Bay Colony Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bay Colony Park is a charming waterfront park located in the town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.


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Summary

The park is situated on the picturesque Roanoke Sound, and offers visitors a wide range of activities to enjoy.

One of the main reasons to visit Bay Colony Park is for its stunning natural beauty. The park features a large beach area where visitors can swim, sunbathe, and relax. There are also plenty of opportunities for boating, fishing, and kayaking on the sound.

In addition to its natural attractions, Bay Colony Park also features several specific points of interest worth checking out. The park is home to a number of hiking and biking trails, as well as a playground and picnic area. Visitors can also explore the park's wildlife exhibits, which showcase the native flora and fauna of the area.

Interesting facts about Bay Colony Park include its role as a popular spot for birdwatching, with over 200 bird species having been spotted in the area. The park is also home to a number of historic sites, including the Wright Brothers National Memorial and the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.

The best time of year to visit Bay Colony Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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