Chaotic Beauty in the Forest - Croatan National Forest

At twenty-one miles in length the Neusiok Trail is the crown jewel of hiking on the Crystal Coast. This popular hike sees a lot of traffic in the late Fall, Winter and early Spring months. During the warmer months insects, coupled with high humidity, make the trek less than pleasant. Additionally, thick undergrowth greatly restricts the views into the woodlands. The thick growth creates a chaotic, yet serene environment.

The Croatan National Forest occupies nearly 160,000 acres and includes areas in three coastal counties, Carteret, Craven and Jones. Bordered on three sides by the Bogue Sound, the Neuse River and the White Oak River, the property includes bogs, mixed forest, pine forest, pocosin and salt estuary environments. There is also a significant area of longleaf pine savanna, an ecosystem that once occupied much of the Southeastern Unitied States. Nearby communities include Havelock, Morehead City and New Bern.