Explore NC

Outdoor Gear for Families

As a father of four, husband, and outdoor recreation professional, there is nothing more fulfilling and rewarding for me than sharing my love for the outdoors with my family. Being able to experience nature together and spend time together outside as a family is one of our favorite things to do together. Whether it’s hiking the trails at our local park, riding bikes on our local greenway, or spending a day at the beach, time outside together unites us as a family. As the REI slogan goes, “A life outdoors is a life well lived.”

A life outdoors is a life well lived.
-REI slogan

Having the right outdoor gear is important for enjoying your time together outside. Just like you need the right tool for the job in work, you need the right equipment for outdoor activities with young children. The following are our favorite pieces of equipment that we have used with all four of our children to enjoy our time together outside.

1. Backpack Child Carrier

Source: https://www.rei.com/product/810852/deuter-kid-comfort-ii-child-carrier

The first piece of outdoor gear we bought as young parents ten years ago was a backpack child carrier. We went with the Deuter Kid Comfort II. It has provided a decade of hiking adventures with all four of our children. We’ve hiked hundreds of miles at local parks and state parks in both Northeast Ohio (before relocating here) and across North Carolina. I began a tradition with our two oldest children by participating in the Metroparks Serving Summit County (Akron, OH area)’s Fall Hiking Spree, earning a hiking staff and hiking medallions for all three of us. Since relocating to North Carolina, we began a new tradition of adding hiking medallions from our state parks to our hiking staffs after our hikes. Hiking has been an awesome way to experience the outdoors together as a family. Quick tip: start with shorter hikes and gradually build up to longer hikes. Don’t get to the halfway point when your kid starts fussing or you’re in for a long second half of your hike!

2. Bike Trailer

Source: https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/813727/avenir-sport-dual-bike-trailer-with-stroller-kit

A close second piece of outdoor equipment that has served our family well has been our bike trailer for rides on our local greenways and at the beach on vacation. We’ve ridden thousands of miles with all four of our children over the past decade. We went with an Avenir Sport Dual Bike Trailer with Stroller Kit. This is two pieces of equipment in one! First, it’s a dual bike trailer for 1 or 2 kids. Second, it’s a jogging stroller with detachable front wheel and handlebar. This piece of equipment has provided bike rides and runs for our family. Quick tip: for efficient packing while traveling, stow your bike helmets, pump, and other equipment in the bike trailer to take up less room in your vehicle.

3. Day Cooler

Source: https://www.rei.com/product/123344/yeti-hopper-flip-18-soft-cooler?color=NAVY

A third critical piece of equipment for all of our day trips to our local parks for hikes and picnic lunches, trips to festivals and NC Zoo, and long days on the beach is a day cooler. There are many coolers on the market, with RTIC and YETI being two of the top brands. We’ve used both the RTIC Soft Pack 30 and YETI Hopper Flip 18 and both have been great. It just depends on what you want to spend on a cooler. Quick tip: be sure to clean your cooler after each use and lubricate the zipper, especially after days on the beach. The sand can really take a toll on the zipper on a cooler!

4. Pop Up Tent

Source: https://www.ezup.com/vistatm.html

A fourth piece of equipment that has been extremely useful for our family, especially on our beach vacations, is a pop up tent. This provides a “home base” and plenty of shade during our 6-8 hour days on the beach during vacation. We went with a 10’x10′ E-Z Up Vista. We are on our second one now, since we typically visit the beach about 3-5 times in a season. It is easy to set up, durable, and provides lots of shade when our children need a break from the sun. Quick tip: be sure to rinse the tent down with a hose after you get back from the beach to prevent corrosion on the metal frame.

Conclusion

Spending time outside together on the weekends and on vacation is a great way to bond as a family. Having the right equipment can make it that much more enjoyable! These pieces of outdoor equipment have allowed us to make many memories with our family in the outdoors through the years. If there is a favorite piece of outdoor equipment you enjoy with your family, please share in the comments below.

National Backyard Campout

Trail Life USA’s National Backyard Campout

Over 5,000 Families Across America Created Memories in Their Backyards

On Friday, April 17, 2020 my three oldest children and I participated in Trail Life USA’s National Backyard Campout, a national event that encouraged families across America to camp out in their own backyards or living rooms and create memories together. Here in Clayton, North Carolina, the overnight low temperature was 60 degrees with no rain, at least overnight. Although there was a burn advisory until 8:00pm, we were still able to have a campfire, roast marshmallows, and make s’mores later in the night. We had planned to roast hot dogs on the campfire, but we ended up just grilling them outside on our propane grill for dinner as part of our camping experience.

This was our 3-year old daughter’s first time camping overnight in a tent and she had a blast! When we woke up on Saturday morning, she told me “I had very fun camping, Dad!” This is what it was all about for me, creating fun memories with our children, especially during these difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My first camping trip was at the age of 3 also, so being able to pay that forward to our 3-year old daughter was so fulfilling and rewarding for me as a father, camp and outdoor professional.

For families new to camping, this is a great way to get started: camping in a tent in your own backyard. For us it was really “Glamping”, with our new 3-room Ozark Trail tent from Walmart.com and our inflatable air mattresses. Although my wife and our 1-year old son did not camp out with us, we are hoping to get out camping to a local state park in the Raleigh area as a family within the next year. This is the next best step for our growing family as our children get acclimated to camping. There are several state parks in the Raleigh area with camping, including Falls Lake and Jordan Lake State Parks. We hope that camping will be permitted again the summer or fall once restrictions are lifted from COVID-19.

As a father of four who grew up camping as a child, I would encourage other families to consider camping as a great option for exploring North Carolina. Happy Camping! 🙂

COVID-19: Outdoor Impacts

Source: https://www.nrpa.org/about-national-recreation-and-park-association/press-room/NRPA-statement-on-using-parks-and-open-space-while-maintaining-social-distancing/

There is no doubt these are uncertain and unprecedented times. From the NCAA spring seasons and professional sports leagues being cancelled to schools being suspended to Stay at Home executive orders being issued, life as we once knew it has come to an end, at least temporarily. Abrupt changes came literally overnight, forcing us to learn a new way of doing things and a new normal.

However, there has been some positive that has come out of this COVID-19 situation. One is the environmental impacts it has made across the state, nation, and globally. A recent article in the Washington Post states that air quality in the U.S. is improving due to coronavirus lockdown. Major cities like Los Angeles have seen reduced air pollution with less vehicles on the road.

Another positive: more people are getting outside, so much so that North Carolina closed 25 state parks to promote social distancing. There had been so many people visiting North Carolina’s state parks during this time and with the beautiful spring weather that the decision was made to close many of the most popular state parks, including Pilot Mountain State Park and Raven Rock State Park, two posts previously featured in this blog.

The good news is that more people are getting outside, after being cooped up day after day. My hope is that more people and new audiences are seeing the benefits of getting outside to their local parks and trails, while practicing proper social distancing. Under Governor Cooper’s Stay at Home executive order, people are still allowed to enjoy trails and greenways as long as they practice social distancing.

My family and I got out for a family bike ride to our local Sam’s Branch Greenway on Good Friday, part of the Clayton River Walk along the Neuse River, one of our local greenways through our Town of Clayton, NC Parks & Recreation’s greenways and trails. There were many families and people out riding, running, and walking the greenway, some wearing protective face masks as recently recommended by the CDC.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) provided the following statement regarding the use of local parks and trails:

“In places where there are no restrictions on the use of local parks, trails and open spaces, we encourage all users to follow these recommendations:

Refrain from using parks or trails if they are exhibiting symptoms.
Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and during use of parks or trails.
Prepare for limited access to public restrooms or water fountains.
While on trails, warn other users of their presence and as they pass, and step aside to let others pass.
Follow CDC guidance on the recommended size of social gatherings including outdoor picnicking, pick-up sports and other group hangouts, and maintain proper physical distance at all times.
Observe CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of 6 feet from other individuals at all times. If this is not possible, users should find an alternate location or depart that space.
Consult their local and state ordinances and guidelines for the most up to date recommendations on park and trail use.”

NC State University’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) recently released an article about the health benefits of getting outside and the renewed interest in the outdoors for many people.

One final positive out of this situation is the shift towards innovative virtual programming through the use of technology. From online classes to virtual programs, parks and recreation departments and other organizations are replacing traditional face-to-face programs with virtual programs during this time of social distancing. A great example and opportunity is Trail Life USA’s National Backyard Campout scheduled for Friday, April 17 where they are encouraging all families across America to join the event and create memories with their families in their own backyard.

In an unfortunate time when there has been so much negative, these are just a few examples of the positive environmental impacts that are coming out of this…

North Carolina Zoo

The World’s Largest Natural Habitat Zoo

Facts & Figures

Address: 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27205

County: Randolph

Size: 2.142 square miles = 2,600 acres

Hours: Open Daily from 9:00am to 4:00pm

Phone: (800) 488-0444

Website: https://www.nczoo.org

Management: North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Animals:

Antelope
Baboon
Black Bear
Bobcat
Bison
Cheetah
Chimpanzee
Elephant
Elk
Flamingo
Giraff
Gray Wolf
Grizzly Bear
Lemur
Lion
Ocelot
Ostrich
Polar Bear
Seal
Zebra

Exhibits:

African Pavilion
Africa Bushlands
North American Sonoran Desert
North America Marsh
North America Rocky Coast
R.J. Reynolds Forest Aviary
Africa Lemur Island
Africa Patas Monkey Exhibit
Africa Forest Glade
North America Streamside
North America Honeybee Garden
Africa Watani Grasslands
North America Northwoods
North America Prairie
Africa Kitera Forest
Africa Forest Edge
North America Cypress Swamp

Photos

Overview

Located centrally in the geographic center of the state in Asheboro in Randolph County, the North Carolina Zoo is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo at 2,600 acres in size. The North Carolina Zoo offers daily admission, group pricing, and annual memberships, offering a variety of options to explore all the zoo has to offer. With dozens of exhibits and over 1,800 animals, the North Carolina Zoo provides educational opportunities time and time again, even for repeat visits with an annual membership. From the smallest of insects to the largest of mammals, there is fun for everyone!

Our Experience

At only a 1.5-hour drive from our home outside of Raleigh, the North Carolina Zoo is our family’s favorite day trip. We have been annual zoo members since relocating to North Carolina in 2013. With the cost of an annual membership, just two visits a year for a family of four will pay for the membership. In addition to admission at the North Carolina Zoo, an annual membership also gets you in to all of the North Carolina Aquariums, as well as half price admission to a wide variety of other educational partners, such as the Greensboro Science Center.

Our family typically goes to the North Carolina Zoo at least once in the spring and once in the fall. Summer is brutally hot and humid, unless you take advantage of rare cold fronts, which is what we did in the summer of 2019. However, the spring season with blooming flowers and plants makes for a beautiful time of year to visit and the fall season with the changing leaves makes for a spectacular visit. As natives of Northeast Ohio, we were used to the Akron Zoo and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, but after experiencing the North Carolina Zoo for the first time after relocating here, we were blown away. I’ll never forget the first time overlooking the African Grasslands and how vast it was. At 2,600 acres and 2.142 square miles, there is tons to explore. We like to park and begin our visit from the North American parking lot and make our way through the entire zoo to the African exhibits, then ride the tram back to where we started. We pack plenty of drinks and snacks for our kids, as well as a picnic lunch and stop halfway through our visit.

Survival 101

Survival 101:

How Not To Get Lost and What To Do If You Do

A Survival Story

About a year ago, a couple girls in California got lost in the woods near their home for 44 hours. They were found alive, after surviving life-threatening cold temperatures at night. They credit their survival skills to teachings they learned from their local 4-H club. By understanding some basic survival skills and making the right decisions, it can mean the difference between life and death.

Prevention vs. Reaction

First and foremost, the key to survival is prevention rather than reaction. The Boy Scout motto is: “Be Prepared.” As a Cub Scout and Boy Scout growing up, I remember learning the 6 P’s: Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Therefore, prevention of life threatening situations is key! Your outing or trip begins at home with the following:

Check the weather forecast.
Pack appropriate supplies.
Wear appropriate clothing.
Develop and file a proper trip plan.

File a Trip Plan!

Whether it’s an extended multi-day expedition or just a simple day hike at your local state park, taking the time to file a trip plan can be the difference between a rescue situation vs. a recovery situation. In other words, letting people know where you’ll be traveling will allow rescuers a better chance of finding you if you don’t return on time. A trip plan is similar to a float plan while boating. The following four W’s should be included in your trip plan:

Who: Names and ages of everyone in your group.
What: Color of clothing and equipment.
When: Time of departure and return.
Where: Where you’ll be going with stops.

Photo Credit: https://compass.coastguard.blog/2015/05/19/national-safe-boating-week-2015-float-plans/

Survival Rule of 3’s

The survival rule of 3’s states that you can survive:

3 minutes without air.
3 hours without shelter.
3 days without water.
30 days without food.

Therefore, your focus in a survival situation should be based on these priorities for staying alive. Another rule of 3 I like to include is 3 seconds without common sense. In other words, if you are buried on your smartphone and walk out into oncoming traffic, you will not survive longer than 3 seconds. Brutal, but true.

Photo Credit: https://www.snare-trap-survive.com/rule-of-threes/

The Ten Essentials

When engaging in any outdoor activity, it is a good idea to consider carrying what’s considered “The Ten Essentials” which will help in a survival situation. Similar to filing a trip plan, the ten essentials should be carried not just on extended multi-day expeditions, but also on simple day hikes. The following is a list of the ten essentials. This list is provided by outdoor retailer REI.

Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger
Headlamp: plus extra batteries
Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
First aid: including foot care and insect repellent (as needed)
Knife: plus a gear repair kit
Fire: matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove
Shelter: carried at all times (can be a light emergency bivy)
Extra food: Beyond the minimum expectation
Extra water: Beyond the minimum expectation
Extra clothes: Beyond the minimum expectation

List and Photo Credit: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html

What To Do If You Get Lost

So what happens if you take all of the necessary precautions to plan ahead and use designated trails while out in the wilderness but still end up getting lost? First and foremost, “STOP”, which stands for Sit down, Think, Observe, and Plan. Don’t panic. By panicking, it can cause you to make poor decisions which could work against you in your survival situation. The following are the steps that should be taken in order when lost:

S.T.O.P. – Sit down, Think, Observe, Plan.
Provide First Aid
Seek Shelter
Build a Fire
Signal for Help
Drink Water
Don’t Worry About Food

Photo Credit: https://www.hunter-ed.com/montana/studyGuide/S.T.O.P./20102704_700188649/

Conclusion

This blog post is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to survival and is designed to provide a simple overview of some basic survival concepts. There are books, videos, and even survival schools that teach wilderness survival skills in much greater detail. Having a basic understanding of survival skills while in the wilderness can help keep you safe and could mean the difference between life and death in a survival situation.

Oak Island, North Carolina

“A family-friendly beach community with a small-town atmosphere”

Facts & Figures

County: Brunswick

Website: https://www.oakislandnc.com

Attractions:

Photos

Overview

Oak Island, North Carolina is a small beach town located in Brunswick County, about 45 minutes south of Wilmington. Oak Island is unique in that the beach runs East to West, rather than North to South, due to North Carolina’s coastal geography. Unlike many of the other numerous beach towns along the coast, Oak Island is not commercialized like other beach towns in the Outer Banks and nearby Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This makes for a very laid back atmosphere. However, the town is much quieter during the off-season, with some restaurants and stores closing down until the peak summer beach season. Oak Island offers a wide variety of attractions, including golf courses, recreation, restaurants, stores, and multiple beach access points, as well as a salt marsh inlet in between the beach and mainland.

Our Experience

Oak Island is our family’s favorite destination in North Carolina! After exploring many other beaches along North Carolina’s coast, we have found a home in Oak Island. We love everything about it, including the beaches, parks, restaurants, and everything else it has to offer.

Our favorite places to visit during our trips to Oak Island include the Ocean Crest Pier and the salt marsh inlet in between the beach and Intracoastal Waterway. This includes a scenic boardwalk between SE 20th Street and 19th PL East. This is a great place for exploring wildlife, including a variety of birds and marine wildlife such as Fiddler Crabs.

While in town, we also like to visit nearby Southport, a short drive from Oak Island. Southport is a great place for eating fresh seafood and watching large freighter ships coming in and out of the Port of Wilmington. There is also a nice downtown area filled with small shops. Southport is a popular filming location for television and movies.

On rainy days, we take the ferry over to Fort Fisher to visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. This is our favorite North Carolina Aquarium and is still fun for our kids after many visits over the years.

As golfers, we like to play golf while in town on vacation, as well. We’ve played nearby Carolina National Golf Club in Bolivia several times. I’ve also played the Oak Island Par Three at South Harbor with our son.

Finally, Oak Island Parks & Recreation does a great job with their parks and summer festivals, including the annual “Oak Island Beach Day” around the July 4th holiday.

If you’re looking for a new beach town destination, be sure to check out Oak Island!

Pinehurst Resort

“The Cradle of American Golf”

Facts & Figures

Address: 80 Carolina Vista Drive, Pinehurst, NC 28374

County: Moore

Phone: (855) 235-8507

Website: https://www.pinehurst.com

Activities:

Boating
Croquet
Cycling
Golf
Tennis
Swimming

Accommodations:

Carolina Hotel
Holly Inn
The Manor
Carolina Villas
Condos at Pinehurst

Photos

Overview

Opened in 1895, Pinehurst Resort is known as “The Cradle of American Golf.” Located in the Village of Pinehurst in North Carolina’s Sandhills region in the South Central part of the state, it is less than a 2-hour drive from Raleigh/Durham and Charlotte, making it an easily accessible retreat. Known for hosting the US Open golf championship many times, golf is the primary activity at Pinehurst. However, it also offers swimming in the pools, tennis on the tennis courts, fine dining and shopping in town, a spa for relaxation, and boating at the marina, a short drive from the main resort. It features luxurious overnight accommodations, offering a comfortable retreat away from busy life.

Our Experience

My first experience with Pinehurst Resort was when I competed in the Pinehurst International Triathlon in 2017. Although my focus for that visit was on my race that day, I did get to do some sightseeing and enjoyed lunch at the Holly Inn after my race. My dad and stepmom were in the process of relocating to Pinehurst from Northeast Ohio, so I had a place to stay with my dad in the Condos at Pinehurst. Most of my experience with my first trip was at Pinehurst Marina, where the olympic distance triathlon was based. Lake Pinehurst is beautiful and offers boat rentals and a beach for relaxation.

Since then, our family has made many trips back to Pinehurst to visit my dad and stepmom. We have enjoyed swimming at the pool several times during our hot summers, dining at the 91st Hole inside the Resort Clubhouse, hitting golf balls on the driving range, and playing golf on The Cradle, the resort’s Par 3 golf course. Pinehurst Resort offers a spectacular retreat away from busy life.

Raven Rock State Park

A Hidden Gem Along the Cape Fear River Valley

Facts & Figures

Address: 3009 Raven Rock Road, Lillington, NC 27546

County: Harnett

Size: 4,810 acres

Hours: Open daily from 7:00am to 7:00pm

Phone: (910) 893-4888

Website: https://www.ncparks.gov/raven-rock-state-park/home

Management: North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks & Recreation

Activities/Amenities:

Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Paddling
Picnicking

Photos

Overview

Located along the Cape Fear River Valley in Lillington, NC in Harnett County, Raven Rock State Park offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities including camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, paddling, and picnicking. Less than an hour drive from Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Pinehurst, it is a popular place for family hiking. It is especially beautiful in the fall season when the leaves begin to change color. Hiking terrain varies from easy to difficult, with a variety of loops and trails for all ages. The Cape Fear River is also a popular spot for paddling. Although there is no river access to launch or land boats, the park does offer a canoe camping spot along the river. Check with the State Park Office for information. Nearby Cape Fear River Adventures offers tubing and paddling trips.

Our Experience

Raven Rock State Park is our family’s favorite place for family hikes! We normally make it out to the park at least once in the late winter/early spring and once in the fall season. It is a 45-minute drive from our home near Raleigh, so it makes for a quick half-day hiking adventure. Our favorite family hike is the 2.6-mile Raven Rock Loop Trail, which includes the scenic overlook of the Cape Fear River Valley down below. Halfway through the loop, you can continue down several flights of stairs to see the river up close and to explore Raven Rock, the rock formation for which the park get its name. For a treat after hiking, check out the Visitor Center to learn more about the area.

Bonus: to keep our kids excited about family hikes and to reward them for completing a hike at each park we visit, we started purchasing hiking medallions to add to their hiking staffs. Every state park we have visited in North Carolina sells hiking medallions in their visitor centers, including Raven Rock State Park. I will share more about tips for outdoor recreation for families with small children in an upcoming blog post.

Hiking medallions on our hiking staffs from North Carolina State Parks

Snow Day in Raleigh, NC!

Snowman we built this week after our snow!

This week we had our first measurable snow in Raleigh, NC in almost two years. It made for a memorable ending to the week and brought back memories of the few snow events we’ve experienced over our past six years here in North Carolina.

I’ll never forget our first snow event here in Raleigh, NC in January 2014. We had moved to the Triangle the week before Christmas in 2013 from the snow belt of Northeast Ohio, where snow is measured in feet, not inches. We had heard from native North Carolinians how bad it gets when it snows here in the South, but had no idea how treacherous the roads can be after it snows. From what I remember, that snow of January 2014 was upwards of 4-6″, which shut down the city for days. Although 4-6″ of snow is a regular occurrence in the Midwest, they just don’t have the resources to handle that much snow here in North Carolina.

The problem with that particular snow event was how quickly it came in. People did not get out of work early enough to beat the snow, which caused a gridlock on all the Interstates and roads around the Triangle. It was so slick that vehicles could not make it up Glenwood Avenue in North Raleigh, which is when a photo from a local woman went viral. A vehicle engine caught fire after it overheated when it struggled to climb up Glenwood Avenue. My commute to the suburbs, which normally takes 45 minutes, took me 2.5 hours to get home, but I made it home safe and sound!

Since that first snow experience six years ago, I can count on one hand the number of snow events we’ve had. But every time since then we have been extremely cautious, with just the threat of snow causing schools to be cancelled. Everyone learned their lesson from that “Snowmageddon” event of January 2014.

There are a few guarantees when snow is in the forecast and when we do receive measurable snow here in Raleigh, North Carolina.

For whatever reason, bread, eggs, and milk are cleared off of the shelves at grocery stores in advance of the snow storm. Why the ingredients for French Toast are the first things to go is a mystery, but it is humorous for everyone who lives here.
All the kids across the Triangle get dressed up in their snowsuits, hats, and gloves and enjoy the snow for hours, sledding, building snowmen, and making snow angels.
Any snow becomes a 24/7 news event, where you see around the clock coverage of the conditions, roads, and weather. There is something special about watching local news coverage of a winter wonderland!

For me, I take full advantage of any measurable snow cover on the roads, breaking out my cross country skis and skiing around our neighborhood. That first major snow event I skied around our neighborhood and remember when some neighbors stopped their Jeep, rolled down their window, and asked me what I was doing. I told them I was “enjoying the snow!” I don’t think they had ever seen someone on skis before…

Cross Country Skiing around our neighborhood in January 2018

Ocracoke Island

Facts & Figures

County: Hyde

Population: 948

Zip Code: 27960

Area: 9.6 square miles (8.6 square miles of land, 640 acres of water)

Resources:

Ferry System: https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/ferry/Pages/default.aspx
Lodging: https://ocracokeguide.com/accommodations
Ocracoke Light Station: https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/ols.htm
Teach’s Hole Blackbeard Exhibit and Pirate Shop: https://www.teachshole.com

Photos

Overview

Ocracoke Island is a remote barrier island off the coast of North Carolina and is part of the Outer Banks region. It is accessible by ferry only, which makes it a very remote and special place. It was the location where the famous pirate Blackbeard died in 1718. It has a rich history dating back to the Algonquian-speaking Indians. The main economies are fishing and tourism. The island was devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, but NC-12 has since reopened to the general public.

Our Experience

My family has been to Ocracoke Island a few times since relocating to North Carolina over six years ago to visit friends when they traveled down here from Northeast Ohio for vacation. They were always so generous in renting a house big enough to accommodate our family, so we always had a place to stay.

They would show us around the island and visit all of the places that make Ocracoke Island so special. We would bring our bikes and bike trailer for our oldest two kids when they were younger and we would ride around the island. The entire Ocracoke Island experience is incredible, from riding the ferry down from Hatteras Island, to driving down NC-12, to exploring the Ocracoke Light Station, to driving a four wheel drive truck on the beach. Ocracoke Island is a special place like no other in North Carolina!

With tourism being a main economy for Ocracoke Island and it being devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, I would strongly encourage anyone exploring options for vacations this summer to seriously consider Ocracoke Island for your next vacation.