30-Minute Drives

Please check the individual websites for up-to-date information as to closures and visiting information before you travel.

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

Pinckney Island NWR, established December 4, 1975, was once included in the plantation of Major General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a prominent lawyer active in South Carolina politics from 1801 to 1815. Few traces of the island’s plantation in the 1800’s exist today. From 1937 to 1975, when it was donated to the Fish and Wildlife Service, Pinckney Island was privately owned and managed as a game preserve.

The 4,053 acre refuge includes Pinckney Island, Corn Island, Big and Little Harry Islands, Buzzard Island and numerous small hammocks. Pinckney is the largest of the islands and the only one open to public use. Nearly 67% of the refuge consists of salt marsh and tidal creeks. A wide variety of land types are found on Pinckney Island alone: salt marsh, forestland, brushland, fallow field and freshwater ponds. In combination, these habitats support a diversity of bird and plant life. Wildlife commonly observed on Pinckney Island include waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, neo-tropical migrants, white-tailed deer and American alligators, with large concentrations of white ibis, herons, and egrets.

Web Address and Directions
www.savannahcoastal@fws.gov
http://www.fws.gov/pinckneyisland

The refuge is located in Beaufort County, South Carolina and is 1/2 miles west of Hilton Head Island off of U.S. Highway 278. The island is bounded by Skull Creek (the Intracoastal Waterway) on the east, Mackay Creek on the west, and it’s northern tip faces Port Royal Sound.

Wildlife to see

Spring: Ibis Pond Rookery, migrating warblers

Summer: resident Painted Buntings, Summer Tanangers, Red-headed Woodpeckers, songbirds, waders

Winter: Yellow-rumped Warblers

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, established April 6, 1927, consists of 31,551 acres of freshwater marshes, tidal rivers and creeks, and bottomland hardwoods. About half the refuge is bottomland, composed primarily of cypress, gum, and maple species. Access to these areas is by boat only.

The 3,000 acres of freshwater impoundments managed for migratory waterfowl were formerly the rice fields of plantations dating back to the mid or late 1700’s. Many of the dikes enclosing these pools were originally built during the rice culture era.

Motorists are welcome on the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive, off of S.C. 170, which meanders along four miles of earthen dikes through managed freshwater pools and hardwood hammocks.

Trail Guide

Address and Directions

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.

694 Beech Hill Ln, Hardeeville, SC 29927

WARNING: Please do not use Uber, Lyft, or any other ride share service as transportation to Savannah NWR. The wildlife viewing areas of the refuge are over 3 miles from the Visitor Center via public highways, and there is no transportation available to take visitors from one area to another.

Wildlife to see

Spring: Bobolinks, Least Bittern, migrants

Summer: Purple Gallinule, songbirds

Year round: songbirds, waders, woodpeckers, owls, birds of prey

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens

This 51-acre horticultural attraction boasts ornamental gardens & pick-your-own berry fields. The Garden is a top Savannah attraction that serves as a museum of plants, a tranquil escape, a living classroom, and an impressive, historic venue for special events for more than 100,000 annual visitors. The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens remains under the auspices of the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and UGA Extension.

Located 10 miles southwest of historic downtown Savannah, CGBG is also 19 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean.

Pets are no longer permitted on property.

Address

2 Canebrake Rd, Savannah, GA 31419

Admission

Adults (ages 17 +): $5
Youth (ages 6 – 16): $3
Children (ages 5 and under): Free

Coastal Discovery Museum

The Coastal Discovery Museum is one of the most memorable destinations on Hilton Head Island. Explore natural history and cultural heritage on the 68 acre Honey Horn property. The Museum’s trails, gardens, live oaks, butterfly enclosure, and horses are just a few of the fun experiences you will encounter during your visit. Mon. – Sat. 9-4:30 and Sun. 11-3.

Visit the Hilton Head Farmers Market at the Coastal Discovery Museum every Tuesday from 9:00am-1:00pm. Take home fresh local produce, pasture raised chicken, free range rabbit, pork, seafood, salsa, fresh sausage, cookies, breads, she crab soup, and more. Free Parking. Shop local, meet new friends, strengthen our community, and rebuild our local food economy!

Address and Directions

70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

From Highway 278 eastbound – after the intersection of Spanish Wells Road, get into the far right hand lane, turn right at the next traffic light (Gumtree Road), the entrance to Honey Horn will be on your right.

Property Map

Port Royal Cypress Wetlands

There are several species of birds that call this place home, including herons, hawks, eagles, owls, falcons, geese, ducks, and other migratory waterfowl. It is absolutely a birdwatchers paradise. In addition to birds, regular visitors among the cypress trees are alligators, turtles, and snakes.

Features and Facilities – Walking trails, open air Pavilion / Amphitheater

Public Restrooms – There is a public restroom located at the Port Royal Police Station right next door. The entrance is outside by the driveway which leads around back and it is also Handicap Accessible.
Hours of Operation – Daylight hours
How to Get There – The Amphitheater is located on Paris Ave right off of Ribaut Ave with Parking on Paris Ave. There is also a Handicap Parking pad behind the Police Station. The Richmond Overlook is located on Richmond Ave. just past the Waddell YMCA. Parking on the shoulder is permitted there.