Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Van Tour

Climb aboard for a guided wildlife adventure through Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and discover some of the incredible animals that call this wild corner of the Outer Banks home.

Led by refuge volunteers, each van tour is a little different and can be customized around the wildlife participants are most interested in seeing. The van travels through the refuge, stopping whenever wildlife or other interesting sights are spotted along the way.

Keep your eyes open for black bears, river otters, wild turkeys, bald eagles, great blue herons, alligators, turtles and even the refuge’s critically endangered red wolves.

Of course, this isn’t a zoo, so no particular animal sighting can be guaranteed. That’s part of the adventure—with thousands of animals living throughout the refuge, you never know what might appear around the next corner.

Dates: Every Thursday in August — remaining dates Aug. 20 & Aug. 27, 2026, 5-7 pm
Location: Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Ages: 6 and up
Group Size: Maximum of 6 participants
Cost: $30 per person; $20 for children ages 12 and under
Reservations: Required

Meeting Location: Creef Cut Wildlife Trail Parking Lot, Hwy. 64 & Milltail Road, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge — approximately 6 miles west of Manns Harbor.

To reserve: Call 252-216-9464 to make your reservation and pay for the tour.

Space is extremely limited with only six participants per tour, so advance reservations are strongly recommended.