Havelock Travel Guide

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The Neusiok Trail is about 20 miles long and runs from the banks of the Neuse River through Croatan National Forest to Oyster Point along the Newport River. For those who do not wish to through-hike the trail, it crosses roads at several points dividing the trail into easily-hikeable sections. Being a coastal forest, the trail crosses sandy beaches, cypress swamps, hardwood forest, longleaf pine savannahs, and pocosin bogs. Through swampy areas, the trail has boardwalks to cross and keep your feet dry. If it's been raining, be very careful as the boardwalks are very slippery. For those who do plan to through-hike (the trail is part of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail), there are three shelters along the way - Copperhead Landing between Pine Cliff and NC-306; Dogwood Camp, less than a mile south of NC-101; and Blackjack Lodge, about one mile north of Mill Creek Road. Due to the swampy nature, it's best to avoid the trail during summer months when the temperature, humidity, and insects are at their worst. Also, during hunting season, it's best to wear blaze orange as the trail crosses game lands.

A particularly nice section of the trail runs from the north terminus at Pine Cliff Recreation Area to NC-306. The trail starts following the beach along the Neuse River then travels through several pocosin bogs and Copperhead Landing shelter.

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The Minnesott-Cherry Beach Ferry is a free ferry service by the NC DOT between Pine Cliff Recreation Area and Minnesott Beach. If you're in the area and have time, it's a fun little ferry ride. NC-306 runs from both sides of the ferry line - from the south, it leads to NC-101 which leads to US-70 in New Bern and from the north, it leads to NC-55 to US-70 in New Bern. In the evening, catch the ferry for a free sunset cruise!