Hyde County Lodges, established in 2012, is owned by a third-generation commercial fishing family with a long-standing involvement in the seafood industry. Nestled on the shores of the Pamlico Sound, the lodges provide an ideal accommodation for hunting, fishing, bird watching, photography, kayaking, hiking, and other outdoor activities. With convenient access to a boat ramp, dock, and fishing pier, the lodges offer everything you need for a memorable stay. Two bedrooms and comfortably sleep five guests, each lodge is fully furnished and equipped with a well-stocked kitchen including a dishwasher and microwave. Please note that there is a minimum two-night stay requirement, and during Memorial Day and July 4th, a three-day minimum stay applies.
Located just 15 miles away from Hyde County Lodges, the renowned Mattamuskeet Refuge offers exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. With its vast wetlands and marshes, the refuge attracts a diverse range of waterfowl species, providing a thrilling experience for hunters. An experienced fowler may have the chance to harvest trophy birds such as tundra swans, green-winged teal, gadwall, black duck, ring-necked duck, and ruddy duck. The refuge’s expansive Lake Mattamuskeet, covering 40,000 acres, is a prime location for waterfowl hunting, and the surrounding area offers quality public hunting for white-tailed deer. Hunting at Mattamuskeet Refuge requires permits.
For a truly exceptional waterfowl hunting adventure, many local guides offer guided duck, goose, and swan hunts in the surrounding area. There are nearly 70 blinds across 15 impoundments encompassing 3,000+ acres of flooded waterfowl habitat. Typically, these guided hunts take place in flooded grain fields or managed moist soil impoundments near Lake Mattamuskeet and target pintail, wigeon, teal, ringneck, black ducks, mallards, wood ducks, shovelers, and gadwall. The area is also renowned for its tundra swan hunts, as it is home to the largest wintering population of tundra swans in the world.
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, located just miles from the lodge, offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge contains approximately 160,000 acres, most of which are open to hunting. There are more than 150 miles of old logging roads that provide hunting access, some for vehicles and some on foot. The refuge is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, red wolves, alligators, white-tailed deer, otters, and a wide variety of bird species. Visitors can explore the refuge’s trails and observation points to observe and photograph these fascinating creatures in their natural habitats. The Refuge is also haven for birdwatching enthusiasts. The refuge is part of the Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which is recognized as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Visitors can spot a variety of migratory and resident bird species, including waterfowl, wading birds, raptors, and songbirds.
The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge also features a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. One popular trail is the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail, a 1.5-mile loop that showcases diverse habitats and allows for wildlife observation. The Milltail Creek and Great Woodland Adventure Trails, totaling approximately 3 miles, offer a scenic hike through forests and wetlands, providing opportunities to spot deer, turtles, and birds. The Charles Kuralt Trail, named after the renowned journalist, is a 0.5-mile path through a maritime forest, offering insights into the refuge’s natural and cultural history. Additionally, visitors can enjoy walking or biking along Buffalo City Road, a gravel road that stretches through the refuge’s wilderness. Before heading out, it’s recommended to check with the refuge office or visitor center for trail conditions and obtain updated maps.
The Pamlico Sound is a vast space (80 miles long, and 20 miles wide) of shallow waters ripe for fishing. These waters are shallow, like elsewhere in the Outer Banks, but here you can find deeper holes where schools of fish hide. You can return home with limits of Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Rockfish. The best of action takes place during the summer months, when Tarpon swarm the area, looking for Blue Crabs. You will find them around the murky waters where river tributaries flow into the brackish waters of the sound’s main basin.