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South Carolina

When to catch Carolina Sandhills Refugeat its best

Carolina Sandhills Refuge through the year: wildlife by season (3 separate phases, from April through October) and winter wildlife (local timing: October through early March). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat showers and thunderstorms likely, 87°F · Sun showers and thunderstorms likely, 75°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Fall at Carolina Sandhills Refuge

Good in fall

  • Migrating ducks and geese, October to early March

From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.

Nearby in fall

Where to go at Carolina Sandhills Refuge

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Spring
  • Fall
  • Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Wildlife by season

  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker Viewing Area (Pool A Recreation Area)An observation area in open, park-like longleaf pine with grasses and wildflowers underneath; stay at least 100 feet from the cavity trees, which are marked with a white band of paint at eye levelU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Oxpen Recreation AreaHome to a variety of wildflowers, with a large population of pitcher plants in the seepage bog near Oxpen Lake 1 and an observation deck with a scenic viewU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Woodland Pond Trail and Longleaf Pine Interpretive Trail (Pool A)Woodland Pond Trail is one mile through wetlands, upland pine and a small open area, good for songbirds; it connects across the Wildlife Drive with the quarter-mile Longleaf Pine Interpretive TrailU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Winter wildlife

  • Oxpen Recreation AreaWaterfowl, hawks, turkey and deer; an observation deck gives a scenic view near Oxpen Lake 1, reached by refuge roadsU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Lake Bee Recreation AreaGood birding along the lake edge, with picnic shelters and restrooms; nearby Pool H and Triple Lakes host wood ducks and other waterfowl in seasonU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Next 7 days at Carolina Sandhills Refuge

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodaySunny87° / 62°–
  • ThuPatchy Fog then Sunny88° / 65°–
  • FriSunny91° / 69°6% rain
  • SatShowers And Thunderstorms Likely87° / 65°61% rain
  • SunShowers And Thunderstorms Likely75° / 62°70% rain
  • MonChance Rain Showers72° / 53°50% rain
  • TueMostly Sunny68° / 47°8% rain

Today: sunrise 7:15 a.m., sunset 7:08 p.m., light until 7:33 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

Carolina Sandhills Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
Longleaf pines in the refuge's longleaf pine forest
Longleaf pine at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, May 15, 2023. Photo: Allyne Askins/USFWS · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

How close can I get to the woodpeckers?

Stay at least 100 feet from the cavity trees to keep from disturbing these endangered birds. Every known activity tree is marked with a white band of paint at eye level.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carolina Sandhills NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I pick the wildflowers?

No. Please don't pick flowers or remove any plants; the refuge's trails are for foot traffic only.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carolina Sandhills NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I walk anywhere on the refuge?

Yes, every area is open on foot except those posted "Closed to Public Entry", and the paved Visitors Drive plus 140 miles of earthen and gravel roads are open to cars, except roads marked "Authorized Vehicles Only" or blocked.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carolina Sandhills NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is the refuge open?

From one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset, except areas posted closed. The office and visitor center is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carolina Sandhills NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 28