Section 36: The Neusiok Trail
NOTICE: Hurricane Irene caused severe damage on the Neusiok Trail, and volunteers estimate it may not be reopened until Spring 2012. In the meantime, if you are attempting to thru-hike the trail, we have new hiking directions posted on the Trail Updates page to allow you to continue your trek while the trail is closed.
Approximately 25 miles
Section 36 displays the beauty of coastal North Carolina and the diversity of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The section includes pine forests and cypress swamps, boot-grabbing bogs and sandy beach, salt marsh, and the distinctive raised swamps called pocosin. Hikers also may encounter black bear, alligator, bald eagles and several species of poisonous snakes.
Most of this section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail traces the older Neusiok Trail, a popular footpath that marked its 40th anniversary in 2011. The trail section stretches from the ferry landing at Minnesott Beach to Mill Creek in the Croatan National Forest.
Nearly a mile and a half of the trail is located on elevated boardwalk and footbridges through swamp. Another mile is along the Neuse River.
The section picks up where the ferry from Minnesott Beach lands at Cherry Branch. Follow N.C. 306 (Ferry Road) south about 1.3 miles to Forest Road 132. Follow Forest Road 132 into the Pine Cliff Recreation Area to the trailhead of the Neusiok Trail. Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, Pine Cliff Recreation Area has a picnic shelter, drinking water and pit toilets. Overnight camping is not allowed.
The Neusiok Trail (pronounced noose-ee-ock), was built by the Carteret County Wildlife Club with the help of the U.S. Forest Service. It stretches 22 miles through Croatan National Forest and includes three primitive shelters. Club volunteers still maintain and make improvements to the trail.
The trail continues generally north to south through the national forest and includes numerous road crossings where hikers can access segments of the trail. Major road crossing include:
• NC 306 approximately 6.8 miles from Pine Cliff Recreation Area. A nearby Forest Service parking lot accommodates 10 to 15 cars;
• Hwy 101, approximately 9.7 miles from Pine Cliff Recreation Area. Parking along road;
• Mill Creek Road approximately 20. 3 miles from Pine Cliff Recreation Area. Parking along road.
Camping is allowed anywhere along the Neusiok Trail except in the designated Pine Cliff Recreation Area. Three primitive, three-sided shelters with raised wood floors are located along the trail. They accommodate 4 to 5 hikers.
• Copperhead Landing shelter is located 3.75 miles from Pine Cliff Recreation Area.
• Dogwood Camp Shelter is located about .75 miles south of Highway 101. It is 10.5 miles from Pine Cliff Recreation Area.
• Blackjack Lodge is located approximately .75 miles north of Mill Creek Road. It is approximately 19.6 miles from Pine Cliff Recreation Area.
Oyster Point Campground is the terminus of the trail section and the southern trailhead of the Neusiok Trail. Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, Oyster Point Campground has 16 campsites, toilets, and picnic tables. Parking is available. Oyster Point Campground is 22.08 miles from Pine Cliff Recreation Area.
Resources
North Carolina Ferry Schedules http://www.ncdot.org/travel/ferryroutes/
Croatan National Forest http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/
NC Natural Website about the Croatan National Forest http://ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Croatan/index.html
Carteret Wildlife Club information about the Neusiok Trail http://www.clis.com/canoe2/neusioktrail.html
Neusiok Trail website http://www.neusioktrail.org/
http://ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Croatan/index.html
New Bern & Craven County Chamber of Commerce http://www.visitnewbern.com/
Carteret County Chamber of Commerce http://www.nccoastchamber.com/
Volunteer Task Force Leader:
Neusiok Task Force: Carteret Wildlife Club, Susan Simpson susanwsimpson@hotmail.com Join them!
