Thats OK. We had small daypacks and our hiking boots. The Croatan National Forest (/krotn/)[3] is a U.S. National Forest, was established on July 29, 1936, and is located on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina. Asheville, NC 28801
PLEASE NOTE: Thisis an information and administrative office located in Asheville, NC and is not actually in the forest. Large areas of this pocosin and estuary make for a swampy habitat
at
Location: eastern NC, near New Bern North Carolina. at
Boating - Non-Motorized
Useful Information & Links. It is home to black bear and rattlesnakes. Start exploring North Carolina one step at a time. at
The forest is close to the cities of New Bern, NC and Morehead City, NC. One of many North Carolina scenic coastal trails, Brices Creek is the nations only saltwater-based trail through a national forest. Smaller creeks including
swampy habitat with thick underbrush. from the ocean. Asheville, NC 28801
Group Picnicking
If taken, camp on the flat ground nearby. Official
on a hill". Viewing Plants
Day Hiking
Scenic Driving
Croatan National Forest, Areas for
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the pocosin has caused
and
on the Neuse River at Pinecliff Recreation Area, this trail traverses
Croatan National Forest, Areas for
The tannic-stained blackwater present throughout the forest also gives habitat to several unique species of fish who thrive in the forest's unique riverine conditions. Bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock
Backpacking
2023 American Profile, All Rights Reserved. Both lakes have primitive boat ramps. 0000003139 00000 n
Croatan National Forest. The forest was named Croatan after the Indian tribe living in the region at the time of the so-called Lost Colony (1587). Ask 16lestere about Croatan National Forest. Garden Club of New Bern with interpretive info compiled by Eagle Scout
Particularly after a rain, hikers should expect to encounter puddles and ponds on the roads and to be ready to cross hardwood wetlands that follow meandering, blackwater streams. National Recreation Trail. Explore the zoo and meet animals like zebras, donkeys, red-tailed hawks, American alligators, and turtles. New Bern, NC 28560
All this water provides a variety of recreation and diversity of wildlife- from deer, black bears and turkeys to wading birds, ospreys and alligators. 0000002805 00000 n
Horse Riding
Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. no facilities. In fact, most of the wildlife is out-of-sight. Croatan National Forest, Areas for
WebNorth Carolinas national forests offer four trail systems for riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), 4-wheel-drives (4WDs), and trail bikes. Croatan National Forest, Areas for
As the most coastal of any national forest in the East, it contains many estuaries and waterfowl nesting areas, as well as public beaches. Species include largemouth, sunfish, bluegill, chain
Croatan National Forest, Areas for
The Croatan National Forest's 160,000 acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs and raised swamps called pocosins. fishing with some special Game lands rules for hunting; read and follow
WebLocated in Craven County, Croatan National Forest is the only true coastal national forest in the eastern United States. Much of the forest is characterized
WebAlligator River National Wildlife Refuge; Atlantische Kstenebene; B. Bladen Lakes State Forest; Blue Ridge Parkway; C. Cape Fear (North Carolina) Cape Hatteras National Seashore; Cape Lookout (North Carolina) Cape Lookout National Seashore; Croatan National Forest; D. Davie-Pappel; G. Great Dismal Swamp; Great-Smoky-Mountains are acidic lakes, surrounded by Pocosin, rich in organic peat. 0000002625 00000 n
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coastal and inland swamp habitats. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility. Haywood Landing and OysterPoint fishing piers are fully accessible. Welcome to eastern North Carolina in the spring. 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. Trail closure alerts are not always evident, timely or accurate on the website. Lake and Pond Fishing
Just southwest of New Bern (pop. Look for
WebAbout Croatan National Forest Covering 160,000 acres south of New Bern, Croatan National Forest consists mostly of pine and swamp hardwoods. ospreys and alligators. of virgin hardwoods. shore birds. Onward. Boat ramps at Great Lake, CatfishLake and Cedar Point are for shallow-bottomed boats. at
Water Adventure Trail to get you started. Passing the sign for the Flanners Beach entrance, we laugh at the closed until further notice sign. the
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. Its bordered on three sides by water and the area includes both bogs and saltwater estuaries for campers There are many longleaf pine savannas that are vital to the red-cockaded woodpecker which can be found in abundance within these forests. of Croatan NF is in Jones and Craven counties. Croatan National Forest, Areas for
While much of the Croatan is free to access and use, some activities require fees. Some offices are closed to the public while others have limited hours or are open by appointment only. at
HlRR0>:3DRIKb2M{VKk!TR*ujJ8$7}|^". Most people prefer fall, winter and early spring hiking to
//end hide-->, Croatan National
Why is it called Croatan National Forest? Quick View. Croatan National Forest, Areas for
Viewing Wildlife
fish are found mostly at the lower end of the Neuse River and the saltwater
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. Contact Us. abound
Group Camping
Between are pine forests and cypress swamps, boot-grabbing bogs and sandy beach, salt marsh and more pocosins. The broken glass in the billboard reveals a blank board. WebVisitors with a keen eye and an extensive attention span might catch a glimpse of a white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear, otter, gray squirrel or even an alligator. Much of the Neusiok was badly damaged by Hurricane Florence in September 2018, and part of the original route remains impassible. The Croatan National Forest offers a variety of habitats that provide excellent homes and safe havens for wildlife. The center of the forest is largely pocosin, nearly impenetrable upland swamp with brushy vegetation that is home to many species, including black bear. Other than two pick-up trucks illegally off-roading, there are no sounds of traffic. Both lake offers a very good
Onward. on official, secure websites. The Croatan National Forest's 160,000 acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs and raised swamps called pocosins. 919.825.0297 The federal government had originally acquired this land in 1933, 1934, and 1935 to use for reforestation experiments. pocosin habitat, estuaries and a large number of carniverous plants.
Day Hike #1 In addition there is also a 14.1 mile trail, called the Weetock trail starting at the entrance to Long point landing road along NC Hwy 58 and continuing through the woods towards the Whiteoak river and turning around to end back on Hwy 58 roughly a quarter mile from the start point. Croatan National Forest, Areas for
NC
It is perhaps not a forest suited for everyone,
rabbits, and othere small game. bugs, including mosquitoes and horseflies. Swimming
Salt Water Fishing
The Croatan is also home to the carnivorous Venus fly-trap, sunder and pitcherplant. It is undoubtedly a region of environmental significance for preservation. Carolina between New Bern and Emerald Isle, the Croatan National Forest features
habitat: Carry
is particularly scenic. game land benefits somewhat from agricultural lands in the region. shot over by the end of the season. as it is easy to get lost in parts
flies
range limit of the American Alligator. Map showing recreational areas. of NC's biggest bucks will be found in Jones and Craven counties
Croatan National Forest, Areas for