I've ridden by it several times going to and from OBX, but never bothered to explore it. I'm glad that I finally did!! And yeah, bears were everywhere!

It's definitely a good place to go to learn how to get your bearings. It's not easy to get lost in, and it has good cell coverage throughout the entire refuge.

@@DefiantOffroad Looking to hit some places before going cross country to explore. Do you have any other good places you recommend?

I have lots! What are you trying to get into? If you want to learn the ins and outs of soft sand hit the 4x4 beach at Corolla. While you're there, you can hop over the dune line in Carova and run Ocean Pearl Rd (aka the "Gauntlet"), to learn the basics of fording water. Once you're ready to head towards the mountains, Flagpole Knob is generally the first place people go to get their first taste of mountain offroading. It's a super easy trail that has great scenery.

We hit the Alligator trail today and enjoyed it! We spotted a few bear and enjoyed the drive around. They had lots of the roads closed due to people getting too close to the wolves. Tomorrow we may hit Chowan roads.

@@cassiealbert2415 Glad you enjoyed it! The trails in Chowan are sometimes closed, depending on which hunting season it is.

Camping isn't permitted anywhere in the National Wildlife Refuge, but there are some campgrounds in the Outer Banks. There is one about 45 minutes or so away, south of Nags Head, at the Hatteras National seashore.

You don't want to camp in these parts. Been twice in the past month and seen a bear both times different sizes.