When you leave the Crystal Coast, the rest of Carteret County is taken up by the Croatan National Forest. Newport is in the southeastern corner of it; the larger town of Havelock, to the north, is smack in the middle. It contains elevated swamp habitat, salt marsh, estuaries and carniverous plants. The White Oak, Neuse and Newport rivers flow through the forest. As activities go, there are plenty of boat ramps, canoeing areas, fishing spots and trails, some of them self-guided.
