CEDAR POINT CAMPGROUND

Cedar Point, at the mouth of the White Oak River, is bordered 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 habitat for commercial seafood, including fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters. The recreation area is part of the Croatan National Forest, a 160,000-acre tract on North Carolina's coast, bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and Bogue Sound.

Recreation: Canoeing and fishing are popular options. Power boating is allowed on the White Oak River. Visitors can hike the Tidelands National Trail, a 1.9-mile path divided in two loops that lend themselves to wildlife viewing. Ospreys and the occasional dolphin can be viewed along the loops. The recreation area is also home to a picnic area and shallow draft boat launch.

Nearby: The campground is a short drive from the developed barrier island town of Bogue Banks.