Croatan National Forest

Visitors who want to see the inner workings of a coastal forest can get an unmatched experience at the Brice’s Creek Saltwater Trail in Croatan National Forest, the only true coastal national forest in the Eastern US. One of many North Carolina scenic coastal trails, Brice’s Creek is the nation’s only saltwater-based trail through a national forest. The saltwater trail is close to 100 miles long, starts near New Bern and travels nearly around the entire national forest, allowing for excellent viewing of its wildlife and plant life, including the indigenous Venus flytrap and pitcher plant. Brice’s Creek features hundreds of secluded spots that make it an excellent place for kayaking, fishing, birding and camping. 

For those who are less adventurous, many of the trail’s highlights can be accessed by car. A trail brochure is available at the Croatan District Office. A popular spot for visitors to the NC coast, Croatan has several miles of hiking and walking trails and is known for its pine forest, saltwater estuaries, bogs and pocosins, which are swamps that are slightly elevated. The area features a diversity of wildlife, including black bears, turkeys, wading birds, ospreys and alligators.