Nags Head Woods Preserve, a 1,400-acre maritime forest is a haven for nature lovers and local wildlife. You can take self-guided hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, limited to about five miles. Trails may be undertaken with appropriate gear and safety.

Nags Head Woods has a diversity of plant and animal life, quite uncommon for a barrier island. Tall oaks, hickories, and beech trees, hundreds of year's old rise up from the sandy soil. Strangely the forest canopy is typical of mountainous terrain.

More than 100 species of birds with over 50 bird species nesting here are to be found. 15 species of amphibians and 28 species of reptiles are documented. Freshwater ponds have 7 species of fish besides a great diversity of floating aquatic plant life that includes the rare water violet.

The Preserve also hosts rich Outer Banks cultural history of villages that were located here, showcasing artifacts indicating human habitation in the past.