Nesting activity has begun for wood storks and other colonial nesting birds that inhabit Woody Pond. Because nesting birds are typically sensitive to disturbance, the perimeter of the pond, including the trail running along the east side of the pond, are closed annually to all visitor use beginning March 1 until nesting has ended. Signs will be posted around the pond to assist visitors in avoiding the closed areas.
Woody Pond Dike will remain open throughout the nesting season and provides great long-range views of the rookery. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars or a spotting scope to get a closer look.
West Woody Pond Trail will also remain open throughout the nesting season. However, walking east of this trail, towards the pond, is prohibited until the closure is lifted.
Visit Us
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of opportunities to explore and enjoy the great outdoors from sunrise to sunset every day. You can observe and photograph wildlife, fish, or during the season, hunt white-tailed deer.
Activities
A number of wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities are available to refuge visitors year-round including hiking, bicycling, wildlife observation and photography, fishing, and hunting during specified seasons.
Related Documents
Other Facilities in the Complex
Harris Neck NWR is one of seven refuges administered by the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex which is headquartered at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center located in Hardeeville, South Carolina.
Rules and Policies
There are many fun and interesting things to do and see during your visit to Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, but it is our job to ensure the habitat that our wildlife calls "home" is protected. Below are a few guidelines to help keep both visitors and wildlife safe.
- The refuge is open during daylight hours only; overnight use and/or camping (including campfires) are not permitted.
- Some areas may be closed seasonally to protect wildlife from human disturbance. Such areas are posted "Area Beyond This Sign Closed."
- Feeding, capturing, or harassing wildlife is strictly prohibited unless authorized by permit.
- Launching, landing, or disturbing of wildlife by aircraft (drones) on the refuge is prohibited.
- Dogs, cats, and other pets are not permitted on the refuge unless confined inside a vehicle.
- Picking or cutting vegetation is prohibited.
- All of the refuge's archaeological and natural resources are protected. Artifact hunting/collecting is not allowed.
- Automobiles must remain on the wildlife drive. Hikers and bicyclers are encouraged to stay on marked trails.
- Saltwater fishing and shellfishing are permitted in refuge tidal waters only.
- All freshwater ponds are closed to fishing.
- The refuge, unless otherwise posted, is open to hiking, biking, wildlife observation, interpretation, environmental education, and photography. It is also open, in certain areas and times of the year, to hunting and fishing; review refuge hunting and fishing regulations for details.
Locations
Harris Neck NWR is located just seven miles off of I-95 (Exit 67-South Newport) in McIntosh County, Georgia.
From I-95, take Exit 67 (South Newport) and turn south onto U.S. Highway 17, towards Darien/Brunswick. In less than a mile, turn left onto Harris Neck Road (just past the Smallest Church in America). Continue on Harris Neck Road for approximately 7 miles to the refuge entrance on your left.