North Carolina's Outer Banks Hide A Secret Nature Preserve With Pristine Beaches, Dunes, And Wild Horses

North Carolina's Outer Banks are known for epic road trip adventures touching on iconic nature destinations that were once relatively unspoiled. The construction of North Carolina Highway 12 attracted mass tourism to the area, and with a new spotlight on this natural oasis came new issues in the preservation of its wildlife. Today, the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge aims to protect the Outer Banks' precious flora and fauna, including its herd of wild horses. 

In the decade following the paving of the NC12, dozens of horses were killed or injured by car traffic, an important factor that helped lead to the creation of the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. The horses inhabiting Corolla were moved north, where they could remain relatively undisturbed by vehicles. Visitors today agree to follow strict conservation rules, including not feeding the horses or approaching them closer than 50 feet.

Whether you want to go off-grid and immerse yourself in the peaceful wilderness of the OBX or explore a pristine area with unique wildlife sightings, the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Away from the noise and threats of road traffic, you will find nesting birds, wildlife, and undisturbed natural areas where you can enjoy the serene surroundings of the marshland. If traveling from the mainland, you'll follow the iconic NC12 to reach the refuge. Chesapeake, Virginia, is just two hours by car, while Raleigh, one of the closest large cities in North Carolina, is about a four-hour drive. If you want to break your travel into manageable chunks, stop 20 miles away in Southern Shores to enjoy its winding canals and golden sunsets..

Covering a total surface of over 4,500 acres, there's something for every type of adventurer in the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. To enter the refuge, drive on NC12 until you reach the Corolla terminus. From here, you'll need a 4WD vehicle, the only vehicle allowed, as there are no paved roads and the terrain is rough and sandy. Parking on the beach past this point requires permits in the summer months. Because parking spots are limited before the sand roads begin, it's best to arrive with a 4WD vehicle with pressurized tires for sand driving.

The Currituck National Wildlife Refuge is divided into six designated areas. The first will be about a quarter mile north of where the sand roads begin. Here, you can keep driving or explore on foot. Having a vehicle with 4WD is essential if you're planning to visit the wild horses further north in Swan Beach or Carova Beach.

If you want to escape the humidity and mosquitoes, the best season to visit ranges from late fall to early spring, when temperatures are milder. Bear in mind that you won't be allowed to camp anywhere in the reserve or on Corolla beaches. Make sure to book your accommodation in advance, either in the town of Corolla or in the nearby city of Duck, known for its charming village shops, boardwalk, and award-winning beaches.

A trip to this untouched stretch of the Outer Banks wouldn't be complete without meeting the Corolla wild horses. These gorgeous mustangs are descendants of Spanish horses that colonists brought to the States as early as the 1500s. Not only are they beautiful creatures who typically travel in harems, they are also quite rare, as it's estimated there are only 100 individuals left in the Corolla herd. The best way to see these majestic creatures is by exploring with an off-road vehicle directly on the beach. These horses roam free year-round, and their protection is overseen by the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

If you don't want to DIY the adventure, you can also hop on a guided tour. These local experts are adept at finding the herds and can share best practices on how to safely approach them. Bear in mind, it's forbidden to get closer than 50 feet or disturb the horses in any way, including feeding or touching them. Operators like Wild Horse Adventure Tours and Corolla Wild Horse Tours lead 2-hour Jeep tours of the dunes in Corolla and on Carova Beach, where they roam free, swim in the sea, and graze on wild grasses year-round.

The Currituck National Wildlife Refuge doesn't have any paved trails, and while there are a couple of service roads, the most common way to explore is on foot. Pack thick socks, bug spray, and trekking shoes to make the most of the enchanting dunes and beaches in the wildlife refuge comfortably. Here, you can immerse yourself in the rich wetlands typical of North Carolina, as well as admire the brackish marshes, sandy dunes, and shady swampland where tiny critters, like amphibians, waders, and reptiles, hide.