Sandy Run Park was such a delightful surprise during our Outer Banks trip. It’s a small park tucked away on The Woods Road in Kitty Hawk, but it packs in so much natural beauty. The half-mile boardwalk loop winds through the marsh and wetlands, and the turtles are the real stars — we spotted so many of them gliding through the water right beneath the walkway, which my little one absolutely loved. It’s flat, shaded, and stroller-friendly, making it perfect for families. There are also gazebos, picnic spots, and helpful signs along the trail that explain the local plants and wildlife. A peaceful, free little gem that’s well worth a stop. Highly recommend, especially if you’re traveling with kids who love turtles!
Saw many turtles, some crabs, and some jumping fish in the water. It was very hot out so didn’t get to see as many turtles as we would have liked. There are about 8 parking spaces and a port-a-potty at the address. Fun little hidden gem in OBX!
We kayaked in the marsh around the corner, but didn't see much wildlife. Our guide suggested we check out this park. We were amazed at all of the turtles we saw! My children counted over 70! We also saw a blue heron and tons of fish! The boardwalk was a very easy walk and a great length for children. There was also a tiny playground and a place to picnic.
The wooden walkways meander through the park. Flowing over the ponds and the salt marshes. There are kayak launches in 3 places along the paths. Plus places to stop and fish, including a dedicated fishing pier area. Covered gazebos along the walkways are nice for stopping to gaze at the wildlife. Lots of 🐢 🐢. A nice place to view the beauty of nature in a coastal estuary setting.
We truly enjoyed our walk at Sandy Run Park. It is a well maintained trail with beautiful scenery surrounding you. There was a nice breeze the day we went, but I imagine in july and August, it gets right hot. There were many seating and picnic areas on the water along the trail. We saw many native species and hundreds of 🐢 turtles, including a few very large snapping turtles. Highly recommend for a nature walk alone or with family!
