Summary
Hollings Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge is located in the lowcountry region of South Carolina and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker and loggerhead sea turtle. The refuge offers visitors the opportunity to explore its many trails, waterways, and observation points while experiencing the natural beauty of the area.
Some of the top reasons to visit the refuge include bird watching, hiking, fishing, and wildlife photography. Visitors can also participate in educational programs offered by the refuge, which focus on topics like conservation and environmental awareness.
The refuge has several points of interest to see, including the Edisto River, which is popular for kayaking and fishing; the Ashepoo River, which is home to bottlenose dolphins and manatees; and the Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, which offers hunting opportunities during certain times of the year.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was once the site of extensive logging and agricultural activities before being purchased by the US government for conservation purposes. Today, the refuge covers over 11,000 acres and is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast of the United States.
The best time of year to visit the refuge is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and wildlife sightings are more common. However, the refuge is open year-round and offers different experiences depending on the season, so visitors can plan their trip according to their interests.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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