National Wildlife Refuge Francis Marion

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Parks

South-Carolina

Nearby: Wilderness Little Wambaw Swamp Wilderness Wambaw Swamp

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Francis Marion National Wildlife Refuge is located in the state of South Carolina and covers over 250,000 acres of protected land.

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Summary

There are several good reasons to visit the refuge, including its diverse range of plant and animal life. Visitors can explore hiking trails, take guided tours, and participate in wildlife observation and photography.

The refuge is named after Francis Marion, a Revolutionary War hero, and features several points of interest, including the Wambaw Creek Wilderness Area, the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, and the Santee Coastal Reserve. Visitors can also admire the Bluff Unit, home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, ospreys, and red-cockaded woodpeckers.

The area is rich in history, and visitors can learn about the Native American tribes that once inhabited the land, as well as the rice plantation owners who once cultivated the region. Interesting facts about the area include its designation as an Important Bird Area, and the presence of nesting loggerhead sea turtles on the refuge's beaches.

The best time of year to visit the Francis Marion National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are mild, and wildlife is abundant. Visitors should also be aware of the refuge's seasonal hunting closures, which occur from November through February.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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