- The National Forests of North Carolina include four national
forests covering 1.2 million acres, from the mountains to the
sea. The Croatan is located along the coast. The Croatan's
160,000 acres have coastal forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs
and raised swamps, called pocosins. Bounded on three sides by
tidal rivers and Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water.
The Forest borders the White Oak, Neuse and Trent River, and to
the south lie the Bogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Blackwater
creeks originate deep in the forest. All this water provides a
variety of fishing and canoeing, as well as a diversity of
wildlife - from deer, black bears and turkeys to wading birds,
ospreys and alligators. The Croatan's estuary and swamp areas
offer visitors a unique view of a national forest. Insectivorous
plants, such as the Venus flytrap and crustaceans, such as crab
and shrimp, relish the Croatan's environment. A swimming beach
is located at the Neuse River just south of Fishers Landing. The
Neusiok Trail travels