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Find the best of both worlds here at a coastal national forest with 159,000 acres of beauty. Croatan is graced with pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps. Numerous campgrounds, recreation areas, picnic areas, and boat launches make it easy to enjoy the land.
The forest is a water-sports enthusiast's dream. It's bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound. A diversity of wildlife here includes wading birds, ospreys, deer, black bears and alligators.
Standout remote lakes include Catfish Lake and Great Lake. Both are ideal for camping, fishing, and non-motorized boating. Great Lake is the largest lake in Croatan. It's 6 miles from the highway and far, far away from the chaos of civilization.
Hikers looking for low-traffic trails and primitive camping love
Find the best of both worlds here at a coastal national forest with 159,000 acres of beauty. Croatan is graced with pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps. Numerous campgrounds, recreation areas, picnic areas, and boat launches make it easy to enjoy the land.
The forest is a water-sports enthusiast's dream. It's bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound. A diversity of wildlife here includes wading birds, ospreys, deer, black bears and alligators.
Standout remote lakes include Catfish Lake and Great Lake. Both are ideal for camping, fishing, and non-motorized boating. Great Lake is the largest lake in Croatan. It's 6 miles from the highway and far, far away from the chaos of civilization.
Hikers looking for low-traffic trails and primitive camping love Neusiok Trail. Three lean-tos along the 21-mile trail are free to use.
Island Creek Forest Walk Trail is a 3.7-mile moderately trafficked loop trail that welcomes mountain bikes and dogs.
Part of the 900-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail, The Neusoik Trail meanders over 20 miles from a sandy beach on the Neuse River to a salt marsh on the Newport River. Dispersed camping is available along the sundried trail, which crosses cypress swamps, hardwood ridges, longleaf pine savannah, and shrubby bogs.
You’ll be hooked at Fishers Landing! Known for its river and stream catches, the site is located eight miles south of New Bern on the Neuse River. You’ll find campsites close to vault toilets and drinking water, cabins, dispersed campin', and best of all, abundant picnicking spots.
Cedar Point Campground sits amidst a dynamic landscape. Located near the mouth of the White Oak River, it’s surrounded by a salt marsh and a coastal forest where salt and freshwater convene. It will captivate you as it changes with daily tidal fluctuations, illuminating nature’s beautiful resilience. Once you've had your fill of utter awe, scoot b Read more...
Situated on the Intercoastal Waterway, Oyster Point Campground is the trailhead for the 21-mile Neusiok Trail. The trail ambles through cypress swamps, loblolly pines and vast bogs of thick vegetation. The nearby shallow water boat ramp provides a launching point for paddlers and anglers, while the options for overnighting it in your RV or tent ar Read more...
Curl up beneath the towering pines and hardwoods of Neuse River Campground. When you wake, you can stretch your limbs on the nearby one-mile trail that winds through the trees. Visitors can also take a peaceful stroll on the additional five miles, intended for non-motorized activities.
Looking for a place from which to set sail? With cabins and a dispersed camping area to boot, Catfish Lake offers a small boat ramp to launch you into fun. Cast a line for yellow bullhead, fliars, yellow perch, or black crappie, or take a nap or amidst the divine pine forest.
Wade into Catfish Waterfowl Impoundment. At about 800 acres, the impoundment lies on what was a drained farm back in the day. During the day, you might spot fellow sploshers, including birds, ducks, alligators, otters and deer; at night, dispersed camping makes all your wilderness dreams come true.
Grab your shallow-bottomed boat and your deep-seated friends! Great Lake Boat Launch offers dispersed camping with easy access to the water. Keep a lookout for yellow bullhead, fliars, yellow perch, and black crappie—perfect for your picnic lunch.
Siddie Fields will definitely lure you in with fantastic fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Beach access offers prime picnicking opportunities. And if you really want to get wild, stay the night in the primitive camping area.
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Croatan National Forest
Ever wanted to see a carnivorous Venus flytrap up close and in action? Here's your big chance.
Sat to Sun: Closed
Find the best of both worlds here at a coastal national forest with 159,000 acres of beauty. Croatan is graced with pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps. Numerous campgrounds, recreation areas, picnic areas, and boat launches make it easy to enjoy the land.
The forest is a water-sports enthusiast's dream. It's bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound. A diversity of wildlife here includes wading birds, ospreys, deer, black bears and alligators.
Standout remote lakes include Catfish Lake and Great Lake. Both are ideal for camping, fishing, and non-motorized boating. Great Lake is the largest lake in Croatan. It's 6 miles from the highway and far, far away from the chaos of civilization.
Hikers looking for low-traffic trails and primitive camping loveRead more...
Find the best of both worlds here at a coastal national forest with 159,000 acres of beauty. Croatan is graced with pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps. Numerous campgrounds, recreation areas, picnic areas, and boat launches make it easy to enjoy the land.
The forest is a water-sports enthusiast's dream. It's bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound. A diversity of wildlife here includes wading birds, ospreys, deer, black bears and alligators.
Standout remote lakes include Catfish Lake and Great Lake. Both are ideal for camping, fishing, and non-motorized boating. Great Lake is the largest lake in Croatan. It's 6 miles from the highway and far, far away from the chaos of civilization.
Hikers looking for low-traffic trails and primitive camping love Neusiok Trail. Three lean-tos along the 21-mile trail are free to use.
Island Creek Forest Walk Trail is a 3.7-mile moderately trafficked loop trail that welcomes mountain bikes and dogs.
Activities in the park
9 campgrounds in Croatan National Forest
Part of the 900-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail, The Neusoik Trail meanders over 20 miles from a sandy beach on the Neuse River to a salt marsh on the Newport River. Dispersed camping is available along the sundried trail, which crosses cypress swamps, hardwood ridges, longleaf pine savannah, and shrubby bogs.
You’ll be hooked at Fishers Landing! Known for its river and stream catches, the site is located eight miles south of New Bern on the Neuse River. You’ll find campsites close to vault toilets and drinking water, cabins, dispersed campin', and best of all, abundant picnicking spots.
Cedar Point Campground sits amidst a dynamic landscape. Located near the mouth of the White Oak River, it’s surrounded by a salt marsh and a coastal forest where salt and freshwater convene. It will captivate you as it changes with daily tidal fluctuations, illuminating nature’s beautiful resilience. Once you've had your fill of utter awe, scoot b Read more...
Situated on the Intercoastal Waterway, Oyster Point Campground is the trailhead for the 21-mile Neusiok Trail. The trail ambles through cypress swamps, loblolly pines and vast bogs of thick vegetation. The nearby shallow water boat ramp provides a launching point for paddlers and anglers, while the options for overnighting it in your RV or tent ar Read more...
Curl up beneath the towering pines and hardwoods of Neuse River Campground. When you wake, you can stretch your limbs on the nearby one-mile trail that winds through the trees. Visitors can also take a peaceful stroll on the additional five miles, intended for non-motorized activities.
Looking for a place from which to set sail? With cabins and a dispersed camping area to boot, Catfish Lake offers a small boat ramp to launch you into fun. Cast a line for yellow bullhead, fliars, yellow perch, or black crappie, or take a nap or amidst the divine pine forest.
Wade into Catfish Waterfowl Impoundment. At about 800 acres, the impoundment lies on what was a drained farm back in the day. During the day, you might spot fellow sploshers, including birds, ducks, alligators, otters and deer; at night, dispersed camping makes all your wilderness dreams come true.
Grab your shallow-bottomed boat and your deep-seated friends! Great Lake Boat Launch offers dispersed camping with easy access to the water. Keep a lookout for yellow bullhead, fliars, yellow perch, and black crappie—perfect for your picnic lunch.
Siddie Fields will definitely lure you in with fantastic fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Beach access offers prime picnicking opportunities. And if you really want to get wild, stay the night in the primitive camping area.
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