Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Hiking Trails

Looking for a fun place to hike with a pretty view? The Savannah NWR is the perfect spot!

savannah national wildlife refuge sc
Former rice field trunk system image by Allyson Jones.

Jasper County’s Savannah National Wildlife Refuge consists of 31,551 acres of freshwater marshes, tidal rivers and creeks, and bottomland hardwoods.  Well-maintained hiking trails wind throughout the refuge, giving hikers and bikers access to these former rice fields. Explore the nearly 40 miles of trails that are built on dikes that contained rice fields dating back to the early 1700’s.

savannah national wildlife refuge sc
Little Black River Trail image by Varnana Beuria

The freshwater impoundments of the wildlife refuge are managed for migratory waterfowl and provide excellent wildlife observation points. All dikes are open to foot and bicycle travel during daylight hours, unless otherwise posted. Waterfowl are most abundant from November through February, while alligators and other reptiles are frequently seen from March through October.

Bird watching opportunities are good all year but are best from October through April when temperatures are mild, and many species of waterfowl and other wintering birds are present. The trails are primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. The trails offer several activity options and are accessible year-round.

savannah national wildlife refuge sc
Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive image by Allyson Jones.

Motorists are welcome on the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive, off S.C. 170, which meanders along four miles of earthen dikes through managed freshwater pools and hardwood hammocks. Many hiking and biking trails are accessible from this drive.

savannah national wildlife refuge sc
Kingfisher Loop and Tupelo Trail image by Ezrom Signim.

The Kingfisher Loop and Tupelo Trail is a 7.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail that features beautiful wildflowers and is good for all skill levels.

savannah national wildlife refuge sc
Little Black River Trail image by Justin DeBaker.

The Little Back River Trail is a 6.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail features a lake and is good for all skill levels.

savannah national wildlife refuge sc
Recess Plantation Trail image by Jessica Robateau.

Recess Plantation Trail is a 3.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail featuring beautiful wildflowers and is good for all skill levels.

hiking trail - savannah national wildlife refuge sc
photo by Allyson Jones.

The Cistern Trail/Photo Blind is located along the Lauren Hill Wildlife Drive. It is a great spot to capture wildlife photos.

hiking trail - savannah national wildlife refuge sc
Plantation Island Trail and Cistern image by Allyson Jones.

Plantation Island Trail is a 2.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail featuring beautiful wildflowers and is good for all skill levels. This small island of trees was formerly a slave community. It was once surrounded by rice fields. The cistern is still visible. It was used to collect drinking water and store perishable foods.

savannah national wildlife refuge sc
Image by Carlo Emanuel Barbi.

Raccoon Trail is a 2.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail that features a river and is good for all skill levels.

savannah national wildlife refuge sc
Savannah NWR Visitor Center image by Mark Haskell.

The Savannah NWR Visitor Center is located on U.S. 17, seven miles north of downtown Savannah, Georgia or seven miles south of I-95 at Hardeeville, South Carolina.

hiking trail - savannah national wildlife refuge sc
Beech Hill Trail image by Alan Bourne.

Beech Hill Trail is a 0.3 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near the Visitor’s Center that features beautiful wildflowers and is good for all skill levels.

hiking trail - savannah national wildlife refuge sc

The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located at
694 Beech Hill Lane, just outside Hardeeville. The Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive is located on GA-25/SC-170.
(843) 784-2468

For more information on this and other Lowcountry nature-based tourism spots, visit https://southcarolinalowcountry.com/wildlife-preserves-and-nature-trails/,
 

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The Lowcountry & Resort Islands Region of South Carolina includes the four, southern-most counties in the state, Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton, which are bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Savannah River and the state of Georgia.

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Discover the fascinating story of Thomas Heyward Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Born in St. Luke's Parish, now Jasper County, Heyward played a pivotal role in shaping American history. You can even visit his final resting place at the Old House Plantation near Ridgeland, SC. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Jasper County and uncover the legacy of this iconic figure.#thatsmylowcountry #naturallyamazing #sclowcountry #thomasheywardjr #schistory
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A different type of sunrise for #sunrisesunday today. This is blue hour on Pawleys Island. Blue hour lighting hits different. Especially in places like this where there's such a vastness to the sky and you can see a gradient from stars to blues to the earliest purples from the sun's first rays in the sky, long before it even crests the horizon. Added benefit, no one in their right mind wakes up this early to be out an hour before sunrise. Except for me, that is. So, with my gas station coffee in hand, I get to enjoy this beautiful beach without another soul around. Just me, the waves, and the noseeums aggressively attacking me.
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Headed down the road....Edisto Island.  #edisto #sclowcountry #trees #endofday  #beauty #islandsofsc
“The Morning Show”, 36x48, oil on canvas. markkelvinhortonstudio hortonhayesfineartstudio hortonhayesfineartstudio #oilpainting #charlestonsc #charlestonartist #southcarolina #southcarolinaartist #sclowcountry #mtpleasantsc #hobcawcreek #sunrise #sunrisepainting #oiloncanvas #marshpaintings #marshpainting #marsh #creek #contemporarytonalism #contemporaryart #contemporarypainting #sky #skypainters #skypaintings
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A gorgeous mushroom shows off on Edisto Island. #mushrooms #fantasticfungi #wildmushrooms #beachmushrooms #islandlife #mushroomphotography #toadstools #forestlover #woodland #woodlandphotography #forestcore #woodlandaesthetic #cottagecore #fairycore #magicforest #sclowcountry #edistoisland #fypシ #allthemushroomtags #takeawalk #observenature
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"Hunting," Red-shouldered Hawk #redshoulderedhawk #hawk #raptor #birdofprey #birdofpreyphotography #birds #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #sclowcountry #magnoliaplantation #magnoliaplantationandgardens #magnoliamoments #palmettostate #bestofpalmettostate #getoutside #shotoncanon #audubonsociety #nationalgeographic #natgeo
“Highlights”, 12x9,  oil on linen.🔴hortonhayes markkelvinhortonstudio hortonhayesfineart hortonhayesfineartstudio #southcarolina #sclowcountry #mtpleasantsc #charlestonsc #charlestonartist #oilpainting #hobcawcreek #I’On #marsh #marshpainting #creek #sunset #sunsetpaintings #contemporaryart #contemporarypainting #skyporn #skypainters #waterway #artistsoninstagram
What were your weekend views today? #DiscoverSC 📸📍Botany Bay Beach: charlestonshopcurator
Hope you’ve had a beautiful Saturday in South Carolina! #DiscoverSC 📸📍: Botany Bay: donniewhitaker

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