Currituck Banks Reserve

Currituck Banks Reserve sits at the far north end of Corolla, right around where the paved road gives out and the village's shops and cottages fall away behind you. It's one of four sites making up the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve, protecting a stretch of maritime forest, salt marsh, and shoreline along Currituck Sound rather than the ocean side of the island.

What to expect

• A boardwalk and trail winding through maritime forest and marsh out to the sound
• Genuinely good birdwatching, especially during spring and fall migration
• A quieter, wilder feel than the shops and lighthouse a few miles south in Corolla's historic district

This is protected land, not a park built for amenities — come for the walk and the scenery rather than concessions or restrooms. It sits close to where Corolla's paved road ends and the 4x4-only beach access to Carova and the northern communities begins, so factor that in if you're continuing north afterward. Because it's a working research reserve, access and conditions can shift, so it's worth a quick check with the NC Coastal Reserve program before you go.