Croatan National Forest
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Croatan National Forest is located in the eastern part of North Carolina and is the only true coastal forest in the eastern United States.
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Summary
It covers more than 160,000 acres and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including longleaf pines, carnivorous plants, and several endangered species.
One of the main reasons to visit Croatan National Forest is to experience its natural beauty and outdoor activities. Visitors can hike, camp, fish, hunt, and kayak in the forest and its surrounding waterways. There are also several scenic drives and overlooks, such as the Neuse River Recreation Area and the Cedar Point Tideland Trail.
Other points of interest within the forest include the historic town of Havelock, the Pine Cliff Recreation Area, and the Newport River Estuary. The forest also has several educational and interpretive programs, including guided nature walks and talks, birdwatching, and stargazing.
Interesting facts about Croatan National Forest include that it was named after the Croatan Native American tribe who once inhabited the area and that it was established in 1936 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The forest is also home to the world's largest collection of carnivorous plants and the largest concentration of black bears in North Carolina.
The best time to visit Croatan National Forest is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter can be chilly and wet. Visitors should also be aware that the forest is located in a hurricane-prone region and may be affected by severe weather during certain times of the year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Hofmann State Forest
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Jacksonville Recreation Complex