Croatan In The Wild
If you've spent any time camping in North Carolina, you'll eventually find yourself at Croatan National Forest – and your first visit won't be your last. There are a variety of ways you can enjoy this wonder, and most of the time you'll have the place to yourself.
Like all the other National Forests, how you enjoy these treasures is up to you. The inherent lack of structure to the space lends itself to exploration, adventure, and a different experience every time you visit.
Hiking your thing? Croatan National Forest has 100 miles of marked trails with 3 primitive camping shelters. Bikepacking make your adventurer's heart sing? Unless otherwise marked you can mountain bike all over the forest. Kayakpacking the best of the best for you? 127 miles of shoreline runs along the perimeter of Croatan.
Covering 159,885 acres of coastal land, Croatan National Forest is bordered on three sides by the Neuse River, the Bogue Sound, and the White Oak River. Five lakes also dot the wilderness.