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?
Fall in South Carolina
- USUAL PEAK · FALL FOLIAGECongaree National ParkBetween the end of October and early NovemberSouth Carolina
“between the end of October and early November” · National Park Service ↗
Also good in fall
- Carolina Sandhills RefugeMigrating ducks and geese, October to early March
- Congaree National ParkPaddling on Cedar Creek
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in South Carolina
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFECarolina Sandhills RefugeOctober through early MarchSouth Carolina
“October through early March” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFESantee RefugeNovember through February, with the peak in JanuarySouth Carolina
“November through February, with the peak in January” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- More winter wildlife:Savannah Refuge
Also 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)
- Savannah RefugeWaterfowl viewing, especially good in December and January
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after winter
“between the end of October and early November” · National Park Service ↗
Spring in South Carolina
Also good in spring
- Carolina Sandhills RefugePeak butterfly watching, April through October
- Congaree National ParkSynchronous fireflies (about two weeks)
- Pinckney Island RefugeThousands of colonial nesting birds at Ibis Pond on the manager's recommended May ride
- Santee RefugeSpring songbird migration: buntings return and warblers pass through, April–May
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after spring
“between the end of October and early November” · National Park Service ↗
Summer in South Carolina
- SEASON · SYNCHRONOUS FIREFLIESCongaree National ParkAbout two weeks between mid-May and mid-JuneSouth Carolina
“about two weeks between mid-May and mid-June” · National Park Service ↗
Also good in summer
- Carolina Sandhills RefugePeak butterfly watching, April through October
- Congaree National ParkSynchronous fireflies (about two weeks)
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after summer
“between the end of October and early November” · National Park Service ↗
Places in South Carolina
- Spring
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Planning a South Carolina trip
Towns to stay in
- Charleston, SCSantee Refuge · 55 mi
- Columbia, SCCongaree National Park · 16 mi
- Greenville, SCPisgah National Forest · 35 mi
- Florence, SCCarolina Sandhills Refuge · 33 mi
- Myrtle Beach, SCSantee Refuge · 90 mi
- Hilton Head Island, SCPinckney Island Refuge · 4 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Current park alerts (NPS)
- Congaree National Park: Being Prepared for Excessive Heat & Humidity ↗
- Congaree National Park: Paddling Conditions ↗
Browse by season and event
- Wildlife by season · 2 places hereWildlife by season, everywhere →
- Winter wildlife · 3 places hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
- Synchronous fireflies · 1 place hereSynchronous fireflies, everywhere →
- Fall foliage · 1 place hereFall foliage, everywhere →
Questions people ask
How close can I get to the woodpeckers at Carolina Sandhills Refuge?
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 at Carolina Sandhills Refuge?
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)
When is the refuge open at Carolina Sandhills Refuge?
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)
Can I drive around the refuge at Carolina Sandhills Refuge?
Yes. The paved Visitors Drive and about 140 miles of earthen and gravel roads are open to vehicles, except roads marked "Authorized Vehicles Only" or blocked. Please don't block refuge gates.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carolina Sandhills NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do I get a pass, and what does it cost at Congaree National Park?
Passes come by lottery on Recreation.gov, one entry per household, in early April. It's $1 to enter and $24 more if you win, $25 in all. In 2026 there were 145 passes a night, each for one car with up to 8 people; RVs, trailers, big vans and buses aren't admitted.Source: National Park Service, Congaree fireflies ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What time is best at Congaree National Park?
Just after dark, usually between 9 and 10 p.m. In 2026 the gates let pass holders in from 7 to 8:30 p.m.Source: National Park Service, Congaree fireflies ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: North Carolina · Alabama · Tennessee
South Carolina in pictures
How we know
- Sep 28Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: ducks and geese October to early March, butterflies April to OctoberSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carolina Sandhills NWR: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceSynchronous fireflies about two weeks between mid-May and mid-June every yearSource (opens National Park Service, Congaree fireflies in a new tab)
- Sep 27ReferenceFall color peaks end of October to early November; seasons by monthSource (opens National Park Service, Congaree weather and seasons in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceRefuge managers' one-hour tips; Harris Neck: Woody Pond early March to AugustSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service story: The Wildlife Refuges of I-95 in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceRefuge overview and month-by-month wildlife calendar (a general guide; weather may cause slight variations).Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santee NWR general brochure (June 2023) in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceSeasonal wildlife notes; winter waterfowl viewing best in December and January.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Savannah NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.