Fort Macon State Park – Elliott Coues Nature Trail

The Elliott Coues Nature Trail at Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, offers a picturesque 3.2-mile loop that meanders through a diverse coastal landscape. Named after Dr. Elliott Coues, a 19th-century naturalist and army surgeon stationed at the fort, the trail highlights the area’s rich natural beauty, which includes maritime forests, salt marshes, and sand dunes. Hikers can also enjoy impressive views of Fort Macon itself, as well as WWII Guns and the remnants of a WWII bunker.

The trail is suitable for hikers, bikers, and nature enthusiasts, featuring shaded paths beneath live oaks and red cedars, boardwalks over wetlands, and elevated vantage points overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Bogue Sound, and Beaufort Inlet. Accessible from both the fort and beach parking areas, this trail provides opportunities to spot wildlife such as shorebirds, deer, and herons, making it an ideal destination for exercise and exploration in a historically significant setting.

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Resources

Fort Macon State Park Website

Coastal Review – Our Coast: Fort Macon and Elliott Coues

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Location

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