About: Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, extending 22 miles along the South Carolina Coast, is a rich mosaic of barrier islands with forest and ponds, vast salt marshes and intricate waterways. This is the state's most pristine wilderness, 62,000 acre Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge, the longest stretch of protected coastline on the East Coast. This diverse and dynamic system supports over 293 bird species and a myriad of other wildlife. Over fifty percent of refuge lands are designated a Class I National Wilderness Area. Cape Island to the north, is located offshore from the town of McClellanville and Bulls Island, the southernmost island, is off the mainland from the town of Awendaw. Established in 1932 to conserve habitat for migratory waterfowl and other bird species, its lands and waters include barrier islands with maritime forest and brackish ponds, emergent salt marshes and vast estuaries.
Cape Romain NWR provides critical habitat and protection for a vast array of wildlife that includes many bird species of concern and threatened and endangered species such as the Red knot, Piping Plover, and American Oystercatcher. Refuge beaches provide the largest nesting density for the northern population of the threatened Loggerhead sea turtle outside of the state of Florida. The refuge supports the endangered Red Wolf Species Survival Plan, with habitation for captive wolves at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center.
Location: Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center, 5821, Highway 17, Awendaw, South Carolina.
Hours: Thursday through Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm as staff are available. Please call the Sewee Center at (843) 928-3368 the day of your visit to confirm that the facility is open. When the facility is closed, the grounds are open to visitors. The refuge headquarters, 5801 Highway 17 North Awendaw, SC 29429-5908, is located close by the Center and open Monday through Friday from 8 am - 4 pm. You may walk the trail, picnic, and view the wolves at the enclosure adjacent to the trail. If the entrance gate is closed, you can park your vehicle off of the shoulder of Highway 17 and walk inside the gate.
Link: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/cape-romain
