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Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge

McBee, South Carolina
(View other McBee area trails)

Trail length:

100 miles
Posted by: SCguide1 on November 2, 2009

Description

Recreation opportunities on the refuge are varied. For a complete spectrum of outdoor activities, please visit http://www.fws.gov/carolinasandhills



A snapshot of hiking and biking opportunities is included here:



Tate's Trail

This trail is 3.5 miles in length. It provides a number of bird and wildlife viewing opportunities. You can access this trail at Martin's Lake (the trail head is at the observation tower), along Visitors Drive at Pool D, or in the Lake Bee Recreation Area.



Bicycling on the refuge

There are more than 100 miles of dirt and graveled roads at Carolina Sandhills, all of which are open to bicyclists. Many of the roads have sections with steep hills, so don't worry about a lack of challenging riding. Please note that all trails, such as the nature trails and walking/hiking trails, are closed to bicycles. You won't find this at all limiting...many of the smaller roads receive only occasional use by Refuge personnel, and are edging toward the single-track classification. The Refuge offers some pristine riding in areas that are seldom visited by the general public.



A 9-mile auto tour is also available.



Entrance into the refuge is free.



CAMPING: Although there is no camping on the refuge, Sugarloaf Mountain Campground is nearby. Search for "Sand Hills State Forest and Sugarloaf Mountain Campground" here at tripleblaze for further information. Advance reservations are required, but can be done over the phone.

 
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Directions

From Columbia, SC take I-20 east, exiting at Exit 98 and turning left onto Highway 521. Follow Highway 521 into Camden, SC to the intersection of US Highway 1 and 521. Turn right, going north on Highway 1. Follow Highway 1 for approximately 35 miles, going through Camden, Bethune, and McBee. The entrance to the refuge is 3-1/2 miles north of McBee. From Florence, SC, take Highway 52 west to SC Highway 151 west in Darlington. Follow Highway 151 approximately 20 miles to the intersection of Highway 151 and US Highway 1 in McBee. Turn right, following Highway 1 north for 3-1/2 miles to the refuge entrance.

Trail length

100 miles

Guidebooks

Photos from Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge

Reviews of Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge



Reviewed by SCguide1 on November 8, 2009

(0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
I only spent 2 hours at the refuge recently, yet that was enough to make me want to go back for a full day…soon!
The 9 mile auto tour (Wildlife Drive) is a great way to see the refuge, especially at dawn and dusk, but there are many opportunities for an out-of-car experience. Stop at headquarters and talk to the staff. They will assist you in any way possible and they will give you ideas on how to get the most out of the refuge, even if you only have a short time to visit.
Fall is a great time to visit the refuge but be aware that herd-management whitetail deer hunts do occur. There are, however, many areas where hunting is not allowed and the hunts are limited to a very few days during the hunting season. Management hunt schedules can be found at the website provided in this listing.

Sandhills NWR is well cared for, clean, and very interesting. Out of all the NWR’s I’ve visited in this country, I put Sandhills NWR in the same league with the large central-flyway refuges of the Dakota’s.
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