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Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

Murrells Inlet, South Carolina · Georgetown County

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge was established on December 1, 1997 and consists of wetland habitats ranging from historic, broken and actively managed tidal rice fields, to black water and alluvial flood plain forested wetlands of the Waccamaw and Great Pee Dee Rivers. These tidal freshwater wetland ecosystems are s…

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About Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge was established on December 1, 1997 and consists of wetland habitats ranging from historic, broken and actively managed tidal rice fields, to black water and alluvial flood plain forested wetlands of the Waccamaw and Great Pee Dee Rivers. These tidal freshwater wetland ecosystems are some of the most diverse freshwater wetland systems found in North America. They not only provide important habitats corridors for wildlife, but they also play a critical role in the filtration and storm water retention for the primary drinking water resource of the greater Grand Strand region.

How to Get There

Presently, few refuge owned tracts are accessible by car on Waccamaw NWR . The refuge's land acquisition process is very active and tracts offering vehicular access are anticipated to be acquired.

Driving directions (Google Maps) →

Plan Your Visit to Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

Heading to Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge?

No central reservation system listed for Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/4005) for the latest entry policy and availability.

How do I get to Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge?

Presently, few refuge owned tracts are accessible by car on Waccamaw NWR . The refuge's land acquisition process is very active and tracts offering vehicular access are anticipated to be acquired.

How do I contact Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge?

You can reach the park at phone: 843-527-8069 or email: marshall_sasser@fws.gov.