Pocosin Lakes Refugewinter wildlife
On the refuge's Pungo Unit, the waterfowl season, with tundra swans, snow geese and ducks, runs from November through February, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (Nov 1–Feb 28). No official report yet this season.
Right now in Pocosin Lakes Refuge · September
- Pungo Unit may close on certain Fridays and Saturdays for permit-only deer hunts · Sep–Oct
- Boating on New Lake · Feb–Nov
34days to the next winter wildlife seasonNov 1–Feb 28, local timing
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Boating on New LakeNowFeb–Nov
- Pungo Unit may close on certain Fridays and Saturdays for permit-only deer huntsNowSep–Oct
- Waterfowl season on the Pungo Unit: tundra swans, snow geese and ducksNov–Feb
- Pungo Unit fields and moist-soil units closed to all entry; some roads closed to vehiclesNov–Feb
Where to watch
- Duck Pen Wildlife Trail (Pungo Unit)0.55 mile one way on gravel through swamp forest to a photography blind over Pungo Lake, where thousands of swans and geese rest in winter. Park at the pull-off on South Lake Road without blocking the gate; no dogs
- North Pungo Lake Access Road Trail (Pungo Unit)A short 0.15-mile natural-surface path to a viewing area at the north end of Pungo Lake, where thousands of swans and geese rest in winter
Pocosin Lakes Refuge in pictures
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pocosin Lakes NWR: Birding (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pocosin Lakes NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pocosin Lakes NWR: Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge?
On the refuge's Pungo Unit, the waterfowl season, with tundra swans, snow geese and ducks, runs from November through February, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: Nov 1–Feb 28. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it wildlife season at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: the winter wildlife season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 34 days (Nov 1–Feb 28, local timing).
Where do I go to see the swans?
The Pungo Unit, off Highway 45 about 18 miles south of Plymouth. An information kiosk with maps of the unit stands where Highway 45 meets Pat's Road and Refuge Road. The visitor center is elsewhere, in Columbia.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pocosin Lakes NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I walk into the fields to get closer?
No. From November through February every farm field and moist-soil unit on the Pungo Unit is closed to all entry, and some open roads there are closed to vehicles, to keep from disturbing the waterfowl. Watch from the designated viewing spots.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pocosin Lakes NWR: Birding ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pocosin Lakes NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What are the roads like?
All of the Pungo Unit's roughly 44 miles of road are dirt: slippery and rough when wet, dusty when dry. Some can close for a while when they become impassable, and some carry weight limits too low for anything heavier than a typical pickup or standard SUV. Call the refuge office for current road closures.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pocosin Lakes NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the refuge open?
In daylight only, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pocosin Lakes NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog?
Not on the Duck Pen Wildlife Trail. Elsewhere on the refuge, pets must be confined or on a leash no longer than 10 feet and under your control.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pocosin Lakes NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pocosin Lakes NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge?
Duck Pen Wildlife Trail (Pungo Unit): 0.55 mile one way on gravel through swamp forest to a photography blind over Pungo Lake, where thousands of swans and geese rest in winter. Park at the pull-off on South Lake Road without blocking the gate; no dogs; North Pungo Lake Access Road Trail (Pungo Unit): a short 0.15-mile natural-surface path to a viewing area at the north end of Pungo Lake, where thousands of swans and geese rest in winter.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge?
Pungo Unit fields and moist-soil units closed to all entry; some roads closed to vehicles (Nov–Feb); Pungo Unit may close on certain Fridays and Saturdays for permit-only deer hunts (Sep–Oct).
What is Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Waterfowl season on the Pungo Unit: tundra swans, snow geese and ducks (Nov–Feb), Pungo Unit fields and moist-soil units closed to all entry; some roads closed to vehicles (Nov–Feb), Pungo Unit may close on certain Fridays and Saturdays for permit-only deer hunts (Sep–Oct) and Boating on New Lake (Feb–Nov).