National Park Service Headquarters Info, North Carolina

Located on Hatteras Island on North Carolina's Outer Banks, Buxton offers both ocean and sound, the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and many opportunities to relax and enjoy this spectacular location.

Named for the sheer numbers of waterfowl that once flocked here during migratory seasons, Duck has experienced exponential growth over the past ten years. Duck is a thriving year-round town as well as vacation destination. Characterized by quaint boutiques, fine dining, and a variety of water sports both on the sound and in the ocean, Duck is rapidly becoming one of the most popular beach destinations in the country.

Wind and water shape the island's dunes and inlets, and yet a maritime forest at Buxton provides a calm oasis. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, tallest in the nation, was nearly claimed by the Atlantic Ocean but was rescued in the nick of time in 1999 by moving the entire structure away from the sea. But perhaps most importantly is the fact that Hatteras Island is one of the last places on earth where you can go on the Fourth of July weekend and stake out a stretch of beach to call your very own.

Kill Devil Hills is the Outer Banks' oldest township, established in 1952. But the landmark that lends the town its distinctive name has been around much longer. At one time, the northern Outer Banks was characterized by a series of sand mountains over 100 feet high. These dunes stretched from sound to sea, from Corolla south to Nags Head. Kill Devil Hill was one of the larger of the dunes, and stories about how the monolith got its name are varied and colorful; the generally accepted one is that it is named for ''Kill Devil,'' a brand of rum found washed ashore during the colonial period.

The Town of Manteo wraps around Shallowbag Bay on the eastern side of Roanoke Island, part of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Named the seat of government for Dare County in 1870, this waterfront community incorporated in 1899.

When many people refer to the Outer Banks, they use the term ''Nags Head'' to generically describe the area. The truth of the matter is that Nags Head was first a physical location on a map, then a township, and finally, the most recognizable of all the northern Outer Banks vacation destinations.

Located at the southernmost tip of North Carolina's Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and boasts almost 16 miles of pristine, undeveloped beaches. Accessible only by Ferry, private boat or plane, Ocracoke is a oasis for the family, casual tourist, nature lover, fisherman, or recreational boater.

Rodanthe, located in Dare County, Washington United States offers travelers raw beauty with its spacious and unspoiled beaches, sand dunes and lush flora and fauna.

Lake Mattamuskeet is the largest natural lake in North Carolina. It is a shallow coastal lake, averaging 2-3 feet in depth, and stretches 18 miles (29 km) long and 7 miles (11 km) wide. Lake Mattamuskeet lies on the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula.

Kitty Hawk is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,991 at the 2000 census. It was established in the early 1700s as Chickahawk.

Oregon Inlet is an inlet along North Carolina's Outer Banks. It joins the Pamlico Sound with the Atlantic Ocean and separates Bodie Island from Pea Island, which are connected by a 2.5 mile bridge that spans the inlet.

Frisco is a small unincorporated community on the barrier island of Hatteras Island, between the villages of Buxton and Hatteras. It is located in Dare County, North Carolina, USA.