Viewing Scenery Areas

• Croatan National Forest

  Welcome to the Croatan National Forest, one of four National Forests in North Carolina and the only true coastal forest in the East.  The Croatan National Forest's 160,000 acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs and raised swamps called pocosins.  Bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water.

  All this water provides a variety of recreation and diversity of wildlife- from deer, black bears and turkeys to wading birds, ospreys and alligators.  Canoeing and fishing are popular on blackwater creeks and saltwater marshes.  The Croatan is also home to the carnivorous Venus fly-trap, sunder and pitcherplant. 

  The Croatan National Forest has one Ranger District, the Croatan Ranger District.  Please contact the District for more information.

  Camping and Day-use Information

  Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Croatan National Forest can be found here.

  Recreation Maps

  Croatan National Forest Maps

  Be Safe

  The national forests in North Carolina offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility.

• Brice's Creek Area

  Brice's Creek Trail and Boat Launch

• Brice's Creek Boat Launch
• Brice's Creek Trail
• Cahooque Creek Boat Launch
• Catfish Area

  Catfish Lake Boat Launch and Waterfowl Impoundment

• Catfish Lake Boat Launch
• Catfish Waterfowl Impoundment
• Cedar Point Recreation Area

  The Cedar Point Recreation Area, near the mouth of the White Oak River, is surrounded by a salt marsh and a coastal forest.  The salt marsh, where fresh water meets salt water, stretches out like a sea of grass.  This nutrient-rich wetland is a valuable "nursery" for commercial seafood, including fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters.

  A small-craft boat ramp and fishing pier provides easy access to the river and its bounty. The shallow water is suited to flat-bottom boats. Canoes and kayaks can navigate the maze of canals through the salt march. From the boat ramp, paddle around the point, then pass under the boardwalk of the Tideland Trail. Be aware of the tides; an extremely low tide can leave some canals dry. The loop is shown on the map is about 2 miles and can be completed in half a day.

  The campground has 36 sites with electrical hookups, a bathhouse with flush toilets, warm showers, drinking water and a ramp for shallow water boats. Picnic tables are nearby. The Cedar Point Tideland Trail crosses boardwalks to explore the salt marsh and the life above and beneath.

   

  Common birds around the salt marsh:

  Osprey*, Red-tail hawk, Turkey vulture, Fish crow, Common egret, Snowy egret, Great blue heron, Tri-colored heron, Little blue heron, Red-winged blackbird, Boat-tail grackle, Belted kingfisher.

  Common birds in the forest:

  Carolina chikadee, Brown-headed nuthatch, Tufted titmouse, Northern mockingbird, Brown thrasher, Caolinawren, Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Pine warbler, Northern cardinal, Rufous-sided tewhee, Eastern bluebird, Red-bellied woodpecker, Red-headed woodpecker, Pileated woodpecker

  *Mostly Mar-Oct. All others are year-round residents

  Common Mammals:

  White-tailed deer, Raccoon

  Other Common Wildlife:

  Marsh periwinkle, Fiddler crabs, Blue crabs, Oysters, Mud crabs, numerous insects, Green anole lizard, Eastern fence lizard.

  Check out the brochure.

• Cedar Point Campground
• Tideland National Recreation Trail
• Flanners Beach/Neuse River Recreation Area

  Neuse River Campground and Trails

  Situated on a bank of the Neuse River and under tall pines and hardwoods, the Neuse River Recreation Area offers secluded campsites. The campground has reopened but the picnic area and beach are temporarily closed due to the impacts of Hurricane Florence. 

  For more information, read the Neuse River Recreation Opportunity Guide.

  You can also view these maps for the area: Neuse River Campground, Neuse River Recreation Area Overview, and Neuse River Recreation Opportunity Guide

  Download free, geo-referenced map, compatible with Avenza.

• Flanners Beach/Neuse River Campground
• Neuse River Trails
• Great Lake Boat Launch
• Island Creek Trailhead
• Long Point Boat Launch
• Neusiok Area

  Neusiok Trails and Pine Cliff Picnic Area

• Neusiok Trail
• Oyster Point Campground
• Patsy Pond Nature Trail
• Saltwater Adventure Trail
• Nantahala National Forest

  Welcome to the Nantahala National Forest! The Nantahala National Forest lies in the mountain and valleys of southwestern North Carolina. The largest of North Carolina's four National Forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along Hiwassee River. The Forest is divided into three Districts, Cheoah in Robbinsville, NC, Tusquitee in Murphy, NC, and the Nantahala in Franklin, NC. All district names come from the Cherokee language. "Nantahala" is a Cherokee word meaning "land of the noon day sun," a fitting name for the Nantahala Gorge, where the sun only reaches to the valley floor at midday.The Nantahala National Forest was established in 1920 under authority of the 1911 Weeks Act. This act provided authority to acquire lands for national forests to protect watersheds, to provide timber, and to regulate the flow of navigable streams. In the Nantahala National Forest, visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities from whitewater rafting to camping. With over 600 miles of trails, opportunities exist for hikers, mountain bikers, horse-back riders and off-highway vehicle riders.

  Camping and Day-use Information

  Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Nantahala National Forest can be found here.

  Recreation Maps

  Nantahala & Pisgah National Forest Maps

  Be Safe

  The national forests in North Carolina offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility.

  Waterfall Safety for the Summer.

• Nantahala Ranger District

  The Nantahala Ranger District stretches 250,000 acres across Macon, Jackson and Swain counties offering a variety of recreational opportunities from camping to off-highway vehicle riding. This District is a diverse, rugged, and mountainous area with raging rivers, granite walls, and waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy the remoteness of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness, a scenic drive along the Mountain Waters Byway or a view Whitewater Falls, the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains. The Nantahala is also home to four long distance trails, the Appalachian, Bartram, Foothills, and Mountains-to-Sea Trails. Come experience the outdoors and explore the Nantahala! Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734, (828) 524-6441

• Ammons Branch Campground
• Balsam Lake Lodge
• Chattooga Wild and Scenic River
• Cullasaja Gorge
• Dry Falls
• Kimsey Creek Group Campground
• Mountain Waters Scenic Byway
• Nantahala River Gorge
• Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area
• Standing Indian Campground
• Wayah Bald Tower
• Whiteside Mountain
• Whitewater Falls
• Pisgah National Forest

  The Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Comprised of over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls and hundreds of miles of trails. This national forest is home of the first tract of land purchased under the Weeks Act of 1911 which led to the creation of the national forests in the eastern United States. It is also home of the first school of forestry in the United States, now preserved at the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site, and boasts two of the first designated wilderness areas in the east. The Pisgah, Grandfather and Appalachian Ranger Districts are scattered along the eastern edge of the mountains of western North Carolina and offer visitors a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation and enjoying the natural beauty of the mountains.

  Camping and Day-use Information

  Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Pisgah National Forest can be found here 

  Recreation Maps

  Nantahala & Pisgah National Forest Maps

  Directions to Frequently Requested Places

  NC Arobretum and Bent Creek Area

  Blue Ridge Parkway South

  Blue Ridge Parkway North

  Pisgah Ranger District

  Cradle of Forestry

  Cradle of Forestry (Scenic Route)

  The Biltmore House

  Mt. Mitchell

  Be Safe

  The national forests in North Carolina offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility.

  Waterfall Safety for the Summer.

• Appalachian Ranger District

  Current Notes of Interest:

  • 4/5/2024- All seasonal road closures are open except for:
  • • Stony Fork (FS 63): Remains closed due to storm damage
    • Flat Top (FS 278): Closed at the Spivy Entrance. Harmiller Gap entrance is open. Traffic turn around areas are at Joe Lewis Field. 

  • 4/4/2024-Rocky Bluff Campground will be closed for the 2024 season due to multiple maintenance issues. 

  • 3/19/2024-Roan Mountain Recreation Area will undergo a major renovation this summer. The Recreation Area will be closed during the repairs. 
    •  The area to be closed includes the rhododendron gardens, Roan high bluff, Cloudland parking area, and Cloudland Trail. Carver’s Gap and the Appalachian Trail will remain open, but there is limited parking at Carver’s Gap.
    • This does not affect Roan Mountain State Park. To contact them, please follow this link, or call (888) 867-2757.
• Big Ivy Area, Coleman Boundary

  The Big Ivy, Coleman Boundary area is located on the Appalachian Ranger District near Barnardsville, NC. "Ivy" is the local name for the mountain laurel shrub.This area is beautiful, remote, mountain land with more than 30 miles of trails that you can hike, bike and ride horses.

• Bear Pen TR 176
• Big Butt TR 161
• Douglas Falls Trail TR 162
• Laurel Gap TR 184
• Perkins TR 175
• Snowball TR 170
• Staire Creek TR 183
• Walker Creek TR 165
• Black Mountain / South Toe River Area

  The South Toe River area is on the Appalachian Ranger District near Burnsville, NC. This area includes the Black Mountains, the Blue Ridge, and the headwaters of the South Toe River. The Black Mountains, capped with a forest of red spruce and Fraser fir, are named for the resulting dark color. Along the South Toe River, you can camp, picnic, fish, swim, tube, bike, and horseback ride.

  Page last updated 1/30/2024

• Bald Knob Ridge TR 186
• Big Tom Gap TR 191A
• Black Mountain Campground
• Black Mountain Crest TR 179
• Briar Bottom Bicycle TR 1006
• Briar Bottom Group Campground
• Buncombe Horse Range TR 191
• Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area
• Colbert Ridge TR 178
• Devil's Den Nature TR 192
• Green Knob TR 182
• Mount Mitchell TR 190
• Roaring Fork Creek Falls TR 195
• Setrock Creek Falls TR 197
• Elk Falls Area-Elk River Falls (Big Falls)
• Flat Top Mountain Area

  Flat Top Mountain is located in Yancey County, NC. Three different hiking trails travel through woods of poplar, oak and maple. These trails provide beautiful views of the Unaka Mountains, the Nolichucky River Gorge and its sheer rock cliffs. Named for its unique topographical shape, Flat Top Mountain is a series of mountains that level out and appear flat on top, though its elevation is 4,469 feet high. The Devil's Creek and Lost Cove trails are best known for providing access to the Lost Cove community, developed in the 1900's for establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Railroad. Though it has been a ghost town for decades, several remaining structures and a cemetery can still be seen and accessed from the trail. Also, accessed from the Lost Cove Trail is a place called Joe Lewis Fields, named after the earliest settler in the area. The coordinates for Flat Top Mountain are as follows: N 36.02'54" and W 82.24'31".

• Lost Cove TR 196
• Shinbone TR 187
• Harmon Den Area

  Harmon Den is on the Appalachian Ranger District in the vicinity of exit 7 off of  I-40. The area is a haven for hikers and horseback riders. It offers 54.5 miles of trails with 14 miles of trails designated for horseback riding and hiking, and 40 miles for hiking.

   This page was last updated 5/6/2024

   

  Harmon Den HorseCamp Information: 

  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48600

• Buckeye Ridge TR 304
• Harmon Den Horsecamp
• Hot Springs Area

  The French Broad River and Appalachian Trail travel right through Hot Springs making the town a  haven for hikers, rafters and other outdoor enthusiasts. The Hot Springs area features 44 miles of trails with 13.4 miles designated for mountain biking.  

• Betty Place Trail 298
• Bluff Mountain Loop Trail - 298A
• Jack Branch TR 299
• Lover's Leap Loop TR 308
• Mill Ridge TR 280
• River Ridge Loop TR 281
• Rocky Bluff Campground
• Roaring Creek Area-Overmountain Victory TR 308
• Shelton Laurel Area

  The Shelton Laurel Backcountry area located in Madison County, NC is a unique part of the Appalachian Ranger District. It consists of undisturbed hardwood forests, rhododendron thickets and is full of coves, tributaries and serene mountainsides. This area provides 14.7 miles of combined hiking on five different trails, many of which intersect with loop options, and access the Appalachian Trail, as well as, Jerry Cabin Shelter. Enjoyable during all seasons, the Hickey Fork and Jerry Miller trails provide views of waterfalls and cascades in higher elevations, and are especially scenic in the late spring when the mountain laurel and rhododendron are in full bloom. Whiteoak Trail travels through beautiful hardwood forests, and in the winter provides beautiful views of the Baxter Cliffs.

• Fork Ridge TR 285
• Hickey Fork TR 292
• Jerry Miller TR 286
• Special Day-Use Areas

  http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/connections/pisgah_day_use.pdf

• Carolina Hemlocks Picnic Area
• Max Patch
• Roan Mountain Day Use Area

  Famous for its spectacular natural gardens of Catawba rhododendrons, Roan Mountain shelters a rich diversity of life, from spruce-fir forests to vast grassy balds.

  Roan Mountain is actually not one mountain, but a high ridge about 5 miles long. It ranges from a height of 6,286 feet at Roan High Knob to a low of 5,500 feet at Carver’s Gap. No one knows the origin of the mountain’s name. Some claim the name refers to the roan or reddish color of the mountain when rhododendrons bloom in June,
  or the mountain ash berries appear in September. Others say the name comes from Daniel Boone’s roan horse, because he and his horse were frequent visitors.

  Roan Mountain Recreation Area will undergo a major renovation this summer, funded by the Great American Outdoors Act. 

  The Recreation Area will be closed during the repairs.

  Crews have started by drilling a new well and replacing the current water distribution system. Plans also include road surface improvement, replacing curbs and fences, rehabilitating picnic sites, replacing flooring in the visitor center, new interpretive signs and repairing damage on the observation decks. The area to be closed includes the rhododendron gardens, Roan high bluff, Cloudland parking area, and Cloudland Trail. Carver’s Gap and the Appalachian Trail will remain open, but there is limited parking at Carver’s Gap. We ask that visitors plan accordingly and contact the District Office (828-689-9694) if they have any questions or visit www.roanhighlands.org for alternative hikes. 

  This does not affect Roan Mountain State Park in TN. To contact them, please follow this link, or call (888) 867-2757.

   

   

  Page last updated: 3/19/2024

• Cloudland TR 1000
• Grandfather Ranger District

  The lands that make up the Grandfather Ranger District are those public lands that run from the McDowell/Buncombe county line on Black Mountain just east of Asheville over to US 321 between Lenoir and Blowing Rock. The Blue Ridge Parkway forms the northern boundary of the district. The Grandfather Ranger District began under the Weeks Act with the purchase of an 8,100acre tract in 1912. Now, the district covers over 192,000 acres. Enjoy your visit!

• Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area

  With fantastic vistas, ridges more than 4000 feet high, whitewater rapids and trails that travel to spectacular waterfalls, Wilson Creek offers great adventures for hiking, scenic viewing, mountain biking, fishing, camping, horseback riding and backpacking.

• Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail 271
• Little Lost Cove Cliffs Trail 271A
• Upper Creek Falls Trail 268B
• Wisemans' View