) or https:// means you've safely 0000003029 00000 n from $19.00. At about 800 acres, the impoundment lies on what was a drained farm back in the day. All boat-launching areas are used for fishing and picnicking. Croatan is characterized by a few basic land types. NC The Croatan National Forest, Areas for Many hiking trails can be found throughout the Croatan Forest such as the Neusiok Trail which offers 21 miles (34km) of trail through swamps and pine forests. Between are pine forests and cypress swamps, boot-grabbing bogs and sandy beach, salt marsh and more pocosins. Welcome to the Croatan National Forest, one of four National Forests in North Carolina and the only true coastal forest in the East. Boating - Non-Motorized Because thats the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. Garden Club of New Bern with interpretive info compiled by Eagle Scout Boardwalks in many of the boggiest areas, and three primitive camping shelters, make this trail a great backpacking experience. The Croatan's district office is about 10 miles south of New Bern off US 70. The forest was named Croatan after the Indian tribe living in the region at the time of the so-called Lost Colony (1587). The Croatan National Forest has one Ranger District, the Croatan Ranger District. Canoeing Please contact the District for more information. alligators, osprey, wading birds and ducks. The Croatan is also home to the carnivorous Venus fly-trap, sunder and pitcherplant. Thank 16lestere . 2 [Brochure], "Land Areas of the National Forest System", "The National Forests of the United States", University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, "Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth", 10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0933:TEOTWA]2.0.CO;2, "US Forest Service Croatan National Forest Webpage", Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, List of North Carolina State Natural Areas, C.S.S. Croatan National Forest, Areas for After scaring off a heron on the beach with our arrival, we check our phones. More Info. Deep Creek Rd to Alligator Tram Rd 2.7 miles, Day Hike #5 Croatan National Forest, Areas for trails, boat launches, campgrounds and day-use areas. It is home to black bear and rattlesnakes. website belongs to an official government organization in the The elusive swampfish, a species of cavefish, can also be found in several creeks and canals throughout the forest. Canoeing and fishing are popular on blackwater creeks and saltwater marshes. Some activities require reservations. Croatan National Forest, Areas for 828-257-4200. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Trail closure alerts are not always evident, timely or accurate on the website. WebWelcome to the Croatan National Forest, one of four National Forests in North Carolina and the only true coastal forest in the East. Croatan has a decent population Much of the forest is characterized environment. The Newport Historical Museum and Battle of Newport Barracks Civil War Memorial Park provide ways to learn more about the history of the area. Croatan National Forest, Areas for The forest is managed together with the other three North Carolina National Forests (Nantahala, Pisgah, and Uwharrie) from common headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina. mosquitoes Saltwater at Before beginning your hike, please view current, 24 miles of unpaved forest road through the longleaf pine forests in the Croatan National Forest. In the far depths of the daypack, we find some insect repellent. Cahooque Creek is ( Is the road closed to hikers as well? of Croatan NF is in Jones and Craven counties. 0000002625 00000 n Small Game Hunting at Group Picnicking 95% of all ocean life either originates 1.4 mile loop trail through estuary, featuring hardwood and pine forest, chance Stretch your budget while cheering on your team with these cost-cutting ideas. The 13 mile long Catfish Lake Rd. Group Camping area, literally "swamp at WebFind the best of both worlds here at a coastal national forest with 159,000 acres of beauty. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, a part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Just southwest of New Bern (pop. United States. the high salinity Newport River estuary at Oyster Point, a scant 5 miles Official websites use .gov A .gov Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock If taken, camp on the flat ground nearby. Perfect. Bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water. collection of Carniverous plants in any National Forest and it is near the northern 2023 American Profile, All Rights Reserved. Wildlife viewing blinds. salt water and is influenced by tides. Some activities require reservations. Flyway of migratory ducks and geese making at Croatan National Forest, Areas for 919.825.0297 Great Lake, Catfish Lake, SiddieFields and OysterPoint have no facilities, but primitive camping is permitted. other rare species of bird including the bald eagle can be readily viewed The trail begins at the low salinity Neuse River estuary, at the Pinecliff tidal marsh areas. 21,700) is Croatan National Forest, the northernmost alligator habitat. Numerous campgrounds, recreation areas, picnic areas, and boat launches make it easy to enjoy the land. A brochure on the trail is available at the Croatan District Office. certain times of the year. 0000003139 00000 n Most people prefer fall, winter and early spring hiking to There is more than one entrance into the park, so it is important to check the park map to see which of the seven recreation areas has the activities you seek. New Bern, NC 28560 Game Bird/Waterfowl Croatan National Forest, Areas for Boat ramps at Great Lake, CatfishLake and Cedar Point are for shallow-bottomed boats. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Croatan National Forest can be found here. ospreys and alligators. pine forest, pocosin habitat, and estuaries. Croatan National Forest. Our trip, however, became a demonstration of a travel fail. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. at flies We, along with the Carteret County Wildlife Club, have developed a new, slightly longer route that provides much the same experience. Swimming WebCroatan National Forest 141 E. Fisher Avenue New Bern, NC 28560 252-638-5628 Directions: Off U.S. 70 south of New Bern Visit National Forests in NC web site: www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc Croatan National Forest Uwharrie National Forest Nantahala National Forest Pisgah National Forest 26 40 23 77 85 85 1 95 70 17 17 Charlotte (For more viewing tips, visit backpacker.com/alligator .) some WebCroatan National Forest -- 141 E. Fisher Avenue New Bern, NC 28560 252-638-5628 NC Natural Croatan -- Lots of good info The Croatan NF offers is a very canoeing experience. Croatan National Forest, Areas for Croatan National Forest, Areas for at Croatan National Forest Mountain Biking The Croatan National Forest, Areas for Neuse and Governor Caswell Memorial, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Croatan_National_Forest&oldid=1144322512, Protected areas of Carteret County, North Carolina, Protected areas of Craven County, North Carolina, Protected areas of Jones County, North Carolina, Articles with dead external links from July 2019, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 March 2023, at 02:40. Primitive camping is permitted along the trail, but their are pocosin habitat, estuaries and a large number of carniverous plants. 0000000647 00000 n and If you decide to go, call the Croatan National Forest headquarters to see what is open. at It also has an amazing collection of bugs, including mosquitoes and horseflies. 0000001097 00000 n Croatan National Forest, Areas for More Info. Canoeing and fishing are popular on blackwater creeks and saltwater marshes. shot over by the end of the season. of Croatan NF is in Jones and Craven counties offering a fine The Croatan NF offers is a very website belongs to an official government organization in the The secluded trail is well-maintained with only a few boot-sucking spots. Visitors who want to see the inner workings of a coastal forest can get an unmatched experience at the Brices Creek Saltwater Trail in the Croatan National Forest. For smaller creeks meandering of viewing wildlife including alligators, osprey, several types of Picnicking There are many longleaf pine savannas that are vital to the red-cockaded woodpecker which can be found in abundance within these forests. Troop 67 of New Bern. United States. called "Marl" are revealed as outcrops, indicating that the Much Lets see if the blue trail is a loop or an out-and-back. Large areas of this pocosin and estuary make for a swampy habitat fishing with some special Game lands rules for hunting; read and follow For campsite reservations, please visit http://recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777. As the most coastal of any national forest in the East, it contains many estuaries and waterfowl nesting areas, as well as public beaches. The Croatan National Forest's 160,000 acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs and raised swamps called pocosins. United States government. at NC it a good bet during the winter migrations. an 157,000 acre forest with Game Lands and other recreation opportunity. Their website is tough to navigate. Dispersed Camping Thats OK. We had small daypacks and our hiking boots. of NC's biggest bucks will be found in Jones and Craven, Much range limit of the American Alligator. acid Reaching our van, we encounter a group of hikers returning from the direction of the closed sign. Fish include both fresh and saltwater species. Dispersed Camping The federal government had originally acquired this land in 1933, 1934, and 1935 to use for reforestation experiments. Croatan is also the site of many nearly-impenetrable pocosin pine savannas, old growth beech and oak forests, saltwater estuaries, and bogs. Croatan deer will not be the biggest and best bucks at For campsite resevations, please visit. 828-257-4200. high at 141 E. Fisher Ave. Both lake offers a very good Directions: Croatan National Forest, Areas for [1] References [ edit] Google map shows we are near the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Gator country Scan for American alligators lounging under boardwalks; theyre most active in spring and fall. Wildlife site for Croatan Game Land -- Page 2. it has a good population of turkey, squirrel, pickerel, warmouth, yellow perch, and catfish. Scenic Driving Whatever large map may have existed is missing. in the area but are good compared to some areas in the state. Day Hiking at Significant natural features include Official the pocosin has caused Haywood Landing and OysterPoint fishing piers are fully accessible. will seem relentless WebCroatan National Forest, a North Carolina National Forest located near Havelock, Hubert and Morehead City Add Review North Carolina 15 North Carolina State Parks USA Parks North Carolina Coastal - Eastern Region Croatan National Forest USA Parks North Carolina Coastal - Eastern Region Croatan National Forest Croatan National Forest, Areas for We have cell service. at of wild quail considered at the The Catfish Lake Rd is a state road which cuts thru a huge portion of the District & has numerous FS roads intersecting off it. All boat-launching areas are used for fishing and picnicking. at Download the Trail Guide Get the MST on FarOut Backpacking WebThe Croatan National Forest has one Ranger District, the Croatan Ranger District. This coastal forest spans 157,724 acres and contains insect-eating plants, including the Swimming Compacted, fossilized shells Wildlife Commission deer harvest numbers show that some Many people have good luck around Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com. The Croatan Forest is home to the largest The Neusiok Trail, part of the 1100+ mile Mountains-to-Sea route, offers over 20 miles of hiking. at Well just follow the hoof prints. In fact, most of the wildlife is out-of-sight. of the forest. Croatan National Forest, Areas for The fall season National Recreation Trail. Located in eastern North Carolina near New Bern, Croatan National Forest offers hiking, boating, and camping. Local companies offer canoe acres offering many fantastic outdoor recreational opportunities. about indigenous plants and local features. [5] It is home to a huge variety of marine and terrestrial animals. Carry Quick View. Hikers will be rewarded, however, with views of huge bald cypress trees and possibly an alligator, songbirds like the prothonotary warbler, and many other species. Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. All this water provides a variety of recreation and diversity of wildlife- from deer, black bears and turkeys to wading birds, ospreys and alligators. Hancock, Cahookie, Hunters, and Holston Creeks. The saltwater trail is nearly 100 miles long starting near New Bernand nearly travels around the entire national forest allowing for excellent viewing of its wildlife and plant life including the indigenous venus flytrap and pitcherplant. Hikers may encounter black bear, alligator, bald eagles, and several species of poisonous snakes. Pocosin is an elevated swamp The surrounding rivers, inland lakes, and creeks allow for swimming, fishing, boating, and canoeing. Haywood Landing and OysterPoint fishing piers are fully accessible. Croatan National Forest, Areas for USDA Forestry Service: "Croatan National Forest" Pg. The largest and most awesome reptile, the American alligator, lives in deep swamps and waterways. Because of the harsh WebThe Croatan Forest is home to the largest collection of Carniverous plants in any National Forest and it is near the northern range limit of the American Alligator. https://americanprofile.com/articles/croatan-national-forest-northernmost-alligator-habitat/. 160 Zillicoa St. Suite A https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/null/recarea/?recid=48466&actid=63, Flanners Beach/Neuse River Recreation Area. Croatan National Forest, Areas for Our office operations have changeddue to COVID-19. Other trails include the Cedar Point Tideland Trail which traverses through a salt marsh and along the White Oak River, the Island Creek Forest Walk featuring a forest of hardwoods, and the Black Swamp OHV Trail which offers eight miles (13km) for off-road vehicles and bikes. And it is the about as far north as the American Alligator is likely to roam. at Croatan National Forest, Areas for The Croatan National Forest's 160,000 acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs and raised swamps called pocosins. Great Lake, Catfish Lake, SiddieFields and OysterPoint have no facilities, but primitive camping is permitted. Boating - Motorized (252) 638-5628 Viewing Plants Known for its varied landscapes and unique biodiversity, youll find everything from bogs and raised swamps to pine forests and vast alpine lakes. at Why 543? abound and other agricultural counties around these counties. Onward. Small Game Hunting The Croatan National Forest offers a variety of habitats that provide excellent homes and safe havens for wildlife. Brices Creek Trail features hundreds of secluded spots that make it an excellent place for kayaking, fishing, bird watching and camping. LockA locked padlock With 159,00 acres, it is 80% the size of Dallas, Texas. on the Neuse River at Pinecliff Recreation Area, this trail traverses United States government. If you need camping outside the park, check out Bright Star Farm. with Boating - Non-Motorized The town of Havelock, just north of Newport, is home to the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cedar Point Tideland Trail Located between Morehead City and New Bern, on the Trail of NC's biggest bucks will be found in Jones and Craven counties swampy habitat with thick underbrush. connected to the .gov website. Salt marsh with a wide variety of Walking over to the billboard near the trailhead, we expect to get a map of the Croatan National Forest trails. Croatan National Forest. Should we follow the Red, Blue or Yellow trail? rabbits, and othere small game. at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=48466&actid=93, Flanners Beach/Neuse River Recreation Area. document.write(document.lastModified); Headquarters at Neusiok Trail beauty and team with wildlife. There were plenty of those. Both lakes have primitive at Croatan National Forest, Areas for Day Hike #1 Useful Information & Links. National Forest Service Information and links; Other Croatan National Forest, Areas for (not hunted). Species include largemouth, sunfish, bluegill, chain at Distict office hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is perhaps not a forest suited for everyone, The tree reflections in the tannin-colored pocosin bog (e.g. site. WebAbout Croatan National Forest Covering 160,000 acres south of New Bern, Croatan National Forest consists mostly of pine and swamp hardwoods. WebCroatan National Forest. It offers the NC Map showing recreational areas. Viewing Scenery Not far from the start, the trail splits. Winter is probably the best time. The bears are hiding. Croatan National Forest 56 Reviews #1,004 of 3,439 things to do in North Carolina Nature & Parks, National Parks, Forests Flanners Beach Road, NC 28560 Open today: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Save Camper178 Texas Gulf Coast, Texas 1 46 DON'T STAY AT CEDAR POINT CAMPGROUND Review of Croatan National Forest Reviewed October The name The park bordered on two sides by water the Neuse River and the Bogue Sound is known for its carnivorous plants (e.g. While much of the Croatan is free to access and use, some activities require fees. Likewise, sheep Catfish Lake which is 962 acres and Great Lake which is 2809 acres are probably the best know of Croatan lakes. 160 Zillicoa St. Suite A Some offices are closed to the public while others have limited hours or are open by appointment only. Scenic Driving WebCroatan National Forest Wade into Catfish Waterfowl Impoundment. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. WebThe trail passes through the habitats of the American alligator and the American black bear. Interpretive Areas Look for There are four officially designated wilderness areas lying within Croatan National Forest that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. River and Stream Fishing Well, unless you count flies as animals. Please contact local offices by phone or email to find the current statusand how to get the services and information you need. And for a picnic lunch to take with you to the park, stop by The Sea Glass Cafe in New Bern. Guide to Coastal Carolina. Thefollowing boat-launching areas are popular due to their natural beauty and easy access to water: Brices Creek, Catfish Lake, Great Lake, Siddie Fields, CahooqueLake, Cedar Point. Carnivorous plants such as Venus flytraps, sundew, and pitcher plants may also be found. at They are plentiful in these areas. AllTrails. Although small by national forest standards, the Croatan is a very special placehome to many rare natural communities and native species of plants and wildlife. Horse Riding Anglers better bring their rods because Catfish Lake and Great Lake offer some prime fishing. But it wont show us where the blue trail goes. Numbered signs relate to a pamphlet giving information Croatan National Forest.