Knotts Island: Discover Nature Trails and Wildlife

Trails in Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge

In Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, Great Marsh Trail and Hegge Impoundment Loop Trail differ in length, route type, and landscape. Great Marsh Trail is a short loop; the Hegge trail is laid out as a longer point-to-point route. When planning your day, it’s not just the mileage that matters, but also whether you return to the trailhead and which wetland landscape you want to explore.

Great Marsh Trail is 0.35 miles long, has a natural surface, and is mostly flat. It is located off SR 615 on Marsh Causeway, 3.4 miles east of the turnoff to the refuge office. Its length, flat terrain, and surface make it easy to plan as a short loop; it returns to the starting point.

Hegge Impoundment Loop Trail is 1.30 miles long, rated easy, and laid out as a point-to-point trail with an estimated walking time of one hour. It is open to foot and bicycle traffic; seasonal access restrictions apply. The estimated walking time provides a practical time frame for walking, while the trail type and length distinguish it from the shorter Great Marsh loop.

Wetlands and Wildlife Viewing

Along Hegge Impoundment Loop Trail, the route passes refuge impoundments, marshes, and swamp forest. You may spot various rails and bitterns, northern harriers, muskrats, otters, as well as numerous turtles and snakes. The combination of these wetland habitats and possible wildlife sightings shapes the trail’s natural character.

Great Marsh Trail passes through a swamp-like habitat where various songbirds, small mammals, reptiles, and other living creatures can be found. This is a key difference to consider when choosing: Great Marsh focuses on a swamp-like habitat; Hegge combines specific wetland landscapes with the possibility of spotting various species.

At Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, staff manage 8,219 acres of land owned in fee in Currituck County, North Carolina, and Virginia Beach, Virginia. This acreage gives a broader sense of the refuge that encompasses the two trails and wetland habitats.

Getting There and Other Places to Visit

From the south, reach the Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge office via the free Knotts Island Ferry from Currituck Courthouse on US Highway 168; then head north on SR 615. Check ferry service before you travel. Great Marsh Trail is located off SR 615 on Marsh Causeway, 3.4 miles east of the turnoff to the refuge office. Together, the ferry, road, and turnoff provide specific reference points for getting there and locating the trail.

Knotts Island Ruritan Park has a playground as well as a pavilion with grills and restrooms. The park’s specific amenities set it apart from trail and habitat planning in the refuge. If you’re planning to visit different places on Knotts Island, you can think of nature trails and park amenities as separate highlights.

Discover more destinations: Corolla, Poplar Branch.

For the broader travel overview: Currituck County.