Located in the eastern part of North Carolina between New Bern and Emerald Isle, the Croatan National Forest features coastal and inland swamp habitats. It is perhaps not a forest suited for everyone, but it is a very attractive area to fishermen and hunters. There are hiking trails, boat launches, campgrounds and day-use areas.

Significant natural features include pocosin habitat, estuaries and a large number of carnivorous plants. The name pocosin refers to an elevated swamp, literally "swamp on a hill". Estuaries are the areas at the lower ends of rivers where fresh water meets salt water and is influenced by tides. 95% of all ocean life either originates in or is dependent upon estuaries. The Croatan Forest is home to the largest collection of Carnivorous plants in any National Forest and it is near the northern range limit of the American Alligator. It also has an amazing collection of bugs, including mosquitoes and horseflies. Much of the forest is characterized swampy habitat with thick underbrush.

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