Carolina Sandhills is an ecosystem of inland sand dunes, longleaf pines, open ponds, wetlands, fields, and wiregrass. Wildlife in the area includes more than 190 bird, 42 mammal, 41 reptile, and 800 plant species.
Located near McBee, South Carolina, Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge offers hiking trails, boating, fishing, picnic areas, and wildlife drives. Visitors enjoy four recreation areas in the refuge: Lake Bee, Martin’s Lake, Oxpen, and Pool A. There is a main paved drive along with gravel or dirt side roads.
Pool A Recreation Area
There are 30 man-made lakes and ponds in the refuge. All have signs listing their name. We started with Pools A through C.
Here we found turtles, indigo buntings, northern cardinals, red-headed woodpeckers, and flowers such as meadow beauties and water lilies.
There are three hiking trails in this section – Longleaf Pine Interpretive Trail, Red-cockaded Woodpecker Viewing Area, and Woodland Pond Trail.
Lake Bee Recreation Area
Pool G was smooth as a mirror. A tiny southern leopard frog sat nearly hidden among the reeds and leaves.
Lake Bee has three picnic shelters and a fishing dock. An observation deck along the shore has information about pitcher plants in the refuge. Orange milkwort also grew nearby.
There are two hiking trails in this area – Pine Barrens Gentian Trail and Tate’s Trail.
Martin’s Lake Recreation Area
Martin’s Lake reflected stunning scenes of clouds. The lake has access ramps for boats, canoes, and kayaks. Lily pads, tiny white flowers, and dragonflies dotted the shoreline.
There are two hiking trails in this area – Tate’s Trail and Tripod Trail. We hiked the quarter-mile Tripod Trail. A small pull-off can fit four parked cars.
Interpretive signs along the path provide information about local wildlife and plants. Ferns and berries acted as ground cover.
The trail leads to the Alexander photo blind. From the blind, we caught sight of yellow pitcher plants (trumpets) in bloom.
Accessible parking areas are available at the photo bind and the scenic overlook adjacent to Tate’s Trail. Pool D also has an accessible parking space and L-shaped observation deck.
Oxpen Recreation Area
My favorite feature in the Oxpen area is a tall observation tower with views of Honkers Lake and Pool J in the distance.
Opposite the tower sits Oxpen Lake and rolling hills.
By the lakes, we spied killdeer, northern bobwhites, and red-winged blackbirds.
May’s Lake
Outside the recreation areas, there are several other beautiful landscapes in the refuge including May’s Lake. Here we spotted summer tanagers, wood pewees, and eastern kingbirds.
We also found an unfortunate turtle who was stuck on the dock, unable to slide under the wooden slats back into the water. It had a fishing hook in its mouth. We removed the hook and carried it back to the water’s edge. I hope it survived ok.
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge offers a ton for water and wildlife enthusiasts. I highly recommend it for a day trip to enjoy nature.
your comments and photos are great. I hope to see the area for myself, soon. Thank you Steph