Great Pee Dee River Heritage Preserve
Contact Information
SC Department of Natural Resources
Heritage Trust Program
(803) 734-3886 (Columbia)
Hours of Operation
The area is open during daylight hours year-round.
Contributions to the Endangered Wildlife Fund on the South Carolina Income Tax Form help to make the identification and management of these preserves possible.
Photographs
Description
This 2,725-acre reserve includes more than seven miles of river frontage and provides habitat for four state threatened species. The river is a boater's delight, while plant enthusiasts will find much on land to interest them.
What to look for:
Follow the entrance road about 2.3 miles to reach the high bluffs overlooking the Great
Pee Dee River. Along the way, look for some of the many wildflowers found in the area. Asters,
lilies and orchids provide color during most seasons of the year. River otters and beavers
live in the area, as do bobcats, gray foxes and more common mammals. You'll also see many
wading birds, including four species of heron: yellow-crowned night, green, little blue,
and great blue. Wood ducks nest in the area, and if you' re alert you may see a wild turkey.
This is a great place for birds of prey like ospreys and red-tailed, red shouldered and
broad winged hawks.
As you tour the site, stop to appreciate the beautiful cypress swamp and the river oxbows.
When to go:
Wildflowers appear in greatest abundance in the spring, as do migrating songbirds.
Fall is also a good time to see migrating birds. The preserve is open during daylight
hours, 7 days a week.