Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area

Set along the Pine Knoll Shores waterfront on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area is a 265-acre preserve protecting one of the last remaining maritime forests on Bogue Banks. The area surrounds the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores on three sides and offers hikers two trails through a rare and ecologically rich coastal landscape.

The preserve traces its origins to Alice Hoffman, a wealthy New Yorker whose family purchased 8.5 miles of Bogue Banks in 1917 and who eventually moved to the island permanently in 1938. After Alice’s death, her estate passed to her niece Eleanor, wife of Theodore Roosevelt Jr., President Theodore Roosevelt’s eldest son. In 1971, the Roosevelt family donated 298 acres of Alice’s estate to the state of North Carolina, and the proceeds were used to build both the aquarium and the broader preserve. Click on any of the images below to dive deeper into the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area trail experience.

A 265-Acre Preserve with Roosevelt Family Roots

The natural area’s history runs deeper than its name suggests. Alice Hoffman was a descendant of a wealthy New York family that purchased 8.5 miles of Bogue Banks in 1917. She fell in love with the island, abandoned her residences in New York and Paris, and moved to Bogue Banks permanently in 1938.

Alice had no children. Over the years, she developed a close friendship with her niece, Eleanor Alexander, who would eventually marry Theodore Roosevelt Jr., President Theodore Roosevelt’s eldest son. When Alice passed away, her estate transferred to Eleanor and the broader Roosevelt family.

In 1971, the Roosevelts donated 298 acres of Alice’s estate to the state of North Carolina to honor President Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation legacy. The state used the proceeds to build both the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and the natural area preserve that surrounds it. Today, the active preserve covers approximately 265 acres — a quiet, wooded buffer between the aquarium and the broader Pine Knoll Shores community.

Two Trails Through the Natural Area

The preserve features two distinct trails, each offering a different experience:

Theodore Roosevelt Nature Trail — A longer route that winds along a high dune ridge through the maritime forest and salt marshes. Accessible directly from the NC Aquarium parking lot at no cost (no aquarium admission required)
Alice Hoffman Nature Trail — A shorter, family-friendly route that leads to a viewing blind at East Pond and crosses a marsh boardwalk. Accessible only with admission to the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

Together, the two trails give visitors a layered way to experience the natural area — from a free public trail through the heart of the dune-ridge forest to a paid family-friendly stroll with bird-viewing access at East Pond. The trail bearing Alice Hoffman’s name is a fitting tribute to the woman whose estate made the entire preserve possible.

A Rare Maritime Forest and Diverse Coastal Wildlife

The preserve protects one of the last remaining maritime forests on Bogue Banks — a genuinely rare ecosystem along the increasingly developed NC coastline. Inside the forest, hikers encounter towering live oaks that have stood for hundreds of years, alongside dogwood, hollies, loblolly pines, red bays, sweet gum, yaupons, and wax myrtles.

The wildlife list is one of the richest along the broader Crystal Coast. Visitors can spot:

River otters — Active in the marshlands across the preserve
Marsh rabbits — Common along the lower-elevation sections
Gray foxes — Native to the maritime forest interior; occasionally spotted
Raccoons, squirrels, and small mammals — Throughout the preserve
Egrets, herons, ibises, and kingfishers — Frequenting the salt marshes and East Pond
Ospreys — Soaring above the natural area
Forest songbirds — Kinglets, nuthatches, flycatchers, vireos, warblers, and chickadees throughout the maritime forest
Reptiles and amphibians — Salamanders, frogs, anoles, snakes, and turtles native to the habitat

The combination of mammals, raptors, wading birds, songbirds, and reptiles makes the natural area one of the most rewarding wildlife-spotting stops anywhere along the broader Crystal Coast — especially for birdwatchers, who can hear a year-round natural chorus throughout both trails.

Visitor Information — Closing Times, Restrooms, and Trail Safety

A few practical considerations are worth noting before visiting:

Closing time: Public access closes daily at 4:30 PM — plan trail visits accordingly
Restrooms: Available at the aquarium; no restrooms along the trails
Water: Bring your own water and snacks; no water fountains along the rustic trails
Stay on the main footpath: Helps minimize encounters with snakes and poison ivy along the route
Sun and bug protection: Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended, especially in the warmer months
Photography: A camera is worth bringing — the maritime forest and East Pond offer strong photographic opportunities, especially for birding

The combination of preserved maritime forest, Roosevelt family heritage, and accessible trail experiences makes the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area one of the most distinctive coastal stops in Carteret County.