We took the car ferry to Ocracoke Island for a day while visiting the Outer Banks in November. While there, this was one of the places we stopped. We did a short .8 mile trail here. Parking is kind of weird. There's no parking at the trail, but we parked at a nearby church that had parking for a donation. The trail starts out in a wooded area that's really pretty. Then the middle portion of the trail is along the beach. The beach portion was my favorite part because of all the jelly fish we saw right on the shore. I don't know what phenomenon was going on that they were all right on the shore or if it's normal, but it was really cool. I'd definitely add this to your list of stops on Ocracoke Island. read more

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Apparently this is Blackbeard's old stomping grounds. I'm kind of glad it hasn't been turned into some cheesy pirate-themed amusement park, but surprised that there really wasn't any information there on this. The paths lead through some diverse environments to a small inland-facing beach. People were using them for running, but you'll be done quickly if you do that. It's definitely a haven for mosquitos, and being on the inland side it isn't that windy. I saw signs indicating that the park is planning to expand with more trails. Given the amount of island that isn't easily accessible, this seems like a good decision to me. read more

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So let's skip right to the good part of why this place has any kind of name recognition and no it's not for highest in season mosquito to human ratio nor is it for the hermit crabs. We're talking Edward Teach aka Blackbeard. Mr. Teach in the early 1700's came to love this part of Ocracoke Island. He used the barrier island as a base from which he would raid the passing ships which were well stocked with supplies then escape capture by simply hiding on the backside of the island. Blackbeard came to like this area so much that he set up a seasonal hideout here known as Teach's Plantation where he and his crew could enjoy in some R&R in between gigs. Blackbeard most famously met his demise in the waters of Pamlico Sound right off the coast of Springer's Point in an area that is now known as Teach's Hole. Fast forwarding to the recent past. Springer's Point was now the site of the last large tract of land that could be potentially be developed on the island. The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust stepped in and purchased purchased 31 acres of the current Preserve in 2002 and the remaining 91 acres in 2006. Since that time the Land Trust has worked to complete maritime forest restoration work, construct Preserve amenities, hire a local Preserve Steward and to open the Preserve to the public which occurred in May of 2006. The Preserve is primarily a maritime forest which is something that becomes obvious as soon as you hit the trail. Lots of trees, shrubs, roots coming up from the ground and dense vegetation all around. The trail also has several wooden stands which have lids that flip up to reveal information about some of the plants and trees which grow at the Preserve. You also pass an old cistern, intricate wood carvings and even a small burial cemetery for local resident Sam Jones who is buried there along with his horse. www.findagrave.com/memorial/89487926/samuel-g-jones# Eventually the walk thru the forest leads to more of a marshland which finally opens up to a small beach with a beautiful view of the sound. Considering how cold and windy it was we didn't see any wildlife or any people for that matter. Nothing but the wind and the gentle sound of lapping water while watching a few boats in the distance. If you have ever been to Nags Head Woods up in KDH this place has a lot of similarities regarding the general look and feel of that place although noteworthy is that NHW is significantly larger than Springer's. If you want quiet and if you want something a little off the beaten path different than this should be a stop on your next trip to Ocracoke. If you go: While other reviews on both this site and on Trip Advisor reference things like tons of mosquitoes, possible snakes and a good amount of poison ivy we of course didn't see or experience any of that during this past Christmas week when to put it mildly, it was a bit cold out for any of the above. That's not to say those things wouldn't be in play in season because I'm sure at that time there is plenty of all three to go around. Know that you cannot park at this site. The Preserve entrance is located on Loop Road which is a narrow one way residential street that barely has enough room for a car to drive down with pedestrians walking along the side of the road let alone trying to park along the side of the road. www.google.com/maps/place/Springers+Point/@35.1060225,-75.9847235,212a,35y,258.03h,44.94t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89a5d8ac433c8eb3:0x8c03ca89af68b874!8m2!3d35.1040595!4d-75.9890655 We were told by the manager over at the NPS Visitor Center that in the off season you can either leave your car in the NPS lot and walk (it would be about a mile), ride your bike as there is a bike rack on site or you can park at the Ocracoke Assembly of God Church on Lighthouse Road (assuming services are not taking place of course). While I was skeptical of parking at the church, sure enough they have a sign there telling you that it's A-OK plus of course two lovely donation boxes for parking which I made sure to drop a few bucks in. The walk from the church to the Preserve entrance is about a fifth of a mile and maybe three minutes. read more

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Be sure to wear shoes you don't mind getting a little muddy. A pleasant little hike with a lovely view on a patch of beach at the end. Worth a morning's stroll. read more

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The only thing missing from this scenic & beautiful nature trail & beach is a portable bathroom. The nature preserve is open from sunrise to sunset and is only a few minutes to walk to the private beach. It is a great place to get away and read a book or to tune into your headphones and get a tan by the Pamlico Sound. There are park benches around to take in the view and the beach is pet-friendly. Just don't plan on more than an hour if you need to use the bathroom AND you have to walk or bike to get to the preserve itself. Take bug spray and be on the lookout for snakes & other wildlife...but there is a lot of history in these trees and the scenery is well worth the effort!!! read more

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Stumbled upon this preserve on my morning walk and it was a magnificent find. A hidden gem on Ocracoke, forsure. You begin walking through a wooded foot path with a multitude of benches to rest and informative signs about the nature around you. Once you make it through the beautiful, mosquito ridden path (bring bug spray) you find yourself in awe staring out at the Atlantic blue on their private beach area. There's less misquitos and a nice breeze when stepping out onto the sand. This beautiful natural preserve made it extremely easy for me to rate it 5 stars. read more

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This is the most beautiful and peaceful beach park I have ever set eyes on. There isn't any car parking here so you will have to come in on foot or via bicycle. There is bicycle parking at the entrance so, there is walking involved and you will need to have tennis shoes on. Also, do not forget the bug spray and I can't stress that enough. There is only one trail in and out so you will have to hike out on the same one. The beach is a sound front beach overlooking the Pamlico Sound and it is dog friendly. The hike is through marsh, forest and then it opens up to a desolate beach. This isn't the type of place you want to hike with coolers and chairs but, I saw plenty of people taking a dip to in the ocean. This is also the area that Blackbeard the pirate used to watch ships going by that he would then set sail to raid. This is also where he eluded capture and then was finally killed nearby at Teach's Hole and you can access that area from here. For the history buffs in the crowd it was named Teach's Hole after an alias that Blackbeard used. This is a nature preserve and since I have been here before I could see the efforts that have been done to preserve the shoreline. It's such a peaceful place and I am glad that now it is a protected space. All that good stuff being said this is a preserve that gets very little foot traffic so wildlife is abound on the trail. Here is where I get myself into the epic pickle of an adventure per usual. I am walking along admiring the peaceful nature and out of the corner of my eye I see something slither. I look left really quick and a huge (by my standards) snake wriggles across the trail in front of me and I take off running and screaming like a nut job bounding towards the beach. For all who know me in person this is quintessential Carmela fashion and truly a mishap that may only happen to me in the history of the planet so, don't let that story scare you off! Just be alert so you don't bust out onto the beach screaming like a nut and have everyone staring at you like you should be committed! Oh the adventures I find while being a solo explorer but, I digress! This is truly a gem of a place and if you want peace and quiet (sans the snakes) this is the place for you to check out! read more

Lovely little park and a short walk to fantastic beach on pamilco sound - chock full of hermit crabs and great for clamming- get a permit. Plenty of history here and this is teaches Hole where it is said Blackbeard the pirate was killed. Lots of signage for points of interest. Bring plenty of bug spray through for the path is is lovely but sometimes buggy. There is no parking nearby though. So walk or ride a bike in read more

Springer's Point Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Ocracoke, North Carolina

Lovely, secluded place. The entrance is along a residential street with no parking, so you either need to ride a bike or walk a ways to get there. Once inside the preserve, everything just gets wild on you. Ocracoke is pretty natural anyway, but this takes it to a whole new level. It's a fabulous place to lose yourself. It's timeless. read more

Beautiful, quiet, incredible live oaks! A must Ocracoke experience! You can access by kayak or walk in to experience this island must see!

I live here on Ocracoke and we all love it here and it is the local kids fav place to swim

A nice short walk through the woods to a quiet beach. Mosquitoes are waiting in the woods, but just walk fast and you won't get attacked severely. It is interesting to know Blackbeard hung out in the same woods hundreds of years ago. The best place to park is at the Ocracoke Assembly of God church a few blocks away. They invite folks to use their parking area for free, but have a donation box nearby. If you are visiting the Ocracoke lighthouse this place is just a few blocks away. read more