U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, The wetland diversity of Waccamaw public three miles of interpretive nature located along the Waccamaw, Great NWR is what sets it apart from other trails, a boardwalk, kiosks, and a weather and Little Pee Dee Rivers, refuges found along the east coast. shelter with picnic tables. The nature encompasses a diversity of habitat Wetland habitats range from historical trails are accessible from both parking including a black water river swamp, and actively managed tidal rice fields areas and lead visitors through a variety alluvial river floodplain, forested to black water and alluvial flood plain of habitats and are open year round for wetlands, longleaf pine ecosystems,and forested wetlands of the Waccamaw hiking, biking, environmental education tidal and managed historic ricefields. and Great Pee Dee Rivers. These tidal and nature photography. freshwater wetlands are some of the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge most diverse freshwater wetland systems Welcome to Waccamaw National Wildlife found in North America and offer many Refuge (NWR), one of 550 National important habitats for migratory birds, Wildlife Refuges that form a network of fish, and resident wildlife. Species such lands and waters managed specifically for as swallow-tailed kite, osprey, wood wildlife. Refuges provide habitat – food, stork, white ibis, prothonotary warbler, water, cover, and space – for millions and many species of waterfowl can be of migratory birds, 280 threatened and observed on a seasonal basis. endangered species, and thousands of other species of native plants and The variety of Refuge habitats support animals. more than 400 species of animals including four endangered species. The Waccamaw NWR was established in Refuge and surrounding area supports 1997. The Refuge was established for the the highest density of nesting swallow- following purposes: tailed kites in and is the ■ to protect and manage diverse habitat northernmost documented nesting site components within an important for this species. Additionally, refuge coastal river ecosystem for the benefit wetlands play a critical role in filtering of threatened and endangered species, storm water runoff and supplying a freshwater and anadromous fish, primary drinking water resource for the migratory birds, and forest wildlife, greater Grand Strand region. including a wide array of plants and Facilities animals associated with bottomland The Refuge headquarters and hardwood habitats; and environmental education center is ■ to provide compatible wildlife- located 20 miles north of Georgetown, dependent recreational activities South Carolina and 15 miles south of including hunting, fishing, wildlife Conway, South Carolina at 21424 N. observation, photography, Frasier Street, (U.S. Highway 701). environmental education and The environmental education center interpretation for present and future is a state-of-the-art facility which generations of Americans. includes a fully equipped wetlab, exhibit hall, auditorium, and nature Presently, the refuge encompasses store. The facility offers opportunities approximately 23,000 acres that include for environmental education to local large sections of tidal emergent wetlands, schools and communities as well as forested wetlands, and upland forests interpretation and information specific associated with the Waccamaw and Pee to Waccamaw NWR. Dee Rivers. The Cox Ferry Recreation Area is located on Gary Lake Blvd., accessible from Jackson Bluff Road. It offers the

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge 21424 N. Fraser Street (Highway 701) Georgetown, SC 29440 Phone: 843/527 8069 Fax: 843/527 8494 Website http://www.fws.gov/waccamaw E-mail: [email protected] Activities 905 378 378 Compatible wildlife dependent Conway activities are allowed in specific

Jenkins 90 areas according to Refuge rules Swamp 501 and regulations. Activities that are Bear incompatible to the mission of the Swamp system or the Refuge are prohibited. Little Pee Big Cypress Dee River Swamp Additional information concerning Hunting Baiter Swamp Swamp recreational activities is available at the Refuge Headquarters. Waccamaw Permitted Activities National Wildlife Refuge 701 ■ Big Boating, canoeing, and kayaking Branch in the rivers and creeks throughout Pawleys Swamp the Refuge. Brittons Russ Halfway Neck Creek Little Pee Swamp ■ Excellent opportunities for Dee River wildlife observation and photography can be found by Jordon 544 Creek boating through Big and Little Jacobs Creek Bull Creeks. ■ Hiking is permitted along the

Port Cowford Great and Bull Creek Swamp Big Creek at the Highway 701 bridge Great Pee Swamp just north of Yauhannah Lake. Conch Dee River Creek Yauhannah Additional hiking trails and Landing boardwalks are available at the Larrimore Hiking Port Gully Trails Harrelson Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area Landing adjacent to the Waccamaw River Bucksport Marina Waccamaw in Conway. River Refuge Headquarters ■ Freshwater fishing opportunities and Environmental Education Center are available year-round. Georgetown Horry County 701

261 ■ Hunting is permitted on the Bull Co refuge. For more information Island unty Bull Yauhannah Creek please reference the refuge hunt Creek brochure.

Waccamaw ■ Environmental education activities Little River are available at the Refuge. Carvers Bay Bull Creek Collins Contact the refuge for more St. Pauls Creek 707 Branch information. Horry County Cooter 707 Creek Georgetown County ■ All pets must be on a leash.

Cypress Wacca Wache Creek Sandy Marina Prohibited Activities ■ Camping. Plantersville Island Thoroughfare Waccamaw Creek River ■ Fires.

Peters Fardick Creek Murrells ■ Feeding, enticing, collecting or Creek Inlet disturbing plants and wildlife. Chapel Brookgreen Creek Creek ■ Firearms or weapons of any type, Sandy Island except approved firearms used in Gundalose Landing Creek Reserve Marina conjunction with Refuge hunts. Waccamaw ■ Littering. River Waverly ■ Entering closed areas. Creek Samworth WMA Scooner Creek 17

Legend Location Map Waccamaw NWR Acquisition Boundary N Refuge Owned Parcels Pawley's Island