Cedar Point Recreation Area


Area Status: Open

The Cedar Point Recreation Area, near the mouth of the White Oak River, is surrounded by a salt marsh and a coastal forest.  The salt marsh, where fresh water meets salt water, stretches out like a sea of grass.  This nutrient-rich wetland is a valuable "nursery" for commercial seafood, including fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters.

A small-craft boat ramp and fishing pier provides easy access to the river and its bounty. The shallow water is suited to flat-bottom boats. Canoes and kayaks can navigate the maze of canals through the salt march. From the boat ramp, paddle around the point, then pass under the boardwalk of the Tideland Trail. Be aware of the tides; an extremely low tide can leave some canals dry. The loop is shown on the map is about 2 miles and can be completed in half a day.

The campground has 36 sites with electrical hookups, a bathhouse with flush toilets, warm showers, drinking water and a ramp for shallow water boats. Picnic tables are nearby. The Cedar Point Tideland Trail crosses boardwalks to explore the salt marsh and the life above and beneath.

 

Common birds around the salt marsh:

Osprey*, Red-tail hawk, Turkey vulture, Fish crow, Common egret, Snowy egret, Great blue heron, Tri-colored heron, Little blue heron, Red-winged blackbird, Boat-tail grackle, Belted kingfisher.

Common birds in the forest:

Carolina chikadee, Brown-headed nuthatch, Tufted titmouse, Northern mockingbird, Brown thrasher, Caolinawren, Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Pine warbler, Northern cardinal, Rufous-sided tewhee, Eastern bluebird, Red-bellied woodpecker, Red-headed woodpecker, Pileated woodpecker

*Mostly Mar-Oct. All others are year-round residents

Common Mammals:

White-tailed deer, Raccoon

Other Common Wildlife:

Marsh periwinkle, Fiddler crabs, Blue crabs, Oysters, Mud crabs, numerous insects, Green anole lizard, Eastern fence lizard.

Check out the brochure.

At a Glance

Operational Hours: Recreation area and boat ramp open sunrise to sunset.
Reservations: Reservations available
Fees: Single site camping fee per night: $20 plus a $7 electrical fee.  Double site camping fee per night: $40 plus a $14 electric fee. All sites have electrical.
Open Season: Open all year
Restrictions: Overflow parking for rec area not available in campground.
Water: Drinking Water
Restroom: Flush Toilets

General Information

Accessibility:

All facilities are fully accessible.


Directions:

From Swansboro, take NC 24E, cross White Oak River, turn left onto NC 58N, go 3.3 miles, turn left on VFW Rd. Go 0.5 miles and turn left on FR 153A at Cedar Point sign.


General Notes:

Croatan Ranger District
District Ranger, Rondall Hudson
141 E. Fisher Avenue
New Bern, NC  28560
(252) 638-5628


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:

RV Camping

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Group Camping

Recreation areas with activity Group Camping:

Salt Water Fishing

Recreation areas with activity Salt Water Fishing:

River and Stream Fishing

Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

Viewing Wildlife

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:

Viewing Plants

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Plants:

Viewing Scenery

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:

Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:

Boating - Motorized

Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:

Boating - Non-Motorized

Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
34.691856

  Longitude : 
-77.086202