Take a Walk on the Wild Side.
Follow ¾ of a mile of waterfront, woodland and wetlands and discover the birds, plants, wildlife and maritime history hiding in plain sight at Gallants Channel.
There is more to Gallants Channel than meets the eye.
Today you’ll find pine forest, salt marsh, wetlands, native plants, songbirds and waterfront habitat throughout Gallants Channel.
But the landscape has a surprising past. In the 1950s and 1960s, this entire tract was part of the Harvey Smith Fishmeal Plant. Nearly all of the forest you see today has grown since the plant closed in the 1980s.
That means every part of the trail tells two stories at once: the story of the natural coast and the story of the people who worked along these waters.
What Do You Want to Discover?
Click a category to explore the stories, wildlife and surprises you’ll find along the trail.
Painted Bunting
One of the trail’s most colorful visitors can be found near the elevated observation platform northeast of Leg 2.
Night Heron Rookery
The wetland beside Leg 3 has served as a Night Heron rookery for more than 30 years.
Snapping Turtles
Snapping turtles are sometimes spotted in the pond beside the trail near the Night Heron rookery.
Salt Marsh Nursery
The marsh along Gallants Channel isn’t just pretty scenery. Salt marshes provide critical nursery habitat for shellfish and finfish.
Live Oak
Live Oak’s naturally curved and exceptionally strong limbs made the tree especially valuable for framing wooden ships.
Wax Myrtle
Its waxy berries were used to make fragrant candles, while fishermen once used leafy branches to help keep flies off their catch.
The Fishmeal Plant
It’s difficult to imagine today, but much of this wooded, natural property was once the Harvey Smith Fishmeal Plant.
Old Ship Railways
Remnants of ship railways used to build and maintain vessels engaged in the Menhaden fishery can still be seen near the trail.
1,200-Foot Boardwalk
The final leg follows an elevated boardwalk through the area that once formed the heart of the fishmeal operation.
Scan the Shoreline
Gulls, herons, egrets, terns, pelicans, black skimmers and oystercatchers are among the birds you may spot along Gallants Channel.
Yaupon Holly
This native coastal evergreen produces bright red berries enjoyed by songbirds. Its young leaves were also historically brewed into a caffeinated tea.
Young Sailors on Town Creek
During the summer, stop near the pavilion and you may see Junior Sailing students learning on Town Creek.
Explore the Trail, One Section at a Time
Click each leg to see what makes that stretch of the trail different.
Waterfront & Wooded Ridge
Begin near the Outdoor Classroom and follow the northwest shoreline overlooking Gallants Channel.
- Salt marsh habitat
- Shore and wading birds
- Newport River views
- Live Oak, Red Cedar and Wax Myrtle
- Second-growth forest
Loblolly Pine Forest
Leg 2 crosses level pine forest and passes an old drainage ditch that once extended roughly half a mile from the Newport River.
- Loblolly Pine forest
- Observation platform
- Painted Bunting habitat
- Live Oak
- Red Cedar
- Yaupon and Wax Myrtle
Wetlands & Wildlife
Beginning near Gate 3, the trail passes Carolina Willow wetlands before winding toward the waterfront.
- Night Heron rookery
- Carolina Willow wetlands
- Snapping turtle sightings
- Waterfront pavilion
- Town Creek views
Waterfront Boardwalk
The trail finishes along approximately 1,200 feet of elevated waterfront boardwalk.
- Protected intertidal habitat
- Fish and crab nursery areas
- Fishmeal Plant history
- Remnants of historic ship railways
- Wide waterfront views
Four Legs. One Waterfront Adventure.
The Nature Trail loops around the Gallants Channel property, connecting forest, wetlands, open space and waterfront habitat.
What Might You Spot Today?
Pick a category before you head out and we’ll give you something to look for along the trail.
A Few Trail Tips
Gallants Channel is a natural coastal environment. A little preparation makes the walk much more enjoyable.
Preserving More Than Artifacts.
The Gallants Channel Nature Trail helps visitors experience the maritime history, culture and natural environment of coastal North Carolina — all in one place.