Roanoke Island Marshes Game Land

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Last Updated: December 25, 2025

Roanoke Island Marshes Game Land is a wildlife conservation area located in the state of North Carolina.


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Summary

The game land is spread across 2,600 acres and is home to a variety of plant and animal species. The area offers several reasons to visit, such as fishing, hiking, and bird watching.

Some specific points of interest in the Roanoke Island Marshes Game Land include the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, and the Roanoke Island Aquarium. The game land is also home to several species of animals, including black bears, red wolves, and bobcats. Visitors can also spot various bird species such as herons, egrets, and bald eagles.

Interesting facts about the Roanoke Island Marshes Game Land include the fact that it is one of the largest in the state, and it was established in 2007. The area is also home to several rare plant species, including the Venus flytrap and pitcher plants.

The best time of year to visit the Roanoke Island Marshes Game Land is during the fall and winter months when the weather is mild, and the wildlife is more active. Visitors can also avoid the crowds during this time and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

       

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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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