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South Carolina > South Carolina National Wildlife Refuges

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South Carolina National Wildlife Refuges

ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge- Ace Basin is located 25 miles south of Charleston. ACE Basin represents one of the largest undeveloped wetland ecosystems remaining on the Atlantic coast. Opportunities include hiking the nature trails, deer hunting, waterfowl hunting, and photography.
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge- Cape Romain is located up the coast from Charleston. The refuge, including Bulls Island, is accessible by boat only. The Refuge harbors the largest wintering populations of American oystercatchers and marbled godwits in the U.S., and is recognized as an International Site for shorebirds.
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge- Thirty ponds and lakes dot the 1,400 acres of fields and forests and 42,000 acres of woodlands on the Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is one of the southeast's premier sites for viewing the rapidly diminishing longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge- Two of the island's freshwater ponds were ranked in the top twenty wading bird colony sites of the South Carolina Coastal Plain during 1989 and 1996. Waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors and neotropical migrants are commonly seen on the refuge.
Santee National Wildlife Refuge- Santee NWR is located in east-central South Carolina. Santee is well known for its fishing and hunting opportunities for largemouth, white, and striped bass, crappie, catfish, white-tailed deer, raccoon, and rabbit.
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge- Savannah NWR is located, in Chatham and Effingham Counties, Georgia, and Jasper County, South Carolina, on the lower Savannah River between mile markers 18 and 40. The port city of Savannah lies downstream of the refuge.
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge- The Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge includes portions of the Great Pee Dee, Little Pee Dee and Waccamaw Rivers between Georgetown and Myrtle Beach. Habitats range from black water forested wetlands to tidal forested and emergent wetlands.

Activity Locator:

All South Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Outdoor Recreation Activities

General Information

Bull Island Trail, in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

Description - The Wildlife Refuges in South Carolina cover areas of upland forests, wetland forests, marshlands, rivers, coastal estuaries and more. These refuges provide essential habitat for wildlife and fish populations. Most were established to protect and enhance wetlands for the conservation of migratory birds; some were established to provide habitat for the Nation's endangered species. The refuges listed here all offer public use opportunities.

Recreation - The goal of the refuges is to provide quality hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and enjoyment for the public. Several of the refuges offer excellent bird-watching opportunities.

Climate - South Carolina generally has a temperate climate, with cool winters and warm, humid summers. Thunderstorms are possible throughout the year but most common in the spring and summer. Tropical storms occasionally strike the coast during the hurricane season.

Location - The National Wildlife Refuges in South Carolina are located in the eastern half of the state, mostly along or near the coast. The Carolina Sandhills, located 60 miles northeast of Columbia, is the farthest inland.

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More Information

Additional Information:
South Carolina - South Carolina terrain encompasses white sand beaches, barrier islands, hardwood forests, colonial plantations and moss-covered trees. Recreation enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities in this state.

Links:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service South Carolina website.