Roanoke Island Mashes Game Land

Roanoke Island Marshes is a 1874-acre protected area on Roanoke Island in Dare County. Roanoke Island was the site of the first English settlement in North America in 1585. Virgina Dare, born in 1587, was the first English child born in North America. However, by 1590, the settlers and all traces of the Roanoke Colony had vanished and so it's often referred to as the Lost Colony. The game lands protect much of the marsh area on the south side of the island, south of US-64. Although much of the area is impenetrable marsh, accessible only by boat, there is a small waterfowl impoundment with a loop trail around it.

Directions:

There is a small parking area to access the waterfowl impoundment and trail. The rest of the area is only accessible by boat. To reach the parking area, go south on NC-347 from the intersection with US-64 for 0.4 miles and turn left into the small gravel parking area. A kiosk with a map is at the trailhead.

Map:

Trails:

A 1.3-mile trail leads around the waterfowl impoundment. The area around the impoundment is a safety zone, so no hunting. On the north side of the impoundment are two wooden overlooks with views over the marshes and pond.

Wildlife:

Yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a twining vine that produces yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers.

Canadian serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) is a small tree or shrub that produces white flowers and small purple berries.

Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) build their nests high in the trees and hunt for fish in the sound.

Blog Entries:

06-Apr-2019: Jockey's Ridge Hikes