• Bodie Island Nature Trail AKA Bodie Island Boardwalk Trail, Nags Head

• Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Bodie Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina

August 2023

Address: I used Google Maps to get to: Bodie Island Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse Road, Outer Banks, North Carolina

Parking: 1 gravel lot and 1 paved lot, Room for 30+ vehicles

85 degrees at 11:00AM-12:00PM, sunny

Public toilets available at trail start at the edge of the parking area, has sinks

The trail is free. [To climb the 219 steps with 9 landings of the lighthouse, we had to buy ticket reservations online: [https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/lighthouseclimbs.htm].

On-leash dogs are allowed at the outdoor facilities.

The boardwalk is described as .4 miles round trip on the sign at its entrance.

A stroller could navigate this area.  It was level with no inclines after initially gaining access to the boardwalk.  (I do not have a strong memory of the start but I believe there was a step up to the boardwalk.)

The path was very popular with families and pairs of people.   I enjoyed the views along this boardwalk and we especially enjoyed the surprise of seeing the otter.  I have never seen one so large!  According to the ranger I asked at the top of the light house, the name of the lighthouse is pronounced “Body” Lighthouse.  We walked the boardwalk after climbing the lighthouse.  A hat with strings is helpful at the top of the lighthouse due to the breeze when outside at the railing.  Down on the boardwalk, the breeze was mild.  

There was no shade except at the end of the boardwalk where there was a roofed area to sit.

I did not see any trash except in the marshy areas off the boardwalk.  Signs say to stay on the boardwalk to avoid disturbing snakes.

I was not troubled with mosquitos here.

This is an area where short pants, rather than long pants, worked fine for me. 

We saw an otter, trees, grasses and flowers.

More information: https://www.nps.gov/places/000/bodie-island-nature-trail.htm