Neusiok Trail
The Carteret County Wildlife Club (CCWC) and U.S. Forest Service have worked hand-in-hand since 1972 to build and maintain the Neusiok trail. The 22-mile walking trail (see U.S. Forest Service map) travels from the Neuse River to the Newport River. The Neusiok trail is part of the 1,175-mile N.C. Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
Suggested short hikes on sections of the Neusiok trail that start at points accessible to vehicles.
1. Horse trailer parking area on Pine Cliff Road, about 1 mile north of NC-306. This is the (temporary) northern terminus. From here, the trail winds south for about 7 miles until it reaches the NC-306 trail crossing. Stop at the Copperhead Landing shelter after about 3 miles and enjoy the view of Hancock Creek. Next to Still Gut bridge (34 deg 54'32.80" N and 76 deg 49'33.78" W), Jack-in-the-pulpit blooms in April. Galax, a plant generally associated with the mountains, is found along the trail south of Still Gut.
2. Trail parking area at NC-306, about 3 miles north of NC-101. From here, you can either go north toward the northern terminus or go south about 3 miles toward the NC-101 trail crossing.
3. Trail parking area at NC-101, about 5 miles east of Havelock. From here, you can go north to the NC-306 trail crossing or meander southeast about 3.5 miles to Billfinger Road. Look for longleaf pines marked with white painted bands near the trail along Billfinger Road. The paint indicates that the trees contain man-made nesting holes constructed to encourage red-cockaded woodpeckers to set up housekeeping. After about 2 miles, you will find Dogwood shelter, located at the approximate mid-point of the 22-mile trail. This shelter features hammock hanging posts and is a popular overnight campsite for hikers walking the entire trail. The beech grove south of Dogwood shelter almost becomes a cathedral if you happen to catch the sun shining through its mass of bright yellow leaves in the fall.
4. Billfinger Road (Forest Road 147), about a quarter mile from its intersection with Little Deep Creek Road (Forest Road 169). Little Deep Creek Road may be labeled as "Deep Creek Road" on some maps; it is the same road. From here, you can go northwest to the NC-101 trail crossing or go south about 1.5 miles, entirely on forest roads (Billfinger and Little Deep Creek) due to the overwhelming challenge of constructing a trail in the surrounding pocosin. Carnivorous plants bloom in the spring. Little Deep Creek Road is a straight stretch that bypasses impenetrable pocosin and the ditch that borders it reveals an array of flowering plants including orchids, bladderworts and pitcher plants in May and June.
5. Trail’s departure from Little Deep Creek Road (Forest Road 169), about 2 miles south of NC-101. From here, you can go north on Little Deep Creed Road and turn northwest onto Billfinger Road or go south about 3 miles following the trail through the forest toward Alligator Tram Road.
6. Trail crossing on Alligator Tram Road (Forest Road 124), about a mile west of Old Winberry Road. From here, you can go northwest toward Little Deep Creek Road or south about 2.5 miles toward Mill Creek Road. After about 1.5 miles, stop at the Blackjack shelter to relax for a few minutes. Pitcher plants and sundews can be found on the trail directly south of the Blackjack shelter.
7. Mill Creek Road trail crossing, about a quarter mile west of Old Winberry Road. From here, you can go north toward Alligator Tram Road or south about 2 miles toward Oyster Point Campground. NOTE: Be careful parking and unloading here. There is no parking area and the road's shoulder is narrow.
8. The Oyster Point Campground parking area, at the end of Forest Road 181, about 2 miles south of Mill Creek Road. This is the southern terminus of the Neusiok trail. If you start your hike here, you go north toward Mill Creek Road... and beyond!
Trail markings
The trail is marked with Forest Service blazes, both 3” orange discs with either an arrow or a hiker silhouette. In addition, you will see the Mountains-to-Sea Trail blaze, a 3” white circle, as well as the original one-inch-wide aluminum strips used by the Carteret County Wildlife Club for nearly 50 years.
Camping / rest areas
There are three designated camping areas, each with a shelter, picnic table, and fire ring. These are available on a first-come first-serve basis but may accommodate more than a single party of campers. The shelters are positioned to divide the trail in quarters. Copperhead Landing shelter is about halfway between Pine Cliff and NC-306. Dogwood shelter is less than a mile south of NC-101. Blackjack shelter is about one mile north of Mill Creek Road. There is a non-potable water source (stream or creek) near each shelter. These sites are primitive with no facilities (a shovel is provided to bury human waste). Leave it as clean as, or cleaner than, you found it (if you pack it in, you pack it out). Never leave a fire unattended and be sure it is completely out (douse with water) before leaving. If you do stop at a shelter, leave a note about your hike in the trail log book that hangs inside.
Unless otherwise marked, camping is also permitted anywhere in the forest, not just at the three shelter sites. Also, there is a 15-site campground with facilities at Oyster Point ($10 per for a single site), the trail's southern terminus.
Shuttle to, or from, your car
Shuttle service may be available from CCWC members Gene and Sue Huntsman. Call 252-447-4061 to check their availability. No charge but donations are appreciated and go toward trail maintenance.
Neusiok trail terminus directions
To the Pine Cliff horse trailer parking area (northern end of Neusiok trail). From Havelock, turn onto NC-101. Go 5.3 miles. Turn left at NC-306 (Ferry Road). Go 3.3 miles. Turn left on unpdaved Forest Service Road 132. Go 1.6 miles to Pine Cliff hiking and equestrian trailhead. Turn left into the parking area.
To Oyster Point terminus (southern end of trail). In Newport, follow Chatham Street for 2.8 miles to Market Street and turn left. Follow Market Street to Mill Creek Road. Go 7.1 miles, then turn right on Oyster Point Road. The trailhead is at the end of the road near Oyster Point Campground.