About: Audubon’s Silver Bluff Sanctuary is a 3,400-acre woodland along 2.6 miles of the Savannah River with extensive pine forests and bottomland hardwood forests; walking trails; 50 acres of lakes and ponds; 100 acres of grassland; and all manner of birds and wildlife.
The forests, fields, lakes, ponds, and streams support a wide variety of wildlife, including over 200 species of birds, including;Wood Storks and Bald Eagles. Visitors can learn of the rich history of the property that featured visits by Spanish and English explorers, an 18th century trading post, and a Revolutionary War skirmish.
The Quail Trail is a 3-mile loop that overlooks the Savannah River from historic Silver Bluff with historical stops and river access along the way. The Tanager Trail is a 2-mile loop that connects to an out-and-back boardwalk trail. The Nuthatch Trail is a 3/4-mile loop near the butterfly garden featuring longleaf wiregrass savannah and Red-Cockaded Woodpecker cavities. Use of the walking trails (no dogs) and entrance to the visitor center is free.
After the railroad tracks on the way to the education building are the Wood Stork feeding ponds which are gated.Call 803-471-0291 for times the gate is open.
Location:
From New Ellenton or Barnwell:
Travel 278 west. Turn left onto 302 (Silver Bluff Road). Continue down Silver Bluff Road and cross 125. Travel 1.8 miles and you will come to a stop sign.
Continue straight, crossing over Old Jackson Highway. After 1.1 miles you will go over a set of RR tracks. Travel a short distance and the paved road will turn
to a sand/clay road. Once you get to this point, continue to travel about a mile and you will see the education building on the right side.
From North Augusta:
Take Atomic Road (125 east) to Beech Island. Continue on 125 through Beech Island. At the 302 junction, turn right onto Silver Bluff Road. Travel 1.8 miles
and you will come to a stop sign. Continue straight, crossing over Old Jackson Highway. After 1.1 miles you will go over a set of RR tracks. Travel a short
distance and the paved road will turn to a sand/clay road. Once you get to this point, continue to travel about a mile and you will see the education building on
the right side.
From Augusta:
Travel highway 28 east to Beech Island. Immediately before the second traffic light in Beech Island, bear right onto Old Jackson Highway. Travel 5.8 miles and
turn right onto Silver Bluff Road. After 1.1 miles you will go over a set of RR tracks. Travel a short distance and the paved road will turn to a sand/clay road.
Once you get to this point, continue to travel about a mile and you will see the education building on the right side.
From Aiken:
Travel South on Silver Bluff Road (302). Continue down Silver Bluff Road (you will cross 278 and 125). Travel 1.8 miles and you will come to a stop sign.
Continue straight, crossing over Old Jackson Highway. After 1.1 miles you will go over a set of RR tracks. Travel a short distance and the paved road will turn
to a sand/clay road. Once you get to this point, continue to travel about a mile and you will see the education building on the right side
Hours: Walking trails can be accessed 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. Restrooms are open during irregular hours and not guaranteed. If you need to reach staff, please call: 803-471-0291. The Sanctuary also has special events, including trail rides, wine tastings, and bird and butterfly counts.
