Longleaf pine needles and pollen cones at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge (place context, not a butterfly or woodpecker photo). Photo: Allyne Askins/USFWS · public domain · resized; cropped to fit. Not current conditions.
Carolina Sandhills Refugewildlife
At Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for wildlife comes in 3 separate phases, each its own display, none of them a peak: Butterfly watching across the refuge, April through October; Red-cockaded woodpeckers nesting and foraging at the viewing area, April through June; and Bobwhite quail calling at Oxpen, May through July. No official report yet this season.
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Fishing season at Martin's Lake (catch and release), March 1 to October 31NowMar–Oct
- Peak butterfly watching, April through OctoberNowApr–Oct
- Red-cockaded woodpeckers nesting and foraging at the viewing area, April through JuneApr–Jun
- Bobwhite quail calling at Oxpen, May through JulyMay–Jul
- Migrating ducks and geese, October to early MarchOct–Mar
- April–OctoberButterfly watching across the refugeApril through October
- April–JuneRed-cockaded woodpeckers nesting and foraging at the viewing areaApril through June
- May–JulyBobwhite quail calling at OxpenMay through July
This week at Carolina Sandhills Refuge
Next 7 days
Sat, Oct 3: Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 86°F, low 67°F · 52% chance of rain
Sun, Oct 4: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, high 80°F, low 64°F · 56% chance of rain
No frost, strong wind or heavy rain in the forecast.
Updated Tue, Sep 29, 1:18 PM EDT, source: National Weather Service.
Today here · Tue, Sep 29
Sun: rises 7:15 a.m., sets 7:09 p.m.; civil twilight ends 7:34 p.m.
Moon tonight: waning gibbous, 87% lit (at 10 p.m.).
Sun and moon: our calculation, flat horizon. How these work
Where to watch
- 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 level
- 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 view
- 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 Trail
Nearby
- St. Marks Refuge378 mi3 separate phases, from May · starts soonTuSunnyWeSunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyThMostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyFrChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySuChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyMoShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likely
- National Key Deer Refuge683 mi3 separate phases, from May and JuneTuShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyWeShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyThShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyFrShowers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySuSlight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyMoSlight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likely
- Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge995 miLocal timing: late February through early April · starts in ~5 months
- Padre Island National Seashore1122 miAt one spot: mid-June through August · starts in ~9 months
Carolina Sandhills Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge?
In 3 separate phases: Butterfly watching across the refuge, April through October, Red-cockaded woodpeckers nesting and foraging at the viewing area, April through June and Bobwhite quail calling at Oxpen, May through July. They're separate displays, not one long season, and none of them is a peak.
Is it the season at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
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)
Where are the best spots in Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge?
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 level; Oxpen Recreation Area: home 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 view; 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 Trail.
What is Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Migrating ducks and geese, October to early March (Oct–Mar), Peak butterfly watching, April through October (Apr–Oct), Red-cockaded woodpeckers nesting and foraging at the viewing area, April through June (Apr–Jun), Bobwhite quail calling at Oxpen, May through July (May–Jul) and Fishing season at Martin's Lake (catch and release), March 1 to October 31 (Mar–Oct).
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carolina Sandhills NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carolina Sandhills NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)