Outer Banks Playgrounds & Parks

Day of Arrival: Welcome to the Outer Banks!

Driving from the north and need a place to stop for a bit before getting to the Outer Banks? 

The Currituck County Rural Center is approximately 6.5 miles north of the Wright Memorial Bridge that connects Currituck County to the Outer Banks. Currituck County Rural Center (184 Milburn Sawyer Rd. in Powells Point) features a playground, dog park, disc golf course, picnic pavilions, a boardwalk along the sound, and ample green space to run around and stretch your legs before getting to the Outer Banks. Public restrooms are available.

Early Afternoon:

You’ve made it to the Outer Banks! Head to Dowdy Park in Nags Head to let the kids burn off some energy and move around a bit. Let the kids explore the imaginative, inclusive playground. The park features a large lawn, a basketball court, and a pickleball court. There is also a fitness trail that borders the park. There is very little shade at the park, but some tables have sunshades. Public restrooms are available.

What’s nearby? 

Enjoy a late lunch or early dinner at a local spot with outdoor seating, such as Blue Moon Beach Grill in Nags Head or, if you’re heading north, Rundown Cafe in Kitty Hawk. If you’re in Corolla, the infamous Corolla Village Bar-B-Que is just steps away from Twiddy’s Corolla office playground. 

Nags Head

Morning: 

Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Climbing the giant dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park is an authentic Outer Banks experience that is not to be missed. Once at the top, you are treated to panoramic views of the ocean and the sound, as well as wide open space to run around in the sand. Fly a kite, try sandboarding, or simply run and slide down the big sand hills. If you’d like to hike and look for local wildlife, there are trails in parts of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. We recommend visiting Jockey’s Ridge in the morning hours or in the evening, close to sunset. The sand can get really hot at midday.

What’s nearby:

Dune Burger for burgers, fries, and milkshakes, available for lunch or dinner. This old-school walk-up restaurant offers tasty eats with a side of Nags Head nostalgia. Dune Burger borders Whalebone Park, so there’s no need to get back in the car to go there. Jennette’s Pier is across the street and can be a fun and free activity for kids and adults of all ages. Walk up the long boarded ramp for a great view of the beach below. Inside, there are several exhibits and a few fish tanks that highlight the Outer Banks’ dynamic environment and biodiversity. Access to the fishing segment of the pier is available for a nominal fee.

Hayman Park

If you’re staying on the northern side of Kill Devil Hills, try Hayman Park. Located just off the bypass on the west side near milepost 6, this park includes a play structure and swings. In addition, there is a wide-open field, perfect for kicking a soccer ball around, playing wiffleball, or simply running around. Limited parking is available beside the park. At the end of the street, you’ll find Hayman Gazebo, a pier over the sound, which is a great place to catch the sunset. Limited parking is available across the street from Hayman Gazebo.

Family Recreation Park

At Family Recreation Park, there are two play structures: a pirate-themed set for smaller children and a larger playset for older children. The playground equipment at Family Recreation Park is partially shaded, and a mature live oak tree is located nearby, providing a perfect spot for climbing. The park is located at 602 Mustian Street, and public restrooms are available. 

What’s Nearby?

Do the kids still have energy? Head to the Outer Banks Brewing Station to enjoy appetizers, lunch, or dinner and a cold beer while the kids play on the pirate ship playset. The Brewing Station yard is fenced in and has picnic tables with table service.

Kitty Hawk

Morning:

Paul Pruitt Park

Paul Pruitt Park features swings and two play structures – one designed for toddlers and smaller children, and the other for older children. The playground is partially shaded in the morning. A porta-potty is available. The park is located at 5610 The Woods Road. 

Sandy Run

Drive a few miles down the road to Sandy Run Park. This half-mile nature loop is perfect for little ones. The trail is mostly flat and goes through the woods and around a pond. When over the pond, take a  peek at the turtles in the water below. A porta-potty is available. Sandy Run is located at 4343 The Woods Road.

Afternoon/Evening:

Kitty Hawk Park

Visit Kitty Hawk Park in the evening to play before dinner. The play structure is suitable for smaller children, and it also features swings. If there is a skateboarder in your family, there is a skate park adjacent to the playground. Kitty Hawk Park also features a dog park and a nature trail. A picnic pavilion and grills, as well as public restrooms, are available. Kitty Hawk Park is located at 900 West Kitty Hawk Road.

Duck

Corolla

Morning:

Bring your own beach games! Hit the beach early: set up spikeball, bocce, paddleball, or cornhole.

Afternoon/Evening:

Historic Corolla Park

In Historic Corolla Park, there is an epic playground with a coastal-themed play structure, swings, a large goose slide, and more. There is a covered picnic shelter near the playground. Public restrooms are available nearby in the Currituck Maritime Museum. If the Maritime Museum is closed for the day, public restroom facilities are available across the park, near the Whalehead mansion.

What’s Nearby?

Before you head to the Historic Corolla Park playground, grab dinner from Corolla Pizza to enjoy under the picnic shelter. Be sure to watch the sunset over the sound nearby before you leave.

4×4 Beach

Morning: 

Carova Beach Park

Split into teams and play volleyball at Carova Beach Park. A playground is available nearby for the little ones in your group. There is no shade over the playground. When you’re ready to get out of the sun, picnic pavilions are nearby. Public restrooms are available. The park is located at Milepost 21, 2011 Ocean Pearl Road.

Afternoon/Evening:

Hike into False Cape State Park. Although the park is located in Virginia, it borders the northernmost part of Carova, the farthest point you can drive north on the 4×4 beach. To reach the park from Carova, drive north on Ocean Pearl Road until you reach the gate. Edward is familiar with the area and all of the neat things you can see on your hike, including remnants of the Wash Woods community. You may remember passing Wash Woods Station several miles south. This hike is great for any time of the year, but we strongly recommend bringing bug spray if you plan to hike during the summer.

What’s nearby?

If you’re staying on the 4×4 beach, your beach house is nearby! An evening of grillin’ and chillin’ is perfect after an active day.

Manteo

If you find yourself in Manteo during your Outer Banks vacation, there are a few fun playgrounds for kids to enjoy. 

Old Swimming Hole

Located on the soundfront between the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island and the Dare County airport is the Old Swimming Hole. There is a full-sun playground with swings, a picnic pavilion, and sound access, as well as the opportunity to watch smaller planes take off and land. The playground is located at 374 Airport Rd. Public restrooms are available.

What’s nearby? 

The NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island is located right next to the Old Swimming Hole playground, making it a convenient stop after visiting the aquarium. Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream is conveniently located just around the corner from the Downtown Manteo playground. 

For more information about playgrounds on the OBX, check out Outer Banks Little Locals playground guide.

Tennis & Pickleball Courts

Pickleball on the Outer Banks is just as popular as it is in other areas of the country. There are many OBX places to play pickleball, some of which are free and open to the public, while others are open to guests staying in the specific community where the court is located. Check out our guide to pickleball on the Outer Banks for more information about OBX pickleball. Public first-come, first-served tennis and pickleball courts are available at the following locations:

Looking for more free things to do on the Outer Banks? 

Each town has a variety of free things to do on the Outer Banks. Whether it’s walking your dog along the Duck Boardwalk or watching the fishermen bring in their fresh catch at the boat dock, there are free activities for every age and interest.