State guide
When to catch South Carolinathrough the year
We follow 5 places in South Carolina for wildlife by season, winter wildlife, synchronous fireflies and fall foliage: fall at Congaree National Park, winter at Carolina Sandhills Refuge and Santee Refuge, spring at Carolina Sandhills Refuge and Pinckney Island Refuge and summer at Congaree National Park. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
When are you going?
Winter in South Carolina
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFEOctober through early MarchCarolina Sandhills Refuge · South Carolina
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFENovember through February, with the peak in JanuarySantee Refuge · South Carolina
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFEEspecially in December and JanuarySavannah Refuge · South Carolina
Good in winter
- Carolina Sandhills RefugeMigrating ducks and geese, October to early March
- Santee RefugeWinter ducks from November through February (wood ducks, pintails, teal, shovelers, ring-necked ducks)
- Santee RefugeWaterfowl concentrations peak in January, with ducks and coots in the impoundments and bays
- Santee RefugeSandhill cranes may be seen on the Bluff Unit in December
- Santee RefugeShorter gate hours at the Bluff and Cuddo units, 7 a.m.–5 p.m., October 1–February 28
- Savannah RefugeWaterfowl viewing, especially good in December and January
Open places and seasons from each place's sources; no peak claimed.
Spring in South Carolina
- PHASE · WILDLIFE BY SEASONApril through October, then 2 moreCarolina Sandhills Refuge · South Carolina
- ONE SPOT · WILDLIFE BY SEASONIn MayPinckney Island Refuge · South Carolina
Good in spring
- Carolina Sandhills RefugeMigrating ducks and geese, October to early March
- Carolina Sandhills RefugePeak butterfly watching, April through October
- Carolina Sandhills RefugeRed-cockaded woodpeckers nesting and foraging at the viewing area, April through June
- Carolina Sandhills RefugeBobwhite quail calling at Oxpen, May through July
- Carolina Sandhills RefugeFishing season at Martin's Lake (catch and release), March 1 to October 31
- Congaree National ParkOne of the best times to visit
Open places and seasons from each place's sources; no peak claimed.
Summer in South Carolina
Good in summer
- Carolina Sandhills RefugePeak butterfly watching, April through October
- Carolina Sandhills RefugeRed-cockaded woodpeckers nesting and foraging at the viewing area, April through June
- Carolina Sandhills RefugeBobwhite quail calling at Oxpen, May through July
- Carolina Sandhills RefugeFishing season at Martin's Lake (catch and release), March 1 to October 31
- Congaree National ParkSynchronous fireflies (about two weeks)
- Savannah RefugeFishing from small boats (non-motorized or electric) in the impoundments and canals, March 1–November 30
Open places and seasons from each place's sources; no peak claimed.
Places in South Carolina
- Spring
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Planning a South Carolina trip
Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · National Park Service · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service story: The Wildlife Refuges of I-95 · checked Sep 29 · How we know