Croatan National Forest Guide Profile

Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Croatan National Forest

Welcome to the Croatan National Forest, one of four National Forests in North Carolina and the only true coastal forest in the East. The Croatan National Forest's 160,000 acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs and raised swamps called pocosins. Bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water. All this water provides a variety of recreation and diversity of wildlife- from deer, black bears and turkeys to wading birds, ospreys and alligators. Canoeing and fishing are popular on blackwater creeks and saltwater marshes. The Croatan is also home to the carnivorous Venus fly-trap, sunder and pitcherplant. The Croatan National Forest has one Ranger District, the Croatan Ranger District. Please contact the District for more information. Camping and Day-use Information Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Croatan National Forest can be found here . Recreation Maps Croatan…

Camping & reservations

The booking button opens the published reservation system for Oyster Point Campground. Other campgrounds in this forest may use different reservations, first-come sites or permits. Check each named site.

Cedar Point Campground ↗

The Cedar Point Recreation Area, near the mouth of the White Oak River, is surrounded by a salt marsh and a coastal forest. The salt marsh, where fresh water meets salt water, stretches out like a sea of grass. This nutrient-rich wetland is a valuable "nursery" for commercial seafood, including fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters. This recreation area is a dynamic place affected by hurricanes, rising sea levels, and insect epidemics, such as Southern pine beetles that devastate nearby pine trees. On a daily basis, this living community contends with the change brought by the tides. This is a place to slow down and savor nature's beauty. This area is subject to closure in advance of hurricanes. Reservations will be automatically cancelled and refunded in the event of a closure due to hurricanes. Hurricane season is typically June to mid-November. Sites can be reserved at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Five sites are available as first come first serve. You will have to book three days in advance of your stay. What that means is, if a site is vacant and not reserved when you show up, you may stay in it for three days, but if it gets booked after that you will have to…

Reservations: Reservations must be made three days in advance and can be made at http://recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777 . For first come first serve campsites please see the campground host or co-host for availability.

Site rules: Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. No alcohol. Public isn’t allowed to dump septic waste. There is not water at each site. Reservations must be made 3 days in advance.

Cedar Point Recreation Area ↗

The Cedar Point Recreation Area, near the mouth of the White Oak River, is surrounded by a salt marsh and a coastal forest. The salt marsh, where fresh water meets salt water, stretches out like a sea of grass. This nutrient-rich wetland is a valuable "nursery" for commercial seafood, including fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters. A small-craft boat ramp and fishing pier provides easy access to the river and its bounty. The shallow water is suited to flat-bottom boats. Canoes and kayaks can navigate the maze of canals through the salt march. From the boat ramp, paddle around the point, then pass under the boardwalk of the Tideland Trail. Be aware of the tides; an extremely low tide can leave some canals dry. The loop is shown on the map is about 2 miles and can be completed in half a day. The campground has 36 sites with electrical hookups, a bathhouse with flush toilets, warm showers, drinking water and a ramp for shallow water boats. Picnic tables are nearby. The Cedar Point Tideland Trail crosses boardwalks to explore the salt marsh and the life above and beneath. Common birds around the salt marsh: Osprey*, Red-tail hawk, Turkey vulture, Fish crow, Common egret, Snowy egret, Great…

Reservations: Reservations available

Site rules: Overflow parking for rec area not available in campground.

Oyster Point Campground ↗

Oyster Point Campground is situated on the Intercoastal Waterway and is the trailhead for the 21-mile Neusiok Trail. The trail meanders through cypress swamps, loblolly pines and vast bogs of thick vegetation. Oyster Point's shallow water boat ramp provides a launching point for boaters and anglers (No vehicle access). Nestled under tall loblolly pines, the campground features 15 sites and two vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table, fire grill, parking spur, tent pad and lantern post. This area is subject to closure in advance of hurricanes. Reservations will be automatically cancelled and refunded in the event of a closure due to hurricanes. Hurricane season is typically June to mid-November.

Reservations: Reservations can be made at recreation.gov by calling 877-444-6777 For first come first serve campsites please see the campground host or co-host for availability.

Site rules: Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. No alcohol.

Truck-camping & permitted overnight use

Located under tall pines and hardwoods, each of the 40 campsites is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring and lantern poles. Two of these sites only allow double occupancy. Electrical hookups are available at 24 sites. The campground offers showers, restrooms, drinking water and a trailer dump station for registered campers’ use. Users can stretch their legs on an accessible one-mile trail that winds through the mixed pine-hardwood forest near both the campground and picnic area. More than five additional miles are also available to bikers and hikers, but no motorized vehicles or horses are allowed. This area is subject to closure in advance of hurricanes. Reservations will be automatically cancelled and refunded in the event of a closure due to hurricanes. Hurricane season is typically June to mid-November. For more information, read…

The official recreation inventory lists Oyster Point Campground, Neusiok Area, Catfish Area for dispersed camping. Read each site’s current rules; this does not authorize camping on every forest road.

Oyster Point Campground ↗ — Oyster Point Campground is situated on the Intercoastal Waterway and is the trailhead for the 21-mile Neusiok Trail. The trail meanders through cypress swamps, loblolly pines and vast bogs of thick vegetation. Oyster Point's shallow water boat ramp provides a launching point for boaters and anglers (No vehicle access). Nestled under tall loblolly pines, the campground features 15 sites and two vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table, fire grill, parking spur, tent pad and lantern post. This area is subject to closure in advance of hurricanes. Reservations will be automatically cancelled and refunded in the event of a closure due to…

Neusiok Area ↗ — Neusiok Trails and Pine Cliff Picnic Area

Catfish Area ↗ — Catfish Lake Boat Launch and Waterfowl Impoundment

Activities, hiking & trails

Cedar Point Campground ↗
The Cedar Point Recreation Area, near the mouth of the White Oak River, is surrounded by a salt marsh and a coastal forest. The salt marsh, where fresh water meets salt water, stretches out like a sea of grass. This nutrient-rich wetland is a valuable "nursery" for commercial seafood, including fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters. This recreation area is a dynamic place affected by hurricanes, rising sea levels, and insect epidemics, such as Southern pine beetles that devastate nearby pine trees. On a daily basis, this living community contends with the change brought by the tides. This is a place to slow down and savor nature's beauty. This area is subject to closure in advance of hurricanes. Reservations will be automatically cancelled and refunded in the event of a closure due to hurricanes. Hurricane season is typically June to mid-November. Sites can be reserved at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Five sites are available as first come first serve. You will have to book…

Cedar Point Recreation Area ↗
The Cedar Point Recreation Area, near the mouth of the White Oak River, is surrounded by a salt marsh and a coastal forest. The salt marsh, where fresh water meets salt water, stretches out like a sea of grass. This nutrient-rich wetland is a valuable "nursery" for commercial seafood, including fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters. A small-craft boat ramp and fishing pier provides easy access to the river and its bounty. The shallow water is suited to flat-bottom boats. Canoes and kayaks can navigate the maze of canals through the salt march. From the boat ramp, paddle around the point, then pass under the boardwalk of the Tideland Trail. Be aware of the tides; an extremely low tide can leave some canals dry. The loop is shown on the map is about 2 miles and can be completed in half a day. The campground has 36 sites with electrical hookups, a bathhouse with flush toilets, warm showers, drinking water and a ramp for shallow water boats. Picnic tables are nearby. The Cedar Point Tideland…

Oyster Point Campground ↗
Oyster Point Campground is situated on the Intercoastal Waterway and is the trailhead for the 21-mile Neusiok Trail. The trail meanders through cypress swamps, loblolly pines and vast bogs of thick vegetation. Oyster Point's shallow water boat ramp provides a launching point for boaters and anglers (No vehicle access). Nestled under tall loblolly pines, the campground features 15 sites and two vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table, fire grill, parking spur, tent pad and lantern post. This area is subject to closure in advance of hurricanes. Reservations will be automatically cancelled and refunded in the event of a closure due to hurricanes. Hurricane season is typically June to mid-November.

Maps & road access

Consult the current Motor Vehicle Use Map for permitted motor routes, vehicle classes and seasonal designations. A route on an MVUM is not a guarantee that it is maintained or passable. Check current road closures and conditions with the district; carry an offline map.

Use the official directions for the exact named campground or trailhead; forest boundaries and administrative offices are not campsite entrances. Official directions / site access ↗

Before you travel

Check the forest’s current alerts, seasonal services, fire orders and campground rules. Download the relevant official maps before entering areas with limited reception.

Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. USDA Forest Service official information ↗

Photograph sources & licensing

Banner: Neusiok Trail approach, Croatan National Forest
Bicycle Touring Croatan National Forest
Credit: Kristy Dactyl. Original source ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.

Second large photograph: Croatan National Forest entrance
Bicycle Touring Croatan National Forest
Credit: Kristy Dactyl. Original source ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.

Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.