Waterfall Hero Hikes: Croatan National Forest

Croatan National Forest is one of four National Forests in North Carolina and the only truly coastal forest in the eastern United States. As a coastal forest, Croatan is surrounded on three sides by water - the Neuse River, the White Oak River and Bogue Sound. The total area of the forest is just under 160,000 acres. The forest was established in 1936 and is administered by the National Forest Service, a part of the US Department of Agriculture. The forest is located in Cartaret, Craven, and Jones Counties.

Contact Information:

141 E. Fisher Avenue

New Bern, NC 28560

Phone: (252) 638-5628

Map:

Areas:

Cedar Point Recreation Area:

Cedar Point Recreation Area is located on the mouth of the White Oak River in the southwestern corner of the forest.

Patsy Pond:

Patsy Pond Nature Trail, managed by the NC Coastal Federation, runs through a longleaf pine flatwoods area in the forest.

Trails:

Neusiok Trail:

The Neusiok Trail, part of the statewide Mountains-to-Sea Trail is the premier hiking trail in eastern North Carolina. The 20 mile trail runs through eastern end of the forest from the Neuse River to the Newport River.

Patsy Pond Nature Trail:

Patsy Pond Nature Trail consists of three loop trails through a longleaf pine flatwoods area past several small groundwater interception ponds.

Tideland National Recreation Trail:

Tideland National Recreation Trail in Cedar Point Recreation Area is a double loop through forest and over salt marshes at the mouth of White Oak River.

Weetock Trail:

The Weetock Trail is not much of a trail, more of a general route that requires extensive extensive bushwhacking! The US Forest Service re-routed the trail in 2007, which is one reason it can be difficult to follow. However, if you don't mind a little bushwhacking and getting a little bit lost, it can be a very fun trail.

WARNING: The trail is extremely difficult to find, so it is strongly advised to have a guide who has walked the trail before. Since blazes can be scarce in some areas, it is also advisable to have a GPS with the route loaded to follow.

The trail starts on NC-58 in Stella across the street from the Davis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The trail leads west through the woods along low bluffs near Hunters Creek and a giant sawdust pile. The trail then proceeds north parallel to the White Oak River for a ways and finally leads to Haywood Landing.

Camping:

Dispersed Camping:

Dispersed camping is allowed in the forest, though the number of suitable spots are few due to thick vegetation. There are three shelters along the Neusiok Trail for backpack camping.

Oyster Point:

Oyster Point Campground is located in the southeast of the forest near the town of Newport along the Newport River. It is the least developed campground in the forest with vault toilets and no showers. Great views of the river in the morning from here.