I knew there were bears on the coast but I honestly never expected to encounter one! Bears + Beach just isn't something you expect. So yes, visit this wonderful area of beauty and nature but do so when you can drive home before sunset and drive carefully and slowly. We went the speed limit and had SO many people pass us on the two lane road.
I've included a photo of a beautiful old shack that we saw when we stopped (during the day) to help a turtle safely cross the road.
It is also home to quite a few alligators, but I have only seen one. Alligator River is definitely worth the visit. It is free and there are not any employees/rangers on site to give you any information, but there are maps available near the entrance. How many bears you see definitely depends on the time of year you visit and the time of day. If you go in the middle of the day, chances are you won’t see much of anything, but if you go during the summer, right as its starting to get dark you will be amazed by how many you see. It’s unbelievable! This is a place you definitely have to see, you will not be disappointed!
I cannot believe that I have been visiting the Outer Banks for so many years and had no idea that this place existed! It is truly magical. This Refuge is home to the highest concentration of black bears on the east coast and it is only about a 20 drive from Nags Head.
Such a beautiful area, stunning! However please be very cautious driving through here at night. It's PITCH BLACK. We came upon a motorist that had hit a black bear, and we didn't see the bear in the road until we had also ran over it as well. A 400-500 pound black bear! It was really scary. We ended up giving the guys who hit it a ride back into Manteo because their truck was so badly damaged and they had no cell phone service out there and it was dark and scary! We also passed what we think was a red wolf on the side of the road. My family had been going to the NC mountains for 10+ years and every time I hope to see a black bear. It's so unfortunate that I finally did, but in the worst way. :( No one was hurt thankfully (except the poor bear).
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a US Park based in Manns Harbor, North Carolina. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located at Manns Harbor, NC 27953, USA.
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