The Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area in Pine Knoll Shores, NC features two distinct trails through its 265-acre preserve along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Both trails wind through rare coastal maritime forest, salt marshes, and habitat that supports the preserve’s diverse wildlife — including river otters, gray foxes, marsh rabbits, and a wide range of coastal birds.
Click on the trail names below to learn more about each of the trails — or check out our blog post Ocean to Outlook: Hiking Adventures at NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores for a complete walkthrough of both routes.
| Trail Name | Length | Trail Type | Difficulty | Trail Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Hoffman Nature Trail | 0.7-mile | Loop | Easy | Hiking |
| Theodore Roosevelt Nature Trail | 1.3-mile | Out-and-Back | Easy | Hiking |
Choosing Your Trail at the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area
Both trails are rated easy and family-friendly, but they offer different experiences and have different access models. Here’s how to think about each:
Alice Hoffman Nature Trail (0.7-mile loop) — The shorter, family-friendly route accessible from the aquarium’s marsh boardwalk. It features a distinctive suspension bridge crossing a marshy section and leads to a viewing blind at East Pond. Access requires admission to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. A great fit for visitors already at the aquarium who want a quiet walk to bird-watch from the East Pond blind.
Theodore Roosevelt Nature Trail (1.3-mile out-and-back) — The longer route, winding along a high dune ridge through the preserve’s maritime forest. Accessible directly from the NC Aquarium parking lot at no cost — no aquarium admission required. A great fit for visitors looking for a free hike, or for those wanting a more substantial walk through the rare coastal maritime forest.
Many visitors choose to hike both trails together during a single visit — combining the free Theodore Roosevelt Nature Trail with the aquarium admission for the Alice Hoffman Nature Trail. The combined experience covers approximately 2 miles of trail across both routes.