Southern Shores
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“A shaded, residential beach community where maritime forest meets wide, uncrowded sand.”
A shaded, residential beach community where maritime forest meets wide, uncrowded sand. The streets are quiet, the lots are large and wooded, and the pace is set by bike rides and beach walks rather than restaurant reservations or shopping trips. About 60% of residents are full-time retirees, which gives the town a settled, year-round character that most OBX vacation areas lack.
Southern Shores is where people come when they want the OBX beach vacation without the OBX crowds. The town sits in a maritime forest — live oaks and loblolly pines shade the streets and driveways, and the neighborhoods feel more like a wooded coastal community than a beach resort. Renters get private beach access with seasonal lifeguards, and even in July, you'll have room to spread out. Repeat visitors talk about the quiet — the sound of bikes on the path instead of traffic, the ritual morning walk to the beach through the dunes, and how the biggest decision of the day is whether to kayak the sound or read on the deck. Some families have been renting here for 30+ years. It's five minutes from Duck's restaurants and shops, five minutes from Kitty Hawk's grocery stores, but it feels like its own world.
What you'll remember
A Typical Day
Families who want a quiet, low-key beach week where kids can safely bike the neighborhood, play at the parks, and have uncrowded beach days — the kind of place where you don't lock the bikes and neighbors wave from the porch. Also excellent for couples and multi-generational groups who want proximity to Duck's dining scene and Kitty Hawk's shopping without the busier tourist atmosphere. If your ideal vacation day is beach in the morning, bike ride after lunch, kayak at sunset, and grilling on the deck while the kids catch fireflies in the yard — this is the spot.
You'll drive to almost everything — there's no walkable town center, and in-town dining is limited to a handful of pizza places and Steamers. Beach access requires a permit or rental company decal, which confuses first-timers used to public beaches. Saturday turnover traffic backs up on the Wright Memorial Bridge — cross before 10 AM.
Rental Pricing Guide
Median weekly · Peak summer (Jun–Aug)Full Scorecard
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Things to Do
Before You Go
Maritime Forest Bike Trail Guide
Southern Shores has 11+ miles of paved, shady bike paths winding through maritime forest — the best trail network on the northern OBX.
The Trail Network
Southern Shores' multi-use path system connects neighborhoods, beach accesses, and the town's commercial area through canopied maritime forest. The paths are flat, paved (asphalt and concrete), and shaded by live oaks and cedars — a genuine rarity on the sun-blasted Outer Banks. The network links south to Kitty Hawk and north to Duck's 6-mile trail, giving you roughly 10-11 miles of connected riding if you go end to end.
Key Trail Segments
The network has several named segments that connect into a continuous route. The David Paul Pruitt Jr. Multi-Use Trail (2 miles, asphalt) is the main spine, running through maritime woods and wetlands and connecting two parks. It links to the Twiford Street Multi-Use Path (0.9 miles), which passes homes, streams, and wetland areas. The Wright Brothers Multi-Use Path (0.5 miles, concrete) faces Kitty Hawk Bay with uninterrupted water views. Heading north, the Duck Trail (6 miles, asphalt/concrete) continues through the town of Duck past restaurants, shops, and the Duck Town Park.
Bike Rentals & Logistics
If you didn't bring bikes, several rental companies deliver to your rental house. Ocean Atlantic Rentals and Kitty Hawk Kites both offer weekly cruiser rentals with delivery. Most vacation rental homes have a garage or covered area for bike storage. The paths have no dedicated parking lots at trailheads, but you can park at the Southern Shores Municipal Complex (south end) or Duck Town Park (north end) to access the network.
Pick up a free trail map at Town Hall or the Aycock Brown Welcome Center.
Southern Shores Walkways & Trails Map →Private Beach Access: How It Works
Southern Shores has no public beach access — all walkovers are private for residents and rental guests. Here's how to find your access point and what to expect.
Why It's Different Here
Unlike most OBX towns, Southern Shores has zero public beach access points. There are no public parking lots drawing day-trippers to the sand. Every walkover is controlled by the town, a civic association, or a property owners' group. If you're renting a vacation home, you're covered — your rental property includes access. But you need to know which walkover to use and whether you need a parking permit.
The 5 Beach Access Points
Southern Shores has five neighborhood beach access areas spread across its 4-mile oceanfront. Two have larger parking areas with permit requirements; three have limited town-controlled parking. All five have seasonal lifeguards from Memorial Day through September.
Parking Permits
The two larger beach access lots — Hillcrest Drive and Chicahauk Trail — require permits from their respective associations. Property owners can get up to 2 permits from the town at no charge (requires proof of ownership at Town Hall). Vacation renters typically receive parking decals or access info from their rental management company. If your rental company doesn't provide one, contact them directly — don't just show up and hope for the best. The town only has 135 total beach access parking spaces, so permits are limited.
Beach Rules
Southern Shores beaches are well-maintained and have a few rules that keep them that way. No vehicles on the beach, no bonfires, and dogs have restricted hours in summer. The sand was last nourished in November 2022; a maintenance project has been discussed for 2027 but has not been formally approved — the Town Council is expected to decide by mid-2026.
Download the town's beach access parking brochure with map for walkover locations.
Beach Access Parking Map (PDF) →Photos
