Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

East Lake, NC

Located 40 minutes west of the Outer Banks, this is where I saw my first bear in the wild. Well, technically I saw the first one climbing over a guard rail on a main road that leads to the refuge! The refuge is also home to the elusive red wolf and its namesake the American alligator. Visit just before sunrise or sunset to increase your chances of seeing a bear. And the barred owls are very comfortable with photographers.