Cape Lookout National Seashore | WILLOW POND LOOP TRAIL

Willow Pond near the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center on Harkers Island

Willow Pond near the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center on Harkers Island

Length: .5 miles from the Visitor Center, .3 mile loop from trail parking area
Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy, flat

The Willow Pond Trail is a worthwhile nature trail at Cape Lookout National Seashore, particularly for wildlife photographers. You can get to it from the Visitor Center at Harkers Island or drive next door to the Core Sound Museum (not part of the National Seashore) and park right next to the trailhead. The trail itself is on park property. Starting at the Visitor Center adds an extra .2 mile to the hike. If you are standing in the parking lot and facing the building, look left into the forest and you will see a sign pointing the way to the start off the trail.

Harkers Island Visitor Center trailhead for the Willow Pond Trail, Cape Lookout National Seashore

Harkers Island Visitor Center trailhead for the Willow Pond Trail, Cape Lookout National Seashore

From the Visitor Center, it is a very short walk to the main entrance road and parking lot for the Core Sound Museum. Cross the road and stay straight (a sign also points the way) and soon you will be at the official Willow Pond Trail trailhead. If you want to skip the extra walk, just drive to the museum and park close to the trail.

From the Core Sound Museum parking area, the trail is a mere .3-mile long loop. The selling point of the hike is Willow Pond, which is near the halfway point. When you approach it you will be in what I would call a swamp, for I’ve seen similar in the Louisiana Bayous. I’m not sure what they call it here, but you’ll find trees growing in the water that is covered in a green algae. Frogs hightail it when you approach, and you’ll actually see some huge ones jump into the water, often sounding like somebody just threw a rock into the swamp.

Swamp around the Willow Pond on Harkers Island is loaded with frogs, Cape Lookout National Seashore

Swamp around the Willow Pond on Harkers Island is loaded with frogs, Cape Lookout National Seashore

The neat thing about the trail is that it has what is essentially a giant duck blind. You can go inside to watch birds but they can’t see you. Openings in the walls on all sides allow photographers to take pictures.

Bird at Willow Pond on Harkers Island, Cape Lookout National Seashore

Bird at Willow Pond on Harkers Island, Cape Lookout National Seashore

If you are hiking the trail in the summer months, you will be eaten alive by mosquitoes, so put on repellent before leaving (I did not and learned the hard way). Oddly enough, the mosquitoes were absent from the duck blind building. I’m not sure if the wood has been sprayed with something or if the mosquitoes just don’t like the wood. There are holes in the walls, so they can get in if they want to.

The trail is flat and easy. It is a simple loop and you can’t get lost. The most difficult thing is finding the starting point.

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Last updated on March 26, 2024
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