Covering about 33,450 acres (13,540 ha), it is the largest state owned forest in North Carolina.

The vast majority of the forest is in the Game Lands Program, which is administered by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

[2][3] It is an active partner in the Forest Stewardship Program contributing significantly to the regions clean water and air, protection of the soil, wildlife habitat, recreational resources and timber supplies.

The general public is invited to visit the forest and enjoy the scenery and multitude of landscape features, like the Carolina bays, pocosins, sand ridges, river bottoms and swamps.

Street legal vehicles can be used on the 100+ miles of roads and trails as long as these are not behind closed gates.