West end of the Open Ponds Trail on Hatteras Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Length: 4.5 miles, one way
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

The Open Ponds Trail at Cape Hatteras National Seashore is an out-and-back trail with one trailhead located at the very back of the Frisco Campground and the other at the British Cemetery, which is near the Hatteras Island Visitor Center. At the campground there is no place to park other than at an empty campsite, which is not allowed under most circumstances, particularly if the campground is busy. There are two small parking lots on the beach side of the campground, but again, on a busy day these will probably be taken up by people going to the beach, plus they are a good hike themselves from the trailhead. Therefore, unless you are camping at Frisco, the best place to start the hike is at the small parking area at the British Cemetery.

East end trailhead of the Open Ponds Trail on Hatteras Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Not having a ride to pick me up at the end of the trail, I was unable (alright, unwilling) to hike the Open Ponds Trail to the end, though I did hike two miles in from the Frisco Campground (I was camping at Frisco). That alone was a 4-mile round trip hike. I wasn’t going for a 9-mile hike only to see the same thing twice.

From the campground the trail follows an old service road until it comes to a defunct water tower just short of a mile into the hike. From there it becomes very sandy and very hilly. It is extremely slow going, for you might as will be hiking in the deep sand on a beach. I have no idea how long this sandy section continues other than to say that when I stopped at the two-mile point it was still sand…and it is fairly miserable hiking on it. Adding to the misery, in the summertime there are plenty of mosquitoes, so be sure to spray yourself with repellent.

West side of Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Open Ponds Trail begins as a sandy service

Water tower on the Open Ponds Trail on Hatteras Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Deep sand makes up much of the Open Ponds Trail on Hatteras Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

There is one point of confusion if you are hiking from the campground. You will come to a hill with trails leading in three directions. Take the one to the left. I made this choice only because I saw a trail sign little farther down, and this was the correct way to go.

If starting a hike on Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Open Ponds Trail at the Frisco Campground, stay left at this intersection

Uphill climb in sand on the Open Ponds Trail on Hatteras Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

From that point on, the trail was straightforward with no confusing intersections or side trails, but I can’t speak for the 2.5 miles that I did not hike. I would highly suggest having a ride awaiting you at the end if you are going to hike the Open Ponds Trail in its entirely. I can say with certainty, you don’t want to hike the trail twice.

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