Carolina Sandhills
McBee, SC 29101-8662
Plan Your Visit
The refuge offers numerous opportunities and facilities for wildlife-dependent recreation such as hiking, bird watching, photography, and nature study including a paved drive, and 140 miles of earthen and gravel roads. Please see our general brochure to learn more about our refuge.
All refuge roads are open to vehicular traffic except those marked "Authorized Vehicles Only" or those that have been blocked. All areas of the refuge are open to foot traffic except those posted "Closed to Public Entry". Please do not block any refuge gates.
Recreation Areas
Lake Bee Recreation Area: Enjoy fishing, hiking, wildlife observation, and picnicking in this area. Three picnic shelters and dozens of tables, along with restrooms, are available. The lake edge provides good birding. The lake edge provides good birding. Notable plants and animals found in this area include brown-headed nuthatches, several carnivorous plants, and the rare Pine Barrens tree frog, which may be heard from the Pitcher Plant Overlook on the west end of the lake. Nearby Pool H and Triple Lakes host wood ducks and other waterfowl in appropriate seasons.
Martin’s Lake Recreation Area: Picnic table, trails, boat ramp, and accessible photo blind and overlook. The lake edges provide excellent conditions for observing wading birds, otters, and small mammals.
Oxpen Recreation Area: Home to white tailed deer, turkey, hawks, waterfowl, and small mammals. It is also a popular fishing area and home to a variety of wildflowers. The seepage bog near Oxpen Lake 1 includes a large population of pitcher plants. An observation deck provides a scenic view. Listen for the characteristic call of the bobwhite quail May through July.
Pool A Recreation Area:
- Woodland Pond Trail - One mile; passes through wetlands, upland pine habitat, and a small open area. Good area for songbirds; terminus connect with Longleaf Pine Interpretive Trail across the Wildlife Drive.
- Longleaf Pine Interpretive Trail - This 1/4 mile trail with interpretive signage focuses on the longleaf pine ecosystem.
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) Viewing Area - April through June, this observation area provides good opportunities for viewing red-cockaded woodpecker nesting and foraging activity. Please minimize disturbance to these endangered birds by staying at least 100 feet from cavity trees. All known activity trees are marked with a white band of paint at eye level. In addition, this area is an excellent example of the desired future conditions for the longleaf pine ecosystem - open, park-like habitat with multiple ages of longleaf pine and grasses, forbs and wildflowers as groundcover.
A free refuge permit is required for all hunts and must be carried while hunting and is not valid until signed. Permits are non-transferable.
Activities
Get Involved
Volunteering
Volunteers at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge can be an integral part of the staff. They assist with various projects such as conducting wildlife surveys, building kiosks for interpretive displays, or presenting interpretive programs. Their help has been instrumental in the accomplishment of numerous refuge projects and activities. Our volunteer program seeks to match the skills and interests of the volunteer with the work needed to be accomplished in order to achieve a productive partnership that will enhance visitor opportunities and help conserve the Refuge's natural resources.
Volunteers perform a wide variety of interesting tasks:
- Assisting with the installation of artificial nest cavities for the endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker
- Conducting fish and wildlife population surveys,
- Leading tours and providing information and interpretation to the visiting public,
- Performing clerical and administrative duties,
- Photographing a variety of natural and cultural resources,
- Assisting in forest management activities such as inventorying or marking trees for removal,
- Assisting with carpentry or maintenance work.
For more information on volunteer opportunities available at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, please contact the complex headquarters office at (843) 335-8350 or email the Volunteer Coordinator at carolinasandhills@fws.gov.
Internships
Carolina Sandhills NWR offers several internships annually through partner organization such the Student Conservation Association and the Forest Stewards Guild. If you are interested in augmenting your college education with field experience on a wildlife refuge, contact us by December for opportunities that begin in March, April or May. We have potential openings for students interested in forestry and wildlife biology. Internships provide free lodging and a modest stipend.
Education Programs
National Wildlife Refuges serve many purposes, and one of our most important roles is as outdoor classrooms to teach about wildlife and natural resources. Many refuges offer environmental education programs for a variety of audiences. Refuges provide unique and exciting outdoor environments – excellent locations for hands-on learning activities. Thousands of youth and adult groups visit every year to learn about a specific topic on wildlife, habitat, or ecological processes.
We periodically conduct environmental education programs for school children, civic organizations, and the general public, and would be happy to host your group at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge if staffing and scheduling allow. Please contact the Refuge office at (843)335-8350, or e-mail us at carolinasandhills@fws.gov to make arrangements for your group
Services
The refuge uses both cooperative and force-account agriculture to enhance areas for migratory birds and game species. The refuge uses several tools to accomplish habitat restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem including: prescribed burning, silvicultural practices such as planting and thinning trees, and application of herbicides to control unwanted, nonnative, or invasive species.
About
Established on March 17, 1939, Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge focuses on restoring habitats for migratory birds and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The refuge encompasses over 47,000 acres of the unique longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem in South Carolina's Sandhills region. Visitors can explore a mosaic of habitats, including rolling sand hills, wetlands, and open water ponds, which support a high diversity of plants and animals.
You can read more about the refuge in our general brochure.
