Great Lake Dispersed Site - Croatan National Forest

You can access Great lake with an Atv or SXS. There are passable trails past the barricades but you will need a capable 4x4 to get thru. The lake is virtually untouched and the roads were still in good shape.

The path is blocked at about halfway down by concrete barriers and downed trees. So I pulled my Ford Ranger in the pines beside the path and slept there.

We tried to camp here but all the access roads were closed due to hurricane damage. They looked have been closed for a long time. In a pinch we found a camp spot nearby at Catfish Lake. The road in was easy but it was extremely trashy with lots of shotgun shells on the ground. Lots of people showed up to trap shoot nearby so we had to keep going over to let them know we were there.

Dispersed camping deep in the national forest. A native long leaf pine forest in a swampy alligator habitat with some nice lakes. Lots of roads closed from hurricane damage, so don't trust Google maps. The dirt roads were not maintained and ridiculously bumpy and unmanageable for smaller cars. There are alligators, bears, way too many ticks, mosquitos and a ridiculous amount of shotgun shells. It definitely felt dangerous. Would not recommend tent camping, but great for an RV if you can figure out where to park.

This is not a”campground” per se, but rather a large area of national forest where dispersed camping is allowed. This is about as close to nature as it gets! All primitive camping, no amenities at all. Beautiful natural surroundings. Watch out for snakes and alligators!

Lots of trails and beautiful pines. Pitcher plants and Venus fly traps, Camp any where you want, Bring everything because it is not a campground as such. Wilderness area Lots of mosquitoes