Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

Activities in Hilton Head Island, Hilton Head Island, SC

Hilton Head Island

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most extraordinary natural treasures in the South Carolina Lowcountry — a 4,053-acre protected barrier island complex located just off the US 278 causeway at the entrance to Hilton Head Island, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to experience the pristine salt marshes, tidal creeks, maritime forests, and wildlife habitats of the Lowcountry coast in their most undisturbed and spectacular form. The refuge encompasses Pinckney Island and several smaller islands, all accessible only by foot or bicycle along a network of well-maintained trails that wind through diverse habitats teeming with wildlife. Birders come from around the world to observe the refuge's extraordinary avian diversity — great blue herons, roseate spoonbills, painted buntings, ospreys, bald eagles, and dozens of migratory species that use the Lowcountry as a critical stopover on the Atlantic Flyway. White-tailed deer, alligators, river otters, and loggerhead sea turtles are among the other wildlife regularly observed. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is a must-visit for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone who wants to experience the extraordinary beauty of the Lowcountry in its most pristine and unspoiled state.

Address

US-278, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

Neighborhood

Hilton Head Island

Phone

(912) 652-4415

Website

www.fws.gov/refuge/pinckney-island

Details last verified September 2026. Hours, pricing, and availability change — confirm directly with the business before visiting.