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.
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This 10-acre public garden features a series of ponds, walking trails, and an abundance of perennials and shrubs. A native woodland of mixed hardwoods offers a diverse population of wildlife. Activities include a self-guided tour of the garden, plant identification, wildlife observation with facilities for picnics and nature studies.
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 Spartanburg |
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Once home to the Waccamaw Indians, this Colonial land grant was divided into 14 plantations by 1865. With the decline of the rice cultivation, Hobcaw was bought by Bernard M. Baruch, a Wall Street financier and presidential advisor, who used it as a winter hunting retreat. Baruch's daughter, Belle, later owned the 17,500-acre estate. At her death, the Belle W. Baruch Foundation was created to operate Hobcaw Barony as a center for environmental research.
The Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center features exhibits on local history and ecology, and has a 1200 gallon saltwater aquarium holding native species. The property's history is interpreted through Indian artifacts, exhibits on naval stores and rice cultivation, and Baruch family archives.
Public access is limited to guided tours and programs. A three-hour van tour includes the interior of Hobcaw House, the 1930s hunting lodge over looking Winyah Bay; the grounds of Bellefield Plantation, and Friendfield Village, the only existing slave village on the Waccamaw Neck; and views of the river, bay and salt marsh.
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 Georgetown |
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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.
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 Conway |
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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.
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Galivants Ferry |
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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. A 45 minute "From Slavery to Freedom" tour at the restored slave cabins.
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 Charleston |
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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.
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Charleston |
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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.
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 Hilton Head Island |
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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.
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 Manning |
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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.
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Beaufort |
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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.
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McClellanville |
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