Yours to enjoy...

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a

broad expanse (152,000 acres) of mysterious wildlands and

waters. Visitors are welcome to explore this unique upland

swamp refuge. The designated wildlife drive and trails

offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities. Black bear,

deer, river otters, and red wolves, along with a variety of

birds, reptiles, and amphibians may be seen. During the

winter months, large numbers of waterfowl and other

migratory birds are present. Wildlife viewing is best from

a safe distance. If you plan to venture into areas not

designated as roads or trails on this map, please inform a

responsible person of your plans. Be aware that poison ivy,

ticks, insect pests, poisonous snakes (cotton-mouths,

copperheads, and timber rattlers), and other natural

nuisances and hazards may be encountered. This is your

National Wildlife Refuge. Please enjoy your refuge

experience, but handle with care.

Tips for Wildlife Viewing

■ Wildlife are usually most active at dawn and dusk.

■ Walk or drive slowly and quietly; stop frequently to

watch and listen.

■ Be friendly to other visitors; often they will share

information!

■ Bring binoculars or spotting scopes and field guides.

■ Bring insect repellent and a non-alcoholic drink.

You Can Help

■ by obeying regulations.

■ by respecting the refuge, wildlife, and other visitors.

■ by volunteering your time. Contact the Volunteer

Coordinator at 252/473 1131 ext. 230.

■ by joining the

Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society

P. O. Box 1808

Manteo, NC 27954

100% of your membership fees and donations support

refuge programs.

For More Information

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

P. O. Box 1969

Manteo, NC 27954

phone: 252/473 1131

email: alligatorriver@fws.gov

http://www.fws.gov/alligatorriver

Audio tour tape or CD available for purchase.

In addition to these provisions, all State laws, County

codes, and Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations

apply on the Refuge. If you have any questions about the

legality of any activity, please contact the Refuge

Manager.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Alligator River

National Wildlife Refuge

Regulations

General

■ The Refuge is open

during daylight hours

only (1/2-hour before

sunrise to /2-hour

after sunset).

■ Camping, open fires,

feeding or baiting of

wildlife, swimming in

Refuge canals, or

entering any area

posted with “Area

Closed” signs is

prohibited.

■ All domestic pets

(dogs, cats, horses,

etc.) must be properly

confined, leashed (10-

foot maximum), or

haltered and under

owner control at all

times.

■ Littering or dumping

of garbage, refuse,

sewage, debris, or

other wastes or

poisons is prohibited.

■ The use of a spotlight,

automotive headlight,

or other artificial light

to spot, observe,

locate, or take any

animal is prohibited.

■ Taking, possessing,

injuring, disturbing,

damaging,

destroying, or

collecting any plant

or animal (or

attempting these

actions) is prohibited.

■ Destroying, defacing,

damaging, disturbing, or removing any private or public

property, including any natural object or artifact, is

prohibited. The use or possession of metal detectors or

similar devices is prohibited.

■ Disturbing, molesting, or interfering with any person

engaged in an authorized activity is prohibited. Engaging

in any act of indecency or disorderly conduct (as defined

by State or local laws) is prohibited.

■ Entering or remaining on the Refuge when under the

influence of alcohol or a controlled substance is prohibited.

■ Begging or soliciting in any form or conducting a

commercial enterprise on the Refuge is prohibited.

Hunting/Trapping/Fishing/Weapons

■ Taking or possessing of bear, turkey, bobcat, any

furbearer, or any part thereof, is prohibited, except when

transporting same along an NC State road or U.S.

highway.

■ Carrying, possessing, or discharging firearms, fireworks,

or explosives is prohibited. Firearms may be possessed,

used, or transported only by persons engaged in public

hunting or by persons carrying unloaded firearms that are

either dismantled or cased.

■ Carrying, using, or possessing cross bows, bows and

arrows, air guns, spears, gigs, or other weapons is

prohibited. Some of these weapons may be legal to use for

hunting or fishing (see current Refuge hunting permit and

State regulations).

■ Hunting and fishing are subject to State and local

regulations, seasons, and bag limits. A Refuge permit is

required for hunting.

Grouse Rd.

Milltail Rd.

Creef Rd.

Peterson Rd.

Sprigtail Rd.

Creef Cut Rd.

Bobcat Rd.

Link Rd.

Cub Rd.

Blueberry Rd .

Long Cu rve Rd.

Koehring Rd.

Bay Rd.

Cypress Rd.

Bear Rd.

Borrow Pit Rd.

SR 1102

Pump Rd.

Beaver Rd.

River Rd.

Hickory Rd.

Deep Bay Rd.

Osprey Rd .

Wynne Rd.

Butler Rd .

Grassy Patch Rd.

Poplar Rid ge Rd.

Reuben R d.

Dry Ridge No rth Rd.

Laurel Bay

 Lake 

Manns

Harbor

South

Lake

Spencer's

Creek

Sawyer

 Lake

Milltail R d.

Cedar Rd .

64

264

Gadwall

Rd.

64

Milltail Creek Paddle Trails

1.5 miles (loop)

5.5 miles (one way)

2.0 miles (one way)

4.0 miles (one way)

Parking

Paddling Trail Marker

Color coded markers

show where trails change

directions and/or int ersect

other trails

To Manteo

To Manteo

Wildlife Trails (foot traffic only - disabled accessible )

Wildlife Drive

Refuge Operations Facility

Disabled Priority Fishing Pier located at Creef Cut Tr ailhead

(Lake Neighbo rhood Rd.)

NATIONAL

WILDLIFE

REFUGE

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY

PROHIBITED

U. S. DEPARTME NT OF THE INT ERIOR

FISH AND WILD LIFE SERVICE

SCALE 0 5 MILES

Refuge

Boundary

Sign

264

N

Brier

Hall 

Road

Laurel Bay

Road

Wood

Duck Road

Milltail Creek

Milltail Creek

N. Perimeter Rd.

Buffalo

City Rd.

Sawyer Lake Rd.

Sandy

Ridge Rd.

Possum Rd.

Twiford Rd.

Sandy Ridge

Wildlife Trail

Creef Cut

Wildlife Trail

State roads or U.S. Highways

Mashoes 

Rd.

64

264

BUSINESS

Vehicles/Roads/Trails

■ The speed limit on all Refuge roads, unless otherwise

posted, is 35 miles per hour. State traffic laws that govern

the use and operation of vehicles apply on the Refuge.

■ Traveling outside of designated routes of travel is

prohibited. Designated routes of travel are shown on the

Refuge maps or as posted with “road closed,” “no

vehicle,” or “foot traffic only” signs.

■ Operating any vehicle or boat that does not bear valid

license plates or identification numbers and that is not

properly lighted, certified, registered, or inspected

according to State laws is prohibited. ATV’s (3-wheelers,

4-wheelers, dirt bikes, etc.) are prohibited.

■ Stopping or parking a vehicle (either attended or

unattended) on a road, trail, or firelane such that it blocks

the free movement of other vehicles is prohibited.
Refuge property

Refuge property

(closed to all entry, except from September 1 through October 31)

Refuge property

(Public access is by water only, roads leading to this section are private and closed to the public)

Private property

Wildlife trails

Wildlife Drive (auto tour route)

Refuge roads (open to the public and motorized vehicles)

Refuge roads (closed to all motorized vehicles)

Refuge roads (seasonally open to the public)

Public or private roads (open to the public as indicated by signs)

State roads or U.S. Highways

Grouse Rd.

Mashoes Rd.

Point Pet er Rd.

Lake

Worth Rd. 

Stumpy Point Rd. 

Pamlico Rd.

Stomper Rd.

Perimeter Rd .

Whipping Creek Rd.

Smith Rd.

Nichols Rd.

Gator 4

Hooper Rd.

Sycamore

Rd.

Rd.

Dry Ridge S. R d.

Wolf Gibbs Rd.

 Rd.

Holly Rd.

Pine Rd.

Deer Rd.

Murry

Rd.

Gum Rd.

Beechland Rd. Waterfield Rd.

Ash Rd.

Faircloth Rd.

Bluewing Rd.

Jackson Rd.

Jackson Rd.

Perimeter Rd.

Jumper Rd.

Pollock Rd.

Little Field Rd.

Navy Shell Rd.

Storm Rd.

Eagle Rd.

Milltail Rd.

Creef Rd.

Peterson Rd.

Sprigtail Rd.

Creef Cut Rd.

Gadwall Rd.

Gadwall Rd.

Bobcat Rd. Link Rd.

Cub Rd. Long Curve Rd.

Blueberry Rd.

Koehring Rd.

Cypress

Rd.

Bear Rd.

Borrow Pit 

Rd.

Brier Hall Rd.

Wood Duck Rd . SR 11 02

Pump Rd.

Beaver Rd.

River Rd.

Hickory Rd.

Deep Bay Rd.

Wynne Rd.

Osprey Rd.

Grassy Patch Rd . Dry Ridge

Alligator Rd.

H&B

Alligator Roa d Panther Rd. Poplar 

Rd.

John Earle

Rd.

Rebel Rd.

Taylor Rd.

Spring Rd.

Magnolia Rd.

Richmond R d.

Navy 

Lead Rd . Otter Rd.

 Diamond 

 Rd.

Cane Rd. 

Ralph Rd.

3500

Foot Rd.

Center Rd.

Navy Rd.

Navy Shell Rd.

Center

Rd. 

Waters 

Rd.

Strafe 

Rd.

 Air Force

Shell Rd. 

 Air Force

Lead Rd. 

Ringneck Rd. 

Maple Rd.

Mason

Perimeter Rd.

Chip Rd.

Swan Lake Rd.

4th Avenue East

First Str eet

3th Avenue East

2nd Avenue East

5th Avenue East

6th Avenue East

Milltail Rd.

Milltail Rd.

H&B Road

Dare County

Bombing Ra

nge

(roads may be te

mporarily closed because of military

aircraft use of 

the range)

N.C. Gamelan

ds

For informatio

n on access, 

hunting, 

or other use

s, contact t

he NC Wild

life 

Resources Co

mmission at 

919/733 7291

Sandy Ridge

Wildlife Trail

Poplar Ridge Rd.

Reuben Rd.

North Rd.

West

Widgeon 

 Rd.

Widgeon Rd.

Detailed Map of

Walking, Driving,

and Paddling Trails

on Back

Long Curve Rd. Long Curve Rd.

Warning!

Refuge roads, including the Wildlife Drive, are unpaved. 

Road surface conditions may vary greatly due to weather conditions.

Roads may become impassable at certain times,

even for 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Please use good judgement and caution when driving 

on any refuge road.

Refuge is open only during daylight hours.

Cedar Rd.

Bay Rd.

Sassafras Rd.

Bluebill Rd.

Creef Cut

Wildlife Trail

64

264

BUSINESS

264

264

N

0 Miles 2

0 Kilo 2

East Lake

Manns

Harbor

Croatan

Sound

Stumpy

Point

Bay

Spencer's

Creek

South

Lake

Laurel Bay

 Lake

Milltail

Creek 

Whipping

Creek Lake Worth

Long

Shoal

River

The Frying Pan

Intracoastal

Waterway

Alligator

River

Whipping

 Creek

 Lake

Lost 

Lake

Swan

Creek

Lake

Swan

 Creek

Haulover

Point

Roanoke

Island

Durant

Island

To Engelhard

To Columbia

Gum Neck

Landing

Grapevine

Landing

Tyrrell

County

Dare

County

Dare County

Hyde County

Proposed Visitor 

Center Site

Laurel Bay

Road

N. Perimeter Rd.

Sawyer Lake Rd.

Buffalo

City Rd. Butler Rd.

Koehring

Rd.

East 

Target Rd.

West

Target Rd.

Navy

Rd. N

Twiford Rd.

Sandy

Ridge Rd.

Possum

Rd.

Willow Rd.

64

264

64

64

Lake Neighborhood Rd.