Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail
Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail
Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail
4
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This easy, 1-mile round trip trail winds through the Hoop Pole Creek's maritime forest and into an estuarine ecosystem. The property is listed as a natural heritage area because of its important ecological values and functions. It serves as a refuge for fish, wildlife and plants while also enhancing water quality. While visiting, you may see a variety of songbirds, wading birds and birds of prey, as well as deer, raccoons, butterflies, dragonflies, turtles, lizards and snakes.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
50 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
11
Average
13
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Justin P
Raleigh, NC4,562 contributions
Nov 2020
Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail is a 1-mile round-trip hike through the only remaining maritime forest left in Atlantic Beach. The property was protected by the NC Coastal Federation to prevent development and preserve this endangered habitat on Bogue Banks. We took our dog for a hike here while visiting Atlantic Beach. The trail is a mix of boardwalks and paved trail and leads to views of a salt marsh and the estuary where Hoop Pole Creek flows into Bogue Sound. We visited in winter, I imagine the bugs could get bad in the summer. A beautiful area and worth a visit to get away from crowds at the beach.
Written December 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It’s TJ
Raleigh, NC160 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
This trail runs through a maritime forest and ends at an estuary of the Intercoastal Waterway. It is well marked and maintained, with informative signs and a pamphlet available at the trailhead. Very easily accessible, flat, mostly paved or with boardwalk, and less than a mile loop. Although we were too early to enjoy the sunset, I am sure the view would be stunning at that time of day. The old, gnarly trees provide wonderful shade from the heat and for photo buffs there are plenty of opportunities to snap shots of both flora and fauna.
Written May 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy D
Augusta, Georgia, United States181 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
You enter this trail from the parking lot near bo jangles. I was able to use my rolling walker. I rated the trail 4 instead of 5 because there were no park brochures in the 2 boxes that are supposed to hold them and there were no signs along the trail telling me what I was supposed to be looking at! The deer fly were biting us that day which is no fault of anyone. We did enjoy the trail. It is a way for folks with mobility issues to enjoy nature. Small children would be able to walk this trail.
Written May 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheila M
Broad Creek, North Carolina, United States40 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
This short trail is owned and maintained by the North Carolina Coastal Federation. It is a nice walk in a maritime forest to the saltmarsh of Bogue Sound. There are trail guides to explain popular stops along the way. The trail is an easy hike. Although the coast does have bugs, I have never been encumbered by them to be deterred. I have hiked this trail in all seasons, several times a year. I am amazed by the several hundred year old oaks that grace the trail, the canoly of the full forest and the openness of the salt marsh. Free...it's free folks.
Written April 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GregandDiane
Medusa, NY86 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
If you want to take a stroll, park in the Food Lion parking lot and go into the trail from there. There is boardwalk through the marshy part. Be sure to stop along the way and check out the crabs and other critters in the shallow water. It's an easy walk, and fun for everyone to see the wildlife.
Written April 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeSteeves
Swink, CO216 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
Hoop Pole Creek! I thought it had been paved over and filled with condos and marinas!
We stumbled on this one while we were visiting my sister in Davis, NC. She had a touristy magazine that had an article about this little gem.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away ... long before the first condos went up on Atlantic Beach and long, long before that shopping center was even a developer's dream ... I used to visit Hoop Hole Creek to catch small jumping mullets and mud minnows and shrimp for bait for fishing on the ocean side piers. There was a little paved road that extended off the main road (NC 58), then only two lanes wide through the overhanging yaupon and scrub oak.
Leece and I visited it this past year. The old side road is still there but it's blocked off; you have to go into the Atlantic Station Shopping Center and park behind the Bojangles. The trailhead historical markers are just across the shopping center entrance road.
There is a boardwalk across the marshy area, to the old roadway. This is all heavily shaded by trees in a sort of small slice of maritime forest. Once on the old roadway, turn toward the sound and walk along what is now a paved trail. There are a couple of side trails off into the forest. The whole thing is only about half a mile long, but it presents some good birding and scenery opportunities.
You won't need sunscreen or a lot of water on this short hike, but you will need mosquito repellent and lots of it. This is a marshy area, and the bug population is one thing that hasn't changed in the last half century.
It's well worth taking an hour or so for a quick walk through, or more time to try to get some photos.
There's no food or drink available, but Atlantic Station has all that. Hoop Hole is also navigable by wheelchair.
Here is the trail's website:
http://www.visitnc.com/listing/hoop-pole-creek-nature-trail
We stumbled on this one while we were visiting my sister in Davis, NC. She had a touristy magazine that had an article about this little gem.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away ... long before the first condos went up on Atlantic Beach and long, long before that shopping center was even a developer's dream ... I used to visit Hoop Hole Creek to catch small jumping mullets and mud minnows and shrimp for bait for fishing on the ocean side piers. There was a little paved road that extended off the main road (NC 58), then only two lanes wide through the overhanging yaupon and scrub oak.
Leece and I visited it this past year. The old side road is still there but it's blocked off; you have to go into the Atlantic Station Shopping Center and park behind the Bojangles. The trailhead historical markers are just across the shopping center entrance road.
There is a boardwalk across the marshy area, to the old roadway. This is all heavily shaded by trees in a sort of small slice of maritime forest. Once on the old roadway, turn toward the sound and walk along what is now a paved trail. There are a couple of side trails off into the forest. The whole thing is only about half a mile long, but it presents some good birding and scenery opportunities.
You won't need sunscreen or a lot of water on this short hike, but you will need mosquito repellent and lots of it. This is a marshy area, and the bug population is one thing that hasn't changed in the last half century.
It's well worth taking an hour or so for a quick walk through, or more time to try to get some photos.
There's no food or drink available, but Atlantic Station has all that. Hoop Hole is also navigable by wheelchair.
Here is the trail's website:
http://www.visitnc.com/listing/hoop-pole-creek-nature-trail
Written August 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhjones69
Apex, NC410 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
we enjoyed our walk on this trail today. It's November and there were no bugs or mosquitos. It is an easy walk with lovely vegetation. My favorite is the huge live oak trees. I can picture the civil war soldiers sitting under them, no doubt they were there then!
Written November 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KATHY3716
Richmond, VA7 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
OMG. We wanted to do this so badly. Trail nicely marked and flat, but as soon as we were walking down the path we were attacked by mosquitos even though we were wearing bug spray!
Written August 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LA-Traveler70043
New Orleans, LA292 contributions
Jun 2018
Nice area to visit. Interesting to learn about Sand Dunes and how they actually protect the property behind the by redirecting the winds.
Written May 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdirondackTom
Creston, NC81 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
Has a wooded walkway in a portion and you get to see nature. Geocaching hides in park. The trail also goes along the sound side of the island. Saw lots of crabs, fish and birds.
Written April 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi what is the address please?
Written April 10, 2017
nccoastalfed
Newport, North Carolina
Hello Jamie, thank you for your question. The address is: Milepost 3.5, Hwy. 58. Atlantic Beach,NC. If that address doesn't come up on your map, the trail is across from a Bojangles located at 916 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC. Hope that helps!
Written April 12, 2017
what is it like in january
Written January 27, 2017
It is absolutely fine. There are no mosquitoes and other annoying insects. You will still see the birds at the estuary. There is another longer hiking trail near the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. It is in front of the front entrance. Just ask. Enjoy your travels.
Written January 28, 2017
At least wheelchair accessible. As I recall there is about 15 feet of hard level ground between the street and the board walk - I don't remember details from the curb, but there's little enough traffic to put the chair on the ground right there at the curb before parking. After that most of the trail is boardwalk or concrete. Eventually you get to dirt/sand trail that you can evaluate from there - or turn back. Most of it is accessible.
Written June 24, 2016
nccoastalfed
Newport, North Carolina
Yes, dogs are welcome! We just ask that people pick up after their pets when using the trail.
Written April 12, 2017
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