Wildlife Refuges
South Carolina has over 20 designated wildlife refuges that are recognized as some of the finest refuges in the nation. These refuges seek to protect mixed hardwoods, mixed pine-hardwood, pine plantations, marsh, croplands, old fields, ponds, impoundments, and open waters located throughout South Carolina.
The refuges also seek to provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and provide protection for endangered and threatened species including the bald eagle, red wolves, the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, American alligator and more.
During the winter months, the bald eagle and occasionally the endangered peregrine falcon can be seen. From November through February migrating waterfowl such as mallards, pintails, teal and wood ducks along with Canada geese are a major attraction. Throughout the year red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks can be viewed soaring overhead, as can a variety of songbirds in the trees, and wild turkey.
For casual sightseers some of the forests also provide a home for white-tailed deer and other woodland creatures such as raccoons, squirrels and bobcats. The ponds and marshes provide a home for alligators plus a number of other reptiles and amphibians.
Add a Wildlife Refuge to your South Carolina vacation planner by clicking on the "Add" icon beside a park listing below.
| |
Location |
Trip Planner |
|
At least 20 Carolina bays are found on this 9,393-acre preserve, which provides habitat for Venus flytrap, yellow pitcher plants, native orchids, black bear, bald eagles, and red-cockaded woodpeckers. The visitor will find the most plant diversity along the ecotones at the edge of the bays. In this nutrient poor environment, some plant species survive by eating insects. Hunting is allowed.
|
 Conway |
Add
|
|
This preserve is best explored in a canoe or kayak. Floodplain forests and oxbow lakes characterize the four tracts of this state preserve, which protects about 9,000 acres of forestland and beautiful blackwater river scenery.
|
Galivants Ferry |
Add
|
|
This world-famous plantation has been associated with the Drayton family since its founding in 1676. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it includes the country's oldest garden (c.1680), and a Reconstruction-era plantation manor with a famous collection of antiques. The garden features the Barbados Tropical Garden, a nature train tour, a petting zoo, wildlife observation tower, nature trails, wildlife art gallery, an 18th-century herb garden, a Biblical garden, horticultural maze and antebellum cabin. The Audubon Swamp Garden offers 60 acres of the primeval beauty of blackwater cypress and tupelo swamp, traversed by bridges, boardwalks and dikes. A 45-minute nature boat tour takes visitors through ancient rice fields.
.
|
 Charleston |
Add
|
|
An 18th-century rice plantation and National Historic Landmark comprising America’s oldest landscaped Gardens, the Middleton Place House Museum and the Plantation Stableyards. The Gardens reflect the elegant symmetry of 17th century European design. Guided tours of the House Museum interpret the Middletons’ vital role in American history. In the Plantation Stableyards, craftspeople including a blacksmith, potter, carpenter and weaver, recreate the activities of a self-sustaining Low Country plantation. The Middleton Place Restaurant serves lunch daily from 11am-3pm to visitors of the property; dinner is served to the public Sunday, Tuesday - Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Garden Market and Nursery offers rare Middleton Camellia Japonicas and Middleton Oak seedlings, annuals, perennials, herbs, as well as gardening accessories, plantation crafted wares, specialty foods, and picnic lunches. The Museum Shop features books of regional interest, artwork, specialty foods, jewelry and more.
Middleton Place was the home of Henry Middleton, President of the First Continental Congress, and his son, Arthur Middleton, signer of the Declaration of Independence. The gardens were begun in 1741 by Henry Middleton and restored by Middleton descendants. These gardens contain the oldest camellias in the new world, planted in 1786 by French botanist Andre Michaux. The Middleton Oak, whose age is estimated at nearly 1000 years, the rice mill and pond, the butterfly lakes and the tomb of Arthur Middleton are on the property.
|
Charleston |
Add
|
|
Established in 1975, this property once included in the plantation of Major General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a prominent lawyer active in South Carolina politics 1801-1815. The 4,053-acre refuge includes Pinckney Island, the largest of the refuge's islands and the only one open to public use. The refuge consists of salt marsh, tidal creeks, freshwater ponds and a wide variety of land types are found on Pinckney Island, habitats that support a diversity of bird and plant life. Studying, viewing and photographing the island's wildlife and scenery are popular activities throughout the year. Over 14 miles of trails are open to hiking and bicycling. No motorized vehicles are allowed north of the public parking lot.
|
 Hilton Head Island |
Add
|
|
A 1,296-foot boardwalk leads far from the highway into the Pocotaligo Swamp, where wildlife is abundant. Birding is also enjoyed here. Enjoy cypress trees draped with Spanish Moss in this quiet natural area. Boardwalk is handicapped accessible.
|
 Manning |
Add
|
|
Owned by the University of South Carolina Beaufort, Pritchards Island is a remote barrier island located between Hilton Head and Hunting Island State Park. Accessible only by boat, overnight visitors are accomodated at the modern and fully equipped "Phillip Rhodes Barrier Island Research Facility", which has a maximum capacity of 18. Explore uninhabited beaches and pristine maritime forest. Surf fishing is excellent in the summer and fall. Summer participants assist with the loggerhead sea turtle project, which includes nightly walks, assisting with tagging and measuring of turtles, and nest relocation. Events may range from family workshops, beach sweeps, photography workshops, and artist retreats...a great place to learn to value and protect those fragile ecosystems on our planet!! Educational programs for ages 7 through adult are available. Reservations are in October, and the facility fills up quickly, so plan early.
|
Beaufort |
Add
|
|
This 24,000-acre reserve is a Wildlife Management Area that includes two barrier islands accessible only by boat. There are four trails: bike/hiking trail - a 7.2 mile trail through old rice field impoundments; the marshland trail - a 2.9 mile trail with an 800-ft. boardwalk into a freshwater cypress swamp; and a woodland trail - a 1.1 mile trail through pine forests. The canoe trail is 4.25 miles and visitors should call ahead for closures due to water levels.
|
McClellanville |
Add
|
|
This 15,000-acre refuge lies within the Atlantic Coastal Plain and includes mixed hardwoods, pine plantations, marsh, croplands, old fields, ponds, impoundments, and open water. Four management units of the refuge stretch over 18 miles along the northern shore of Lake Marion supporting an array of habitats and wildlife including alligators, numerous reptile & amphibians, 300 birds (bald eagle, osprey, waterfowl, numerous shore and wading birds, painted buntings). Hunting and fishing are other activities here.
|
Summerton |
Add
|
|
Established in 1927, the 22,940-acre refuge lies along the Savannah River, protecting numerous kinds of wildlife, from Whitetail deer to alligators. Evidence of the rice industry is found in the refuge with its rice levee remains, foundations of slave quarters, old mill sites and small graveyards. A four-mile driving tour along the refuge levees is open to the public. The tract is known as one of the outstanding refuges along the Atlantic Flyway, which extends from Canada to the Caribbean.
|
 Hardeeville |
Add
|