Fall Favorites of the OBX

September 14, 2021

The Outer Banks really shines in the summer time, but fall is another great opportunity for an OBX escape. Here are some of our favorite parts of autumn on the coast.

Longer Walks

If you like long walks on the beach, but often find yourself overheated, burning your toes on hot sand, and dodging beach goers, then perhaps the off-season is for you. With milder temperatures and less crowds, you could walk from Nags Head to Corolla if you really, really, really, wanted to.

Over the dunes and away from the beach, there are some great nature trails that would be excellent for walking while the leaves change. Enjoy the beauty of Nags Heads Woods without swatting at mosquitos or over-heating. We have a guide to the best nature trails our barrier island has to offer.

More Pet-Friendly

Considering all of the aforementioned, it’s no wonder the fall and winter are great times to take your pup on a getaway! Less crowded beaches, milder temps, sand that won’t scorch paws, and looser leash laws make for a great excuse to get your dog out of the house and down on vacation! If you’re visiting with Fido, you’ll want to be sure to check out a Dog’s Guide to the Outer Banks.

Beach Bonfires

Name a more relaxing experience than a bonfire on the beach –we’ll wait. Cozy up this fall and have a seaside fire with your loved ones. Bonfires are not allowed on the northern beaches, but are allowed on certain beaches with a permit.

OuterBanks.com has a great beach fire resource, stating the following “

• Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills – Bonfires are not allowed on the beach.
• Nags Head – Bonfires are allowed on the beach with a permit. Permits are issued by Nags Head Fire and Rescue online here. Permits are based on current wind and fire danger conditions.
• Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras, and Ocracoke (Cape Hatteras National Seashore oversees these beaches) – Beach fire permits are required. Print, sign and keep your paper permit with you (permits available here)From May 1 to November 15, beach bonfires are only allowed at Coquina Beach, the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras, and the Ocracoke day use area. From November 16 – April 30, Beach fires are allowed throughout the park. Fires are allowed from 6am – 10pm. An adult must be present. Fires must not be greater than 3 feet in diameter. Fires must be built and maintained below the high-tide line and 50 feet from any vegetation. Fires cannot be left unattended, and must be extinguished upon end of use. The area must be cleaned up.”

Seafood Festival

One of the best parts about a beach vacation is the fresh, local seafood. It’s so great, in fact, that every fall the OBX throws a whole festival just to celebrate it! The Seafood Festival is a great way to try all that our area has to offer.

Bluegrass Festival

Diggin’ into our Appalachian roots, this little North Carolina community celebrates big. The annual Bluegrass Music Festival takes place on gorgeous and historic grounds: Roanoke Island Festival Park. An absolutely stunning venue, surrounded by water is aptly dubbed Bluegrass Island during the exciting weekend. Be sure to book ahead and solidify your plans with plenty of time, as this attraction draws crowds.

As the festival‘s website so cleverly put it, it’s all about the “blue skies, blue waters, and bluegrass!”