. However, reviews are going to vary largely because there are a lot of trails, not at all contiguous, so people are really talking about different spots.
I'd recommend the trailhead at the end of Ridge Rd. There's space for a couple cars right at the trailhead, and an excellent map as you enter. This section is of trail is very easy, wide, and comfortable to walk. As the trail map will indicate, after a few minutes you come to a major trail intersection, and I would strongly recommend that you go straight or else to the right. If you choose left, you end up along the sound, and that trail is not nearly as well kept, and you eventually end up on private land without meaning to do so. (The sound overlook is okay, but nothing special.)
Lots of birds -- around this time of year (early April) Osprey, Wood Ducks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Hermit Thrush, Pine Warblers, among others. And lots of interesting things for dogs to sniff!
Another interesting trail can be accessed from the end of Birch Lane. A great nature walk, but the trail is far more narrow, parking is a bit awkward, and it is not a walking loop -- you have to retrace your steps when you get to the end.
I'd recommend the trailhead at the end of Ridge Rd. There's space for a couple cars right at the trailhead, and an excellent map as you enter. This section is of trail is very easy, wide, and comfortable to walk. As the trail map will indicate, after a few minutes you come to a major trail intersection, and I would strongly recommend that you go straight or else to the right. If you choose left, you end up along the sound, and that trail is not nearly as well kept, and you eventually end up on private land without meaning to do so. (The sound overlook is okay, but nothing special.)
Lots of birds -- around this time of year (early April) Osprey, Wood Ducks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Hermit Thrush, Pine Warblers, among others. And lots of interesting things for dogs to sniff!
Another interesting trail can be accessed from the end of Birch Lane. A great nature walk, but the trail is far more narrow, parking is a bit awkward, and it is not a walking loop -- you have to retrace your steps when you get to the end.
Written 13 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie W
Raleigh57 contributions
July 2014 • Solo
Loved the trails, very well marked, but be sure to take bug spray and a stick to wave around for all the spider webs!
Written 3 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
willie535
Seaford, VA14 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
If you like to get away from the hustle and bustle on the Outer Banks from a while, this is a quiet stroll through as lovely area. Lots of flowers and wind blown trees.
Written 12 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vaughn G
Chapel Hill, NC119 contributions
July 2017 • Couples
This is five minutes on uncrowded roads from our beach rental, as opposed to the hour drive to the Alligator River preserve. Very easy to launch a kayak and SUP. I will come with every visit to OBX now. A nice activity when there isn't enough wind to sail.
Written 23 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dlfulton85
Pittsburgh, PA42 contributions
June 2017 • Friends
We hiked the Kitty Hawk woods. Stopped at the main office first for advice on where to start, where to park. Attendant at the office was very helpful. We started at the designated start point. We must have been the first hikers of the day as we encountered numerous spider webs traversing the walking paths. That's why you carry a small broken tree branch in front of you. Trail was very well marked with little placards placed along the way educating the reader about maritime forests. Very interesting. We did get slightly lost and ended up walking on private property (accidentally) but that was our fault. Trail does take you near the sound waters for a nice view. I recommend this to any casual hiker. Take bug spray!!
Written 24 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff K
Waldorf, MD311 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
We are relatively beginner kayaker and found a great little place to kayak. The preserve has all kinds of canals to explore that eventually lead to the sound. The water is calm and to paddle through. We stayed out on the water for about 3 hours and didn't come close to exploring most of the area.
Written 12 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beachfoodsun
Kill Devil Hills, NC56 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
We spent the day walking the woods and the boardwalks in Kitty Hawk Woods. The trails are beautiful, the boardwalk is well maintained and the woods were nice.
Written 20 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank d
Winston Salem, NC3,281 contributions
Apr 2016 • Solo
This is a wonderful area to come to relax and have a leisurely walk or a brisk hike, it's all us to you. There are well maintained hiking trails and nature galore. Don't miss it !!!
Written 16 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi! We are researching things to do on the sound around Kitty Hawk. Are you able to bring your own kayaks or do you have to rent them?
Written 23 August 2019
You can launch your own kayaks from the public boat ramp on Bob Perry Rd. You can also take a guided kayak tour with one of 4 permitted companies. I own one of those 4 companies (Coastal Kayak Touring Company, 252-441-3393). Kayaks can also be rented through Kitty Hawk Kayaks on the north end of Ginguite Creek on Rt. 158 next to Islander Flags.
Written 18 November 2019
It depends which trails you want to walk.
Usually I park at the north end of Ridge Road. There is a little gravel area next to a playground and the trailhead.
I have also approached the same trails from the north, parking on Amadas Road just before it turns to sand and then walking five minutes along the sandy portion of Amadas straight into the trailhead.
For another trail, I park right at the end of Birch Lane.
Written 17 August 2019
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