Free things to do on the Outer Banks
Dunes, maritime forest, wildlife refuges and miles of beach — 12 free outings within an hour of Kitty Hawk.
The best free things to do near Kitty Hawk are the beach (free accesses along the Beach Road), Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve, Nags Head Woods Preserve and the Duck soundside boardwalk.
- History for free: Monument to a Century of Flight (Kitty Hawk)
- Wildlife: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Bike or walk: Paul Pruitt path in Kitty Hawk, Duck Trail along NC 12
Free outings, mapped
0.4 mi · 2 minKitty Hawk Bath House Beach Access
The town’s best-equipped public beach access, a short hop south on the Beach Road, with a bathhouse and a guarded stretch of sand in summer.
Good to know
Restrooms with showers and about 50 parking spaces (2 ADA). A lifeguard stand is here Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10am-6pm. Free parking fills early on summer weekends.
0.5 mi · 2 minKitty Hawk Public Beach Accesses (Lillian, Bleriot, Wilkins, Hawks, Luke, Byrd and others)
A string of free, town-maintained walkovers along the Beach Road, so guests can usually walk or make a short drive to the ocean.
Good to know
Parking: Lillian St 35 spaces (3 ADA), Bleriot St 26, Hawks St 11, Wilkins St 9. Seasonal port-a-johns at Bleriot and Luke; port-a-johns at Byrd St. Guarded stands at Byrd, Eckner, Bleriot and Lillian plus the Bath House (summer, 10am-6pm), with roving ATV guards.
1.5 mi · 5 minPaul Pruitt Multi-Use Path (The Woods Road)
A paved, car-free path of about 2 miles that runs through shady Kitty Hawk woods, with a 0.8-mile spur along Twiford Street through Kitty Hawk Village.
Good to know
Non-motorized use only. Pairs well with a stop at Sandy Run Park, which is along the same road. Paul Pruitt Park (5160 The Woods Rd) has a small playground.
Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve
A state-protected maritime forest of ridges, swales and marsh just west of the bypass, crossed by quiet hiking trails and a paddle route along High Bridge Creek.
Good to know
Free. Closed sunset to sunrise. Leashed pets only. Park in the residential right-of-way and respect neighbors. Kayakers launch from the Bob Perry Road public ramp.
Monument to a Century of Flight
A free outdoor sculpture of stainless-steel wings and granite panels that traces 100 years of aviation milestones after the Wright brothers.
Good to know
Free and easy to combine with a stop at the welcome center for maps and brochures. Takes about 20 minutes.
Sandy Run Park
A free town park where a wide, accessible boardwalk loops about half a mile through maritime forest and ponds, with picnic gazebos, a playground and fitness stations.
Good to know
Open daily 7am-8pm. Catch-and-release pond fishing needs an NC fishing license. There is a kayak launch. Good for strollers and wheelchairs.
7 mi · 15 minNags Head Woods Preserve
One of the East Coast’s largest remaining maritime forests, protected by The Nature Conservancy, with shady trails that wind past freshwater ponds, tall dunes and soundside marsh.
Good to know
Free. Trails open dawn to dusk. Register at the outdoor kiosk. Trails are foot traffic only, and there is a 0.5-mile ADA boardwalk loop. Bring bug spray in summer.
Duck Town Park & Soundside Boardwalk
An 11-acre wooded park and town green connected to a boardwalk of nearly a mile along Currituck Sound that links Duck’s shops and restaurants, with famous sunsets.
Good to know
Free. Playground, kayak/canoe launch, crabbing area and amphitheater with free summer events. Dog-friendly. Duck Jazz Festival is in October. Parking at the park; NC 12 through Duck is slow on summer afternoons.
10 mi · 20 minDuck Trail (NC 12 multi-use path)
A paved path of about 6 miles that runs the length of Duck beside NC 12, ideal for biking between village shops, cafes and the boardwalk.
Good to know
Shared with pedestrians, and busy at midday in summer. Bike rentals are available in Duck and Kitty Hawk.
10.5 mi · 18 minJockey’s Ridge State Park
The tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast, a free state park where you can climb the dunes for sunset, fly kites, or wade on the shallow soundside beach.
Good to know
Free. Main access opens 8am and closes 6-9pm depending on month (9pm May-Sept). Visitor center 9am-4pm. Sand is very hot by midday in summer, so bring shoes and water. Navigate to the street address — map apps can mis-route.
19 mi · 30 minCape Hatteras National Seashore (Coquina Beach & Whalebone area)
The start of more than 70 miles of undeveloped, federally protected beach, where Coquina Beach and the Bodie Island marshes give guests a wilder, uncrowded shoreline.
Good to know
Free beach access. Off-road vehicle routes need an NPS ORV permit. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is closed for climbing in 2026 for restoration, though its grounds stay open.
30 mi · 45 minPea Island National Wildlife Refuge
A barrier-island wildlife refuge famous for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, with a half-mile trail to an observation tower over North Pond.
Good to know
Visitor center open daily 9am-4pm. Trails open year-round in daylight. NC 12 across Pea Island flooded in a late-September 2026 nor’easter, so check DriveNC.gov before going.
Frequently asked questions
Is the beach free on the Outer Banks?
Yes. There is no fee to use Outer Banks beaches, and Kitty Hawk’s public beach accesses and lots are free.
Is Jockey’s Ridge State Park free?
Yes, entry to Jockey’s Ridge State Park is free. Paid activities such as hang gliding lessons are run by outside companies.
Is the Wright Brothers Memorial free?
Not for adults — entry is $10 per person age 16 and up, and free for 15 and under. It is free for everyone on August 19 and December 17.
Our oceanfront homes in Kitty Hawk
Three dog-friendly oceanfront homes side by side at Milepost 3¾ — book one, or all three for up to 29 guests.
Crab House
Single-level living, an extra-large oceanfront deck and a gated yard for your dog — steps from the sand.
Mermaid
A 500 sq ft oceanfront deck, gourmet three-oven kitchen, wet bar and a king suite with a jetted tub.
A Carolina Conch
Classic two-story Outer Banks cottage with wraparound ocean views, carport parking and baby gear on hand.