The history of East Lake is deeply rooted in the agricultural and natural landscape of mainland Dare County. Long before modern development reached the Outer Banks, this area was settled by families who relied on the rich, fertile soils surrounding the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula. Farming, timbering, and fishing shaped daily life, with generations working the land and nearby waters for their livelihood. The community’s proximity to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge reflects its longstanding connection to the region’s vast wetlands and diverse ecosystems, which have played a central role in both its economy and way of life for centuries.

East Lake Community Building

Address:

16674 U.S. Highway 64
East Lake, NC 27953

Contact:
Rosemarie Doshier | 252-475-3996 | Rosemarie@TheDoshierTeam.com

East Lake Community Center Board Members:
Rosemarie Doshier, chair
Crystal Basnight, member

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge 

Image courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The community of East Lake is centrally located on the Dare County mainland. The community is bordered to the west by the expansive Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, a 156,000-acre habitat established in 1984 to protect pocosin wetlands.

It is renowned for large black bear populations, endangered red wolves, and paddling trails, offering year-round hiking, photography, and wildlife observation opportunities.

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead of time and stop by the National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at the north end of Roanoke Island to view exhibits and a detailed map.

For more information, visit FWS.gov/Refuge/Alligator-River.

Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department

Address:
6657 U.S. Highway 64
Manns Harbor, NC  27953

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 165, Manns Harbor, NC, 27953

Contact:
Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department Chief Craig Burgess
252.423.3046 | info@mannsharborfd.com

The Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department—which is located next to Dare County EMS Station 8 in Manns Harbor—is dedicated to providing fire and emergency services to the entire Dare County mainland, including East Lake.

As a volunteer-based organization, members of the Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department generously contribute their time and skills to ensure the safety and well-being of local residents.

Click here to view the Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page.

Dare County EMS Station 8 - Manns Harbor

Address:
6677 U.S. Hwy. 64
Manns Harbor, NC  27953

Dare County EMS Station 8 is primarily responsible for serving the entire Dare County mainland, which includes the villages of Manns Harbor, Mashoes, Stumpy Point and East Lake.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff are stationed at eight facilities throughout Dare County. The public is welcome to stop by any EMS station for a free routine blood pressure or glucose check. The duty crew will be happy to help unless they are out of the building responding to a call.

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY – DIAL 911 instead of attempting to make the trip to an EMS station.

Manns Harbor Transfer Station (Dare County Public Works)

Address:
1603 Cub Road
Manns Harbor, NC 27953

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Contact:
Landfill & Transfer Supervisor Jonathan DeWeese
252.475.5888 | Jonathan.Deweese@DareNC.gov

The Manns Harbor Transfer station allows Dare County residents and commercial businesses to drop off building materials and white goods. This location also provides local residents a place where they can drop off appliances, metals, home furnishings and auto tires. There is a truck scale weigh-in station where residents and commercial builders can have waste weighed prior to disposal at the appropriate sites. The first 500 pounds is free for residential customers, and the rest is prorated at $68.96 per ton. 

DISPOSAL OF CAMPERS

• Whole campers will not be accepted.
• Must be demolished and metals must be separated from construction debris. No exceptions.
• No assistance will be provided in unloading the camper.

DISPOSAL OF VESSELS

• All boat owners must call the landfill prior to arrival to make arrangements for disposal of the vessel.
• Smaller vessels may be accepted whole if all fuel tanks, engines, holding tanks and other metals have been removed.
• Larger vessels may require an appointment if deemed necessary by management.
• No assistance will be provided in unloading the vessel.

Manns Harbor Trails & Recreational Opportunities 

To access a map of recreational opportunities, including public fishing docks, walking trails, parks and kayak launches, visit www.Play.DareCountyNC.gov where you can utilize the Dare County Geographical Information System (GIS) Recreation Map. 

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Parks & Recreation Opportunities:

The Roanoke Island/Mainland Division office of the Dare County Parks & Recreation Department is located in the Lions Club Center at Westcott Park in Manteo. A variety of programs are offered for the citizens of mainland Dare County. To view the latest newsletter containing upcoming Roanoke Island/Mainland Division activities and programs, click here.

The Dare County Public Works Department provides trash collection in East Lake, and a sanitation fee is charged on property tax bills sent to property owners annually.

Do you want to receive a notification when collection service is delayed or cancelled due to a holiday or inclement weather? Sign up for Dare County email and/or text notifications at DareNC.gov/Subscribe.

Need a new trash can or a replacement part? Residents and property owners whose homes are located within the unincorporated areas of Dare County can purchase a trash can at Dare County Public Works, which is located at 1018 Driftwood Drive in Manteo. The cost for a trash can is $85.40 if you pick it up at Dare County Public Works or $96.08 if it is delivered to your home. To place an order for a new can or a replacement part, please call the Dare County Public Works Department at 252-475-5895.

Being located adjacent to such a large national wildlife refuge, residents of East Lake are encouraged to buy a bear-resistant trash can from the Dare County Public Works Department. To place an order for a new can or a replacement part, please call the Dare County Public Works Department at 252-475-5895.

Living adjacent to the national wildlife refuge, it is important to note that properly disposing of trash is helpful in discouraging racoons, bobcats, red wolves and even alligators from becoming a nuisance.

For helpful tips on living responsibly with bears, please visit BearWise.org.

Parks & Recreation Opportunities:

The Roanoke Island/Mainland Division office of the Dare County Parks & Recreation Department is located in the Lions Club Center at Westcott Park in Manteo. A variety of programs are offered for the citizens of East Lake, Manns Harbor, Mashoes, Manteo and Wanchese. To view the latest newsletter containing upcoming Roanoke Island/Mainland Division activities and programs, click here.

To access a map of recreational opportunities, including public fishing docks, walking trails, parks and kayak launches, visit www.Play.DareCountyNC.gov to utilize the Dare County Geographical Information System (GIS) Recreation Map. 

Building permits must be obtained from the appropriate inspection office for the geographical location of the construction project. Sub-permits for mechanical, plumbing or electrical work may be obtained at any of the offices regardless of the construction location. For more information about building permits and inspections in Dare County, click here.

Contact:
Keil Twiford, Dare County Building Inspector
252.475.5867  |  Keil.Twiford@DareNC.gov 
(Serving unincorporated portions of Roanoke Island, including Wanchese and the mainland areas of Dare County encompassing East Lake, Manns Harbor, Mashoes and Stumpy Point.)

The Outer Banks SPCA operates the Dare County Animal Shelter (378 Airport Road in Manteo, NC), an open admission animal shelter serving all of Dare County. The shelter receives approximately 1,500 animals a year, including many strays. In addition to filing a lost report, we strongly recommend you visit the shelter in person to check for any missing pets.

Click here to view the Dare County, NC Code of Ordinances- Chapter 91: Animals.

Contact:
OBX SPCA Shelter Manager
252-475-5620  |  info@obxspca.org

East Lake is qualified as District 4. As of January 2026, the Dare County tax rate is $0.2632 and the sanitation rate is $0.0842 for a total tax rate of $0.3474.

You can pay your Dare County real estate taxes via mail, phone, online or in person. Learn more by visiting DareNC.gov/Tax.

Looking for information about your personal property taxes? Click here. 

Dare County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners that conducts public meetings throughout the year on a regularly scheduled basis.

Meetings are generally held on the first Monday of the month at 9 a.m. (This schedule is occasionally adjusted to accommodate holidays). Meetings are held within the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting room at the Dare County Administration Building, which is located at 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo.

To view the names, contact information and biographies for the current Dare County Board of Commissioners, please click here.

On Election Day, the East Lake polling precinct will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the East Lake Community Building (16674 U.S. Highway 64, East Lake, NC).

Click here to learn more about Dare County Elections.

“Safe and sane” fireworks are the only types of fireworks that are allowed in North Carolina. These devices include caps, snakes and glow worms, smoke devices, trick noise-makers, snappers, sparklers and other sparkling devices, such as fountains, which do not leave the ground.

Any firework devices that leave the ground and have a report or make a "bang" are illegal in North Carolina. Examples of these illegal fireworks include bottle rockets, mortars, roman candles, firecrackers and M80s. Violators of North Carolina's fireworks law face a class two misdemeanor charge that is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment of up to six months.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that fireworks caused an estimated 31,302 fires in 2022, including 3,504 structure fires, 887 vehicle fires, 26,492 outside fires, and 418 unclassified fires. These fires caused an estimated six civilian deaths, 44 civilian injuries and $109M in direct property damage. 

Please protect our beloved area by refraining from using illegal fireworks.

Tideland Electric Membership Corporation
(800)637-1079
Report an outage: (800)882-1001 or text OUT to 85700

Dominion Energy
866-366-4357
Report an outage.