Recreation and
tourism is the third largest industry in North Carolina.
| Links of Interest in North Carolina | |||||
| Croatan National Forest | Crystal Coast | VisitNC.com | National Forests in NC | ||
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The Trent River which meanders through Jones County and continues through Craven County provides cruising, rafting, canoeing, kayaking and fishing. A favorite rendezvous site for boaters is the area of the river located at the Highway 17 overpass. The water depth from this point to the Neuse River varies from six (6) to thirty-five (35) feet. |
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For the most part both banks of the river are heavily wooded with some marsh areas providing a sanctuary for all types of birds and wildlife. Vessels from the United States Power Squadrons and other boating groups regularly take this leisurely two (2) hour cruise up to Pollocksville where they raft-up for a picnic lunch while enjoying nature's wonders. |
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Deep Water in Trent - The
River does accommodate vessels with deeper draft. Yachts as large as forty-two (42) feet in length often join the flotillas which regularly cruise here. The Town of Pollocksville has installed a new boat ramp
(photo on right) and a small picnic area in the vicinity making it more accessible for those who trailer their boats. A cruise up to Pollocksville is like venturing into another world where you are likely to see deer,
beavers, herons, egrets, rabbits, turtles , wild turkeys and many other species of birds.
Camping - There are two campgrounds within the Croatan National
Forest. Cedar Point provides forty (40) sites with the availability of flush toilets, hot showers, and public phones.
It, includes a lake and boat ramp. Power boating and sailing are permitted.
The Neuse River site provides 42 sites, eight with electricity. A lake for swimming is provided but water skiing and power boating are not allowed.
Potable water is available. Flush toilets, hot showers and public telephones are included.
Fish available in the Neuse River are Striped Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Flounder and Gars. A fishing license is required.
Water Sports - Jones County's endless countryside offers limitless opportunity for fishing, hiking, water skiing, boating, and hunting. There are forty (40) miles of streams and 4,300 acres of lakes in beautiful Croatan National Forest which covers the eastern part of the County.
Two fishermen at dusk on the placid Trent River, just one of the natural treasures available in Jones County, North Carolina.
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Great Fishing Year Round - Some of the greatest fishing by young and old takes place at the famous Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier, which stretches several hundred feet out into the
Atlantic Ocean. One can walk the sandy beaches for miles. If you are a boater, marinas in Swansboro are a short distance away. Want to go after the big game fish? Charter boats will take you out 20 miles off the Atlantic Shelf where the big fish give the sportsman a real challenge. And for those of you looking for real honest-to-goodness fresh seafood, here you will find it in abundance at the local restaurants. And of course for the young fry, there are scads of amusement parks with all sorts of rides and games to keep them busy. |
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Historic Home Tour - The Foscue Plantation House built in 1803-04 is open for tours. The house stood at the heart of a sprawling plantation, reputed to have covered up to 10,000 acres on the Trent River between New Bern and Pollocksville. Today, this tasteful example of Old South plantation life stands tall as a majestic reminder of the era. During the War Between the States, it served as a hospital for the Northern troops, and it was the only house left standing along what is now Highway 17. This home is available for viewing on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m and by appointment. Contact Rozelle Wicks (910) 743-5531 or Karen Adams (252) 637-7232. |
Pollocksville Rotary Club - Home of the Rotary Big Game Hunt
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Country Dreams is within a short drive of historical sites, golfing, beaches, trail rides, dining and shopping. Guests can relax by the pool, take a walk through the gardens or browse through a display of locally made arts and crafts. Breakfast is served to meet the guest's needs, starting with an eye opener beverage and a bite followed by a full meal when desired. 
Email: trgilmore@ec.rr.com |
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Cultural - For the cultural pallet, there is the Arts Council, the Historical Society, craft fairs and local festivals, all here for the choosing. Other recreational pursuits such as hay rides, a petting zoo for the children, historic homes and farm tours are added attractions.
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White Oak River |
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This paddle trail, the length of the White Oak River, is one of Jones County's most outstanding natural resources. Canoes, kayaks and shallow draft boats can navigate from the headwaters near Hoffman Forest South to Haywood Landing in the Croatan Forest and beyond Swansboro. There are camping areas along the way from Hoffman Forest to Swansboro. |
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Croatan Forest Hiking Trail
Members of the Carteret County Wildlife Club have completed marking a new 11-mile hiking trail in the western portion of the Croatan National Forest just off N.C. 58 in southern Jones County.
Provisionally known as the Weetock Trail, the new
pathway intersects Hwy. 58 in the Long Point area of the forest just north of the crossroads community of Kuhns and about seven miles north of Cape Carteret.
Weetock is the original Algonquian name of the White Oak River. Making almost a complete circle, the trail begins or ends on N.C. 58 just south of the Forest's Hillfield Road, proceeds west for almost two miles on low bluffs along Hunters Creek, then proceeds north for more than five miles to Haywood Landing.
It then traverses bluffs above Holston Creek about 3.5 miles east to the junction of N.C. 58 and the Haywood Landing Road.
Along its route, the trail passes through or borders hardwood ridges, cypress-gum-palmetto swamps, pine Flatwoods, beaver ponds, managed wildlife clearings, springs and creeks.
Archeological sites near the trail document man's history in the area and include Native American settlement sites, a cemetery dating to pre-Civil War days, and a giant sawdust pile from cutting the longleaf pine forests that originally covered the area.
Signs of bear and wild turkey are common along the trail, and alligators frequent the adjacent swamps and marshes. The informal campgrounds at Long Point and Haywood Landing lie on the trail.
Members of the Carteret County Wildlife Club expended over 275
man hours in surveying and marking the trail route.
The route is blazed with 1-inch by 5-inch reflective strips cut from aluminum sheeting. The same markers were used on the 22-mile Neusiok Trail in the eastern portion of the Croatan National Forest.
Although the new Weetock Trail is completely marked, some parts require further clearing. Trail users should not be discouraged by occasional brushy areas or down trees. Hikers encountering obstacles can expect improved conditions ahead.
Several areas along the trail have been cleared.
Numerous opportunities for Boy Scout, 4-H and other youth projects exist along the new trail.
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WILDLIFE - CROATAN FOREST
Effects of national forest management on adjacent land, resources and
communities - The four national forests are within an hour's drive of
approximately three-quarters of the over 7 million people who live in
North Carolina. National forest recreational areas complement
other public and private recreation facilities from the mountains in
western North Carolina to the Atlantic coast. Recreation and
tourism are
the third largest industry in North Carolina. |
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White Tailed Deer - Based on annual harvest figures provided by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the deer harvest continues to experience slight annual increases.
However, the projected rate of population increase still continues to lag behind habitat potential for much of the western mountain forests. Reasons may include lack of early seral habitat and poaching.
Reported deer harvest for the Uwharrie and Croatan National Forests appear to remain at much higher rates and appear to be stable. |
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Eastern Wild Turkey - Results of the 1997 survey by the Forest Service indicate below normal turkey poult production for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, and normal production for the Croatan and Uwharrie National Forests. The low poult observation is believed to be the result of an abnormally late, wet and cold spring, which resulted in poor poult survival for 1997. Reports from hunters indicated a very poor spring turkey season in the mountains in 1997. However, statewide the reported legal spring turkey harvest was generally up. The most notable increases in reported spring harvest came from the Croatan National Forest, which has just recently opened for spring turkey hunting. |
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Popular scenic stopping spot for tourists is the Old Mill Dam on Brock Pond. A number of ducks of various species make their home here. The peace and tranquility of the pond make it an ideal place to stop and let time pass.
Recreational Facilities
The recreational and sports facilities of Jones County are unlimited because of the rivers, ponds, and forests. Irvin S. Cobb once wrote of the Trent area that it offers "practically everything an outdoor man could ask." Fox hunting used to be popular, but deer, ducks, geese and quail are the favorite targets now. If you cannot till it or tax it, you sure can hunt on it, and that is what both natives and visitors do in Jones County.
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Fishing and horseback riding are just one of many recreation pursuits in the area. |
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County
Recreation Programs - The Jones County Recreational Program offers lots of activities for their youth, exercise for senior citizens and co-sponsor the county Special Olympics. |
Last Modified on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 05:24 PM
