Contact Information
141 E. Fisher Ave
New Bern, NC 28560
252-638-5628
The Croatan National Forest sits towards the southern end of the South Carolina coast, smack dab in hurricane country. (You might want to avoid a visit in August or September, the height of the season.) The coastal forest, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps known as pocosin all contribute to an ecosystem that has more in common with the Everglades than North Carolina's mountainous forests to the west. With all its water, the Croatan makes for fertile wildlife habitat -- you'll find everything from wild turkey and osprey to black bears and 'gators. Croatan's watery 157,000 acres are the very definition of canoe country. For those who enjoy the open waters of lakes there are two places to explore. Great Lake is 2,809 acres land inhabited by numerous osprey and alligators. Catfish Lake is a shallow, acidic body of water of only 962 acres. Like Great Lake, it is surrounded by pocosin. On either lake it is best to take a compass because people have been known to get turned around. To enjoy paddling moving waters, try the local rivers - the White Oak, Neuse, and Newport. On these rivers the canoeist is presented with the changing variety of shore birds which inhabit this part of the east coast during different times of the year. Visitors who prefer more enclosed creeks will enjoy canoeing Brices, Hadnot, Hancock, Cahooque, Hunters, or Holston creeks. Here the canoeist can explore a variety of ecosystems, each with its own associated plants and wildlife.
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