Boardwalks & Wooden Walkways on the Outer Banks

There’s more than one way to wander the Outer Banks.

Some paths slip beneath maritime-forest canopies. Others stretch over marshes, dunes, and sound waters. A few lead through waterfront villages with ice cream, shops, and lunch waiting just around the bend. Others lead somewhere pleasantly quiet, where the only item on the agenda is watching a heron glide by.

Across the Outer Banks, boardwalks and wooden walkways invite you to slow down, look around, and let the landscape set the pace. They’re made for morning walks, wildlife watching, family adventures, sunset strolls, and those wonderfully aimless wanderings that somehow become favorite vacation memories.

So bring your walking shoes, a little curiosity, and perhaps a snack for later. We’re heading from Duck to Hatteras.

Before You Go

Bring water, bug spray, sun protection, and binoculars — especially in warmer months, when the marshes are busy and the sun is feeling ambitious. Boardwalk conditions, hours, parking, restroom availability, and accessibility features can change with seasons, weather, construction, and special events. Check the linked location pages before you head out.

Wildlife is best enjoyed from a respectful distance. Please stay on designated paths and boardwalks to help protect dunes, marshes, nesting habitat, and the many small creatures who were here first.

Duck Soundside Boardwalk

Start on the soundside in Duck, where the town’s beloved boardwalk follows Currituck Sound for nearly a mile.

The Duck Soundside Boardwalk winds past local shops, restaurants, waterfront parks, and quiet places to sit beside the water. Begin with coffee, stop for lunch, browse a few boutiques, or linger until sunset, when the sound seems to collect every shade of gold, pink, and blue.

It’s the kind of boardwalk where you can have somewhere to go — or nowhere to be at all.

Best time to go: Early morning for a quieter stroll, or late afternoon through sunset for soundside views.

Plan your visit: Access the boardwalk through Duck Town Park and several points in the village. 

Good for: Waterfront views, sunsets, shopping, dining, leisurely strolls

Sandy Run Park Boardwalk

A little farther south in Kitty Hawk, the boardwalk at Sandy Run Park takes you somewhere quieter.

Wooden walkways curve through marshland around a peaceful pond, where turtles, birds, and other small marsh residents may be going about their very important business. Along the way, you’ll find benches and two gazebos for lingering, a nature observation tower, picnic tables, interpretive signs, and a fishing pier for catch-and-release casting. Canoe and kayak access adds another way to explore, while the relatively short loop makes this an easy — and delightfully unhurried — addition to a day of Outer Banks wandering.

Here, the scenery does most of the talking. You just have to listen.

Best time to go: Early morning for birding and cooler temperatures, or late afternoon when the light softens over the marsh.

Plan your visit: Conditions can be wetter and buggier after rain, so bug spray is a wise traveling companion.

Good for: Wildlife watching, nature walks, families, birding, peaceful pauses

Nags Head Woods

Image Credit: The Nature Conservancy at Nags Head Woods

For a completely different kind of boardwalk experience, head into the maritime forest at Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve.

The preserve’s accessible trail includes wooden boardwalk sections that carry visitors through wetlands and forest, offering a chance to experience one of the Outer Banks’ most treasured natural environments without traveling far from the beach.

Look closely. The quieter landscapes are often the busiest: birds in the branches, frogs in the wetlands, leaves rustling overhead, and all sorts of small wonders carrying on just out of sight.

Best time to go: Morning for birdsong and cooler conditions, or after a light rain when the forest feels especially lush.

Plan your visit: Check the Nags Head Woods trail page for the current trail map, parking, restrooms, trail distance, surface conditions, and accessible-route information. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring bug spray, and stay on marked trails to protect the preserve.

Good for: Nature, wildlife, birding, accessible walks, peaceful scenery

Jockey’s Ridge Boardwalk

At Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, a new 1,150 ft. wheelchair accessible boardwalk offers another way to experience the tallest active sand dune system on the East Coast. 

The elevated walkway helps more visitors reach the park’s shifting landscape without beginning their adventure in deep, loose sand. Along the way, gazebos, benches, and scenic stopping points invite you to take in the dunes, the sky, and the occasional kite dancing overhead. The boardwalk ends near the eastern terminus of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail - an especially fitting finish line for a path that stretches from the Great Smoky Mountains all the way to the Outer Banks.

And because this is the Outer Banks, the view may be different every time you visit. Wind rearranges the sand. Light redraws the dunes. The landscape is never quite finished.

Best time to go: Late afternoon and sunset, especially on breezy days when the sky is full of movement. Midday sand can be very hot in summer.

Plan your visit: Use the main park entrance for visitor information and parking, and check the Jockey’s Ridge State Park page for current hours. Park hours vary by season.

Good for: Dunes, accessible outdoor experiences, families, photography, sunset views

The Soundside Boardwalk & Gazebo

In Nags Head, a new way to experience the sound has arrived.

The Soundside Boardwalk & Gazebo at the Soundside Event Site stretches along Roanoke Sound, creating a public waterfront space for strolling, sitting, watching wildlife, and soaking in wide-open water views. The site includes boardwalks, a gazebo, pergola, docks, and plenty of places to stop and stay awhile.

An “Always Welcome” archway greets visitors at the entrance — a fitting nod to the Outer Banks tradition of making room for one more chair, one more story, and one more sunset watcher.

Come for an event. Come for the evening sky. Or come simply because the sound is there, and you have a few minutes to spare.

Best time to go: Golden hour through sunset, when the western sky has a proper chance to show off.

Plan your visit: The waterfront boardwalk is approximately a half-mile long and is designed as an accessible concrete-and-wood walkway. The site includes designated parking, and there are public restrooms at the nearby Harvey Public Sound Access.

Good for: Sound views, sunsets, waterfront walks, families, accessibility, photography, relaxing

Manteo Waterfront

On Roanoke Island, the waterfront boardwalk in downtown Manteo offers a different sort of stroll — part coastal-town wandering, part snack break waiting to happen.

Wooden walkways and waterfront paths put you near shops, restaurants, docks, and views across Shallowbag Bay. Continue toward Roanoke Island Festival Park for more opportunities to walk beside the water and explore the island’s maritime character.

It’s an excellent place to wander without a plan — and perhaps end up with an ice cream cone, a waterfront table, or both.

Best time to go: Honestly, any time of the day! 

Plan your visit: Leave a little extra time to explore — the boardwalk is only part of the adventure.

Good for: Waterfront views, shopping, dining, history, leisurely walks

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Just south of Nags Head, the boardwalk at Bodie Island Lighthouse crosses the surrounding marsh toward an area with big views of the lighthouse, wetlands, and open sky.

The walk is short, sweet, and a lovely reminder that on the Outer Banks, you don’t always have to go far to find something remarkable. Bring binoculars, watch for shorebirds and marsh birds, and let the breeze do its best work.

If the wind is cooperating, the marsh may convince you to slow down longer than planned.

Best time to go: Morning for softer light and birdwatching, or late afternoon for lighthouse photography.

Plan your visit: Parking is available near the trail start, and accessible restrooms, a drinking fountain, bottle-filling station, and bike rack are available at the beginning of the boardwalk. The National Park Service describes the site as wheelchair accessible; visit the Bodie Island Lighthouse page for current hours, lighthouse-climb information, and seasonal updates.

Good for: Wildlife watching, photography, lighthouse views, easy walks

Hatteras Landing Marina Boardwalk

At Hatteras Landing Marina, a waterfront boardwalk offers an easygoing way to stretch your legs and soak up the maritime scenery of Hatteras Village. Follow the walkway along the marina, where boats bob in their slips, the sound stretches toward the horizon and the salty breeze makes it tempting to linger a little longer.

It’s a simple stroll, but that’s part of the charm. Watch boats come and go, take in the views and see a little bit of the working waterfront that makes Hatteras Island special.

Best Time to Go: Early morning brings a front-row seat to the marina coming to life as boats head out on the water. For softer light and a more relaxed atmosphere, visit in the afternoon or around sunset when the sound takes on a warm glow. This is also when the boats return to the docks with their catch of the day!

Plan Your Visit: The Hatteras Landing Marina boardwalk is an easy addition to a day exploring Hatteras Village. Wear comfortable shoes and give yourself time to wander, watch the boats and enjoy the waterfront at your own pace.

Pair your stroll with a meal or another Hatteras Village adventure, and keep an eye on weather and marina conditions when planning your visit.

Good for: Waterfront views, boating, fishing, photography and sunsets

Find Your Favorite Walk

Whether you’re looking for a soundside boardwalk, an accessible route through the dunes, a quiet place for wildlife watching, or simply somewhere to stretch your legs during a road trip, there’s a wooden walkway waiting somewhere along the Outer Banks.

Take your time. Look around. Follow the breeze. And don’t be surprised if a short walk turns into an afternoon.

Explore More

• Parks & Natural Areas — Discover more places to experience the Outer Banks outdoors.

• Outer Banks Trails — Find walking, running, biking routes and more throughout the barrier islands.

• Accessible Outer Banks — Explore more places designed to help everyone enjoy the coast.

• Outer Banks Sunset Spots — Because some boardwalks become even better when the sun starts heading down.