Backpack Trail Guide

Trails / North Carolina / Piedmont and Coast

Neusiok Trail

Croatan National Forest (Pine Cliff Recreation Area to Oyster Point, near Havelock and Newport)

The Neusiok Trail crosses the Croatan National Forest between the Neuse River and the Newport River estuary, through cypress swamps, longleaf pine savannas, and pocosins. Wikipedia lists it at 20.4 miles, and the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail call it the longest hiking path in eastern North Carolina; it is also part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

The Carteret County Wildlife Club built it in 1971 with the Forest Service and still helps maintain it. The name comes from local Native Americans, first recorded in English in 1584, and also gave the Neuse River its name, according to Wikipedia.

The hike

From Pine Cliff Recreation Area on the Neuse, Backpacker’s route follows the sandy riverbank and Neusiok Creek for about 1.7 miles before heading inland and south. Great Outdoor Provision describes the northern 6.7 miles as coastal forest and swampy wetland with long boardwalks. This is the section the Forest Service lists as temporarily closed after Hurricane Florence, and a 2026 forest order closes Pine Cliff Recreation Area itself through May 1, 2029; the Friends of the MST say a new, slightly longer route replaced the impassable original.

South of NC 306, the Friends of the MST give 2.9 miles to NC 101 and 3.4 more to Billfinger Road, with Dogwood Camp less than a mile south of NC 101 (Wikipedia). The trail continues past Deep Creek Road and Alligator Tram Road. Wikipedia describes Dogwood Camp as the largest shelter site, with poles for up to five hammocks and about five flat tent spots. Copperhead Landing, the northernmost shelter, is small and densely wooded, and Wikipedia places it about halfway between Pine Cliff and NC 306, inside the section listed as closed.

Near the south end, Blackjack Lodge sits in pine forest about a mile north of Mill Creek Road. The trail ends at the salt marsh beside Oyster Point Campground on the Newport River; the Friends of the MST give 1.7 miles from Mill Creek Road to Oyster Point.

Backpacker suggests three days and October through May, with late spring best for wildlife and carnivorous plants such as Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and sundews. It notes alligators under the boardwalks, most active in spring and fall. Wikipedia recommends October through March for fewer bugs and snakes and warns that hikers may need to wade even with bridges and boardwalks.

Several roads cross the trail, so it’s easy to shorten. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail continues west across the state to the mountains, passing the backcountry sites at Stone Mountain State Park.

Tips

Camping

The three shelters, Copperhead Landing, Dogwood Camp, and Blackjack Lodge, are three-sided with fire grills and fit about three people each, according to Wikipedia; they are first come, first served. Backpacker says Blackjack Lodge sleeps four and has flat ground nearby. No permit is required (Backpacker). Camping isn’t allowed at Pine Cliff (now closed under a Forest Service order through May 1, 2029), and Oyster Point Campground at the south end has 15 sites and vault toilets. Hunting is banned within 150 yards of campsites and recreation areas (Wikipedia). Dogs must be leashed (Forest Service).

Inside Intel: Backpacker recommends Blackjack Lodge over the other shelters on its route, and also describes a secluded site by an unnamed tannin-colored pool around mile 13.2 of its route, with room for three tents and water that’s drinkable once filtered.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

Dinner at Dogwood Camp:

The Neusiok's largest shelter site sits in coastal pine woods with no reliable tap nearby, so a meal that needs little filtered water helps. See which camp meals testers like.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.