The Southeast and Mid-Atlantic’s Finest Nationwide Wildlife Refuges
Shenandoah and the Smokies are world-renowned nationwide parks. Pisgah, the Mon, and the GW-Jeff are a number of the hottest nationwide forests within the nation. However there’s a third group of federally owned lands that don’t obtain practically as a lot consideration or visitation: nationwide wildlife refuges.
Nationwide wildlife refuges are hidden gems, and the Southeast is chock stuffed with them. From the mountains to the coast, the Southeast is dwelling to 113 nationwide wildlife refuges. These lesser-known lands and waters are oases of biodiversity and journey.
Regardless of their identify, most nationwide wildlife refuges are literally open to searching. However they’ve develop into much more fashionable with outside lovers hoping to shoot wildlife with a digicam. Nationwide wildlife refuges are a number of the greatest locations to look at the area’s largest black bears and the one place to identify crimson wolves—probably the most endangered wolf on the planet.
Nationwide wildlife refuges are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—the company that additionally protects endangered species. Some refuges are named particularly for a uncommon species that happens there. All refuges prioritize wildlife and customarily restrict logging, mining, and different extractive and industrial makes use of.
Nationwide parks and nationwide wildlife refuges are typically probably the most protected public lands, whereas nationwide forests are the least protected. Within the East, many of the logging, mining, drilling, and industrial useful resource extraction on public lands happens in nationwide forests.
Nationwide wildlife refuges defend greater than 380 endangered species and supply 1000’s of miles of mountain climbing and paddling trails, and most are free to go to, too.
Listed here are the very best nationwide wildlife refuges (NWR) within the area for breathtaking biodiversity and journey.
Alligator River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, N.C.
Sure, there are alligators in Alligator River NWR. However one other species steals the present: crimson wolves. Alligator River NWR and Pocosin Lakes NWR, its sister refuge subsequent door, are dwelling to the final crimson wolves within the wild. At present, solely round 30 crimson wolves stay—together with 13 pups born this yr from 4 litters.
Winter is a good time to go to the refuge. There are fewer biting bugs, and crimson wolves and different wildlife are extra seen within the fields scattered all through the refuge. If you happen to’re fortunate, you may see or hear a crimson wolf, particularly round daybreak or nightfall. Listening to a wild crimson wolf howl echo throughout the panorama is without doubt one of the most awe-inspiring pure experiences.
Only a few miles down the highway in Columbia, N.C., the Pink Wolf Heart supplies alternatives to see and listen to crimson wolves which might be a part of the SAFE Program—a community of sanctuaries that look after captive-bred crimson wolves that will ultimately be launched into the wild.
Alligator River NWR is greater than a wild wolf refuge. It has been referred to as “America’s Amazon” due to its beautiful array of species, together with uncommon birds, otters, turtles, and a number of the largest black bears within the nation. Trails and gravel roads present an abundance of alternatives to discover the refuge, and blackwater creeks and rivers wind by way of the forests and fields.
Simply throughout the sound from Alligator River NWR are the Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras Nationwide Seashore, which offer much more alternatives for outside journey.
Okefenokee Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, Ga.
Overlook what you’ve heard about darkish and dreary swamps. The Okefenokee is a light-filled water wonderland teeming with wildlife. If you wish to see alligators, that is the place. The Okefenokee is dwelling to 1000’s of alligators, and a whole bunch of them sometimes congregate close to the Stephen C. Foster State Park entrance to the Okefenokee. This entrance can also be a fantastic spot to lease a canoe or kayak and paddle into the guts of the swamp. Elevated tenting platforms are scattered all through the refuge, enabling you to embark on multi-day paddling expeditions alongside river trails crisscrossing the swamp. Islands are additionally scattered all through the swamp for extraordinary mountain climbing and wildlife viewing alternatives. Each birds and birders flock to the Okefenokee—one of many largest and wildest swaths of public lands east of the Mississippi.
The Okefenokee Nationwide Wildlife Refuge has been nominated to develop into a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. It’s already one of many few Darkish Sky Parks within the jap United States the place stargazers soak within the beautiful views of the deep universe.
Conservationists, outside lovers, Tribes, and native communities just lately saved the swamp from a proposed titanium mine on the sting of the Okefenokee. Thirty years in the past, an analogous mining proposal was halted by huge public opposition. However extra mining threats stay, so organizations are working to increase the refuge and strengthen protections for the Okefenokee.
Canaan Valley Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, W.Va.
This outside oasis contains relict boreal forests from the final Ice Age and the biggest wetland complicated in Appalachia. Canaan Valley can also be dwelling to greater than 31 miles of mountain climbing, biking, and equestrian trails. Within the winter, Canaan Valley is a world-renowned cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing vacation spot. The close by city of Davis serves as a recreation hub for the wildlife refuge. The refuge expanded to 25,459 acres in 2024, making it the biggest wildlife refuge in Appalachia.
Nice Dismal Swamp, Va. and N.C.
Colonists referred to as it dismal, however the swamp is definitely a light-filled water wonderland and the biggest intact wetland forest within the East. Greater than 40 miles of mountain climbing and biking trails lace the refuge, and paddlers can discover the 22-mile Dismal Swamp Canal Path.
The swamp can also be dwelling to a number of the largest black bears within the nation, with the world-record 880-pound black bear noticed within the area. Huge 600-year-old baldcypress timber line the waters of Lake Drummond within the coronary heart of the refuge.
Better of the Relaxation
Listed here are six extra superlative Southern refuges.
Again Bay NWR, Va.: Paddling here’s a spotlight—and it’s simply accessible from Virginia Seaside.
Cahaba River NWR, Ala.: The Cahaba River flows for 200 miles and is Alabama’s longest free-flowing stream. This 3,600-acre refuge close to Birmingham protects 5 endangered species of fish and mussels, and among the many refuge’s 6.5 miles of the paths, the Piper Path is an ideal day hike with overlooks on both finish.
Blackbeard Island NWR, Ga.: Trying to find the wildest island within the East? This pirate hang-out is totally undeveloped and supplies a primordial coastal expertise. Accessible solely by boat, Blackbeard Island is crisscrossed with greater than 15 miles of trails. Discover historical maritime forests, federally designated wilderness, and pristine windswept seashores.
Bond Swamp NWR, Ga.: Smack in the midst of Georgia is a 6,500-acre wildlife wonderland that’s dwelling to bald eagles, wooden storks, black bears, and alligators. Bond Swamp may develop into a part of Georgia’s first nationwide park: the Occmulgee Nationwide Park and Protect, which might be co-managed by the Muscogee Creek Nation.
Cape Romain NWR, S.C.: Nearly all of this 66,000-acre refuge is designated wilderness, and a couple of quarter of the northern inhabitants of loggerhead sea turtles nest right here. Two historic lighthouses and the Sewee Training Heart are fashionable locations.
