Office of Environmental Education
All of North Carolina's EE Resources in One Place!
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
HealthEE Center


Program Information
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is the ideal outdoor classroom for a variety of EE related activities including similarities and differences in animals, needs of living organisms, animal life cycles, animal and plant adaptations, interdependence of plants and animals, population dynamics, and hydrosphere learning standards. Broader concepts including wetland habitats, water quality, and wildlife conservation can also be addressed through refuge program offerings.

Newsletter
Wings
http://www.fws.gov/alligatorriver/wings.html
Subscription Information
Available on-line to general public; quarterly newsletters e-mailed to members of the Coatsal Widllife Refuge Society. To become a member of the Society, refuge visitors can stop by the Pea Island Visitor Center or check out the web site https://www.outer-banks.com/coastalwildlife/form.cfm.

Site Information
Creef Cut Wildlife Trail is a half-mile, universally-accessible trail that's ideal for school groups or families, as well as individuals. A kiosk at the trailhead and wayside panels along the trail provide information about the refuge; and the habitats, plants and wildlife that occur here.

Also at the trailhead is a universally-accessible fishing platform. Since there is a canal that links this site directly with South Lake, there is a constant supply of crappie, bluegill, and other freshwater fish. A state fishing license is required.

A 200-foot boardwalk takes visitors out onto the freshwater marsh to the north of the trail. To the south, an overlook provides viewing of the Creef Moist Soil management area where waterfowl, raptors, and other migratory birds can be seen.

Sandy Ridge Wildlife Trail is also a half-mile trail, but takes visitors through very different habitats than Creef Cut Wildlife Trail. This trail consists of an earthen path and 2300 feet of boardwalk through a cypress swamp. The trail is very appropriate for wheelchairs or baby strollers; however, it is not advertised as universally-accessible due to several 1-2 inch steps.

A small portion of the paddling trails parallel Sandy Ridge Trail, so you'll often see paddlers going by....

Sphagnum moss beds, Atlantic white cedar, sun dews, and prothonotary warblers are among the highlights of this trail. You may even see an American alligator here!



Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (PLNWR)


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 		Red wolf photo by Greg Koch

Hours of Operation
Open 7 days a week, from sunrise to sunset.

Address
Rte. 64
East Lake, NC 27953
Directions
From Norfolk and Currituck Area: Take US 168 south. US 168 becomes US 158 about 18 miles south of the NC/VA line. Continue on US 158 for about 23 miles. At this point you will cross the Wright Memorial Bridge across the Currituck Sound. After the bridge continue on US 158 through Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head. At the south end of Nags Head, US 158 will transition to US 64 west. Continue on US 64 across one small and one large bridge on to Roanoke Island. Continue on US 64 across another bridge to Dare County Mainland. You will see a sign welcoming you onto the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. To find the main trails and visitor opportunities, continue west on US 64 (US 264 will turn off to the left about 1 mile past Manns Harbor). Approximately 4 miles west of the US 64/264 split is a parking lot on the left hand side of the road that serves as the trail head for Creef Cut Wildlife Trail. Here you will find refuge brochures and an informational kiosk.

Phone
(252) 473-1131 ext 230
(252) 473-1668 (fax)

Website  fws.gov/alligatorriver

Contacts


Bonnie W Strawser
(252) 473-1131  Visitor Services Manager, USFWS
Ms. Cindy Heffley
(252) 987-1118  Visitor Services Specialist, USFWS

Mission
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to preserve a national network of lands and waters for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife and plant resources of the United States for the benefit of present and future generations.

Cost of Programs/Admission
Admission free.

Features
Alligator River is a unique "pocosin" habitat with wild populations of black bear (easily observable) and red wolves, as well as alligators and red cockaded woodpeckers.

Accessibility
Creef Cut Wildlife Trail is a half-mile, universally-accessible trail that's ideal for school groups or families, as well as individuals. A kiosk at the trailhead and wayside panels along the trail provide information about the refuge; and the habitats, plant and wildlife that occur in the area. Also at the trailhead is a universally-accessible fishing platform. Sandy Ridge Wildlife Trail is also a fully handicapped accessible trail. It offers a 2,300-foot boardwalk and an overlook of Miltail Creek. The trails wanders through Atlantic white cedar stands, wood duck boxes, and prothonotary warbler nesting areas.

Additional
Please schedule group tours and programs at least two weeks in advance. Canoe tours (with a fee) are also available. With at least two weeks notice, accommodations can also be made for groups with hearing impaired individuals.

Eco Region(s)
Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain (Ecoregion 63)

Related Topics
  • Bus Parking
  • Canoeing or Kayaking
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Environmental Education Center
  • Environmental Education Organization
  • Fishing
  • Government
  • Hiking Trail
  • Multilingual
  • Permanent Education Staff
  • Restrooms
  • Volunteer Opportunities or Service Learning
Posted 9/13/2006 6:54 PM
Updated   1/14/2010


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