Croatan National Forest, National forest and nature reserve in Carteret County, North Carolina, US
Croatan National Forest is the only coastal forest in North Carolina, located in Carteret County. It covers wetlands, lakes, beaches, longleaf pine savannas, and areas with carnivorous plants like Venus flytraps and pitcher plants.
Croatan National Forest was established in the early 20th century as part of a national effort to protect coastal forest lands. Before the 1970s, the area had few marked trails, so visitors could only travel on forest roads, which limited access to much of the land.
The best time to visit is from October to April, when the weather is cooler and far less humid than in summer. Trails are flat but often cross wet areas, so waterproof footwear and trekking poles can make a real difference.
The Neusiok Trail runs about 22 miles (35 km) from the Neuse River to the Newport River and passes through several different ecosystems in a single walk. Along the way, three open shelters are available for hikers who need to rest or take cover from the weather.
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