08/28/2026
One of our favorite places to drive through and see wildlife on the way to OBX!
The Alligator River Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina is one of the last places in the world to see endangered red wolves roaming wild and free! Just inland from the Outer Banks, this huge refuge protects about 152,000 acres across the Albemarle Peninsula, with swamp forests, marshes, wetlands, open waterways and rare pocosin habitat. It was established in 1984 to protect these unusual peat-based wetlands and the wildlife that depends on them. Red wolf recovery here began in 1987, when wolves were released into the refuge, and the first wild-born litter arrived the following year. You may also spot black bears, white-tailed deer, bobcats, river otters, alligators, turtles, owls, bald eagles, waterfowl and other birds. You can explore on foot, drive the refuge’s wildlife roads, or paddle more than 15 miles of color-marked canoe and kayak trails. The Murphy Peterson Wildlife Drive is especially popular for bear watching, while guided programs include open-air tram tours. The refuge is open year-round during daylight hours, and wildlife is usually most active in the morning and evening. For photographers and nature lovers, it is an incredible place to spend a few quiet hours exploring North Carolina’s wild side.
