A beautiful corner of North Carolina National forest offers it all, including a tranquil trail and a gorgeous beach. You’ll find this special destination within the vast Croatan National Forest and it’s a place where the stress of daily life simply melts away. Take in the wildlife, stroll a shady path or just relax by the water - you won't regret visiting. Here’s a sample of the natural therapy that’s waiting for you at North Carolina’s Flanners Beach.
North Carolina is home to four National Forests, but just one is a coastal forest - Croatan National Forest.
The forest is massive – it sprawls across 160,000 acres, an area of pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps.
You’ll find a beautiful area along the Neuse River near Cherry Point. Locally, the area is called Flanners Beach. There’s a pleasant campground with 40 sites, a hiking trail, and a beautiful stretch of beach.
A winding hiking trail will take you through a quiet mixed pine and hardwood forest. You may want to pick up a map or use a GPS device as there are many turns and forks on the trail.
The terrain in the forest is a little rugged but it’s gorgeous. You’ll likely have some company on the trail - the area is rich with wildlife. You may encounter deer, black bears turkey, wading birds, osprey, alligators, and turtles.
The river provides a beautiful and relaxing backdrop to the area, whether you’re visiting for a day hike or a weekend camping trip.
The area is subject to closure in advance of hurricanes – the hurricane season typically runs from mid June until mid November. Learn more about the Croatan National Forest here. If you love wild places, there’s a lot more to explore in North Carolina. Here are some of the state’s most scenic wild and hiking trails.
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