City: Buxton, NC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Address: Cape Point

Description: Leading from the Cape Point Campground road about 0.75 mile through the woods, the Buxton nature trail takes walkers through thick vine jungles, across tall sand dunes, and into freshwater marshes. Small plaques along the fairly level walkway describe the area’s fragile ecosystems. People who hike this trail learn about the Outer Banks’ water table, the role of beach grass and sea oats in stabilizing sand dunes, and the effects salt, storms, and visitors have on the ever-changing environment. Cottonmouths seem to like this trail, too, so beware of these unmistakable snakes. They are fat, rough scaled, and stubby looking in brown, yellow, gray, or almost black. If you see a cottonmouth, let it get away—don’t chase it. If it stands its ground, retreat. This hike is not recommended for all, but picnic tables and charcoal grills just south of the nature trail provide a welcome respite for everyone. The walk is fine for hardy nature lovers who don’t mind mingling with the outdoor elements.