The maritime forests of the Outer Banks are some of the most remarkable hidden gems of this sandbar by the sea. Down on Hatteras Island is Buxton Woods which is like no other maritime forest along the East Coast and is actually quite unique internationally.
Located in Buxton at the foot of the Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton Woods is a little over 1000 acres, although it abuts an area that the Dare County Water Department maintains for its wellheads. The protected area is well over 1000 acres and some of the trails do wander into the Water Department grounds.
What makes Buxton Woods so unique is it exists—thrives, really—at the confluence of the northern temperate and southern subtropical zones. Along a trail there may be a huge loblolly pine, and at the base of the tree there will often be a thriving and quite large saw palmetto tree.
This is as far north as the palmetto grows, and it is quite unique for a maritime forest.
But Buxton Woods is worth a visit of more than the trees. It is a birder’s paradise with songbirds blotting through the trees at all times of the year.
It needs to be said that getting to the trailheads is a bit confusing at times. The maps for the reserve are not very descriptive. Probably the easiest way to explore the reserve is either at the 3/4 mile loop trail at the off Lighthouse Road at the foot of the lighthouse or Old Doctors Road.
Old Doctors Road is a dirt road about a quarter mile south of Hatteras Island Secondary School on the left side of the road. Best bet is to park at the map kiosk just inside the reserve and walk along the road. The roads in Buxton Woods can be driven with a 4WD vehicle; it would be very chancy without 4WD.
The Old Doctors Road entrance leads back to some very densely wooded areas and is more indicative of what the reserve is really like. There are a couple of trails off the roads that wander through the reserve. They are surprisingly rugged, so expect to get a workout.
Take a camera and late spring through mid autumn, insect repellant is a necessity.
There are so many surprises everywhere on the Outer Banks. Come and explore this sandbar by the sea while staying in a Brindley Beach Vacations home.