151

MC BEE

FIRE

TOWER

SCL RAILROAD

RUBY

FIRE

TOWER

HOPEWELL

CHURCH

McBee

Middendorf

Woodland 

Pond

Trail

Longleaf

Pine Trail

Tates

Trail

Wire

Road

1

Visitors

Drive

Visitors

Drive

Scotch

Road

Ruby

Hartsville

Road

To

Chesterfield

Catarrah

Road Refuge

Trail 1

OXPEN FARM UNIT

145

145

Little

Black 

Creek

Big

Black 

Creek

Pool L

Pool K

Beaver 

Pond

Lake

17

Pool A

Pool B

Pool C

Lynches

River

Swift

Creek

Honkers Lake

Oxpen

Lake

Big

Sandy

Creek

Mays

Lake 

Black

Creek

Ham Branch

Creek

Little Alligator

Creek

Pool J

Skipper

Creek

0 Miles 1

0 Kilometers 1

N

Carolina Sandhills

National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Boundary

Freeway

Paved Road

Unpaved Road

Walking Trail

Office/Visitor Station

Visitor Information

Auto Tour Route

Interpretive Foot Trail

Lookout Tower

Closed Area

Red-cockaded

Woodpecker

Viewing Areas

Enhanced Wildlife

Observation

Opportunities

Legend

A - H

A B

C

C

C

C

C

C

D

E

E

E

E

E

E

F

F

G

H

1 2

3 4

1

2

3 4

General Information

The refuge’s paved Visitors Drive along with 100+

miles of sand, dirt and gravel roads provide access for

wildlife observation and photography. These roads also

provide access to numerous public use facilities

including two observation towers, a photography blind,

three designated hiking trails, and numerous fishing

areas. All refuge roads are open to vehicular traffic

except those marked “Authorized Vehicles Only” or

those that have been blocked. All areas of the refuge

are open to foot traffic except for the posted “Closed

Area” near Martins Lake which provides protection for

waterfowl and shorebirds.

Enhanced Wildlife Observation Opportunities

This map includes several alphabetically and numerically

designated locations within the refuge that provide

enhanced wildlife observation opportunities. Alpha

locations indicate general observation areas while

numbered locations are some of the better locations for

observing the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. A

summary of these locations is provided below:

A Longleaf Pine Interpretive Trail—This 1/4 mile

trail with interpretive brochure focuses on the longleaf

pine ecosystem.

B Woodland Pond Trail—One mile; passes through

wetlands, upland pine and small open area. Good area

for songbirds, including the Bachman’s sparrow.

C Margins of Ponds and Lakes—Are usually good for

songbird observations (especially Pool D). These areas

are also excellent areas to observe wading birds,

beaver, otter and small mammals.

D Black Creek and Ham Branch—One of the best

areas to see and hear neotropical birds. Follow the

Visitors Drive past Pool D to the stop sign; turn right

and proceed until this road intersects with Wire Road

(there may be a gate there). Park your car and walk to

your right to Ham Branch and to your left for Black

Creek.

E Open Fields—Visitors often see small mammals,

white-tailed deer, turkey, hawks, and other wildlife in

several fields adjacent to refuge roads (especially along

the Visitors Drive). Early morning and late afternoon

are best times.

F Tate’s Trail—3 miles in length, this trail runs

parallel to Martins Lake and Pool D, making a loop

around Lake 12 before culminating in the Lake Bee

Recreation Area. Good view of diverse habitats

including wetlands, bottomland hardwood areas, upland

pine-scruboaks, and open areas.

G Lake Bee Area—Picnic shelters and tables, along

with restrooms are available. The lake edge provides

good birding and red-cockaded woodpeckers are

usually always seen or heard here. Notable plants and

animals found in this area include brown-headed

nuthatches, several carnivorous plants and the rare

pine barrens treefrogs. Nearby Pool H and Triple

Lakes host wood ducks and other waterfowl in

appropriate seasons.

H Oxpen Area—Home to white tailed deer, turkey,

hawks, waterfowl and small mammals. It is also a

popular fishing area and home to a variety of

wildflowers. The seepage bog near Oxpen Lake

includes a large population of carnivorous plants. An

observation tower provides a nice scenic view.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Viewing Areas

Every effort should be made to minimize disturbance to

these endangered birds, especially at nesting and

roosting sites. Visitors must stay at least 100 feet from

cavity trees. If a bird comes to the cavity tree calling

and acting distressed, please remove yourself from the

cavity site until this behavior subsides. All known cavity

trees are marked with a white band of paint at eye

level. The best time of the year to observe these birds is

April through early June when the birds are in the

midst of their nesting activities.

1 Refuge Headquarters Area—Cavity trees are

located in front of the residence and to the left of the

wildlife drive near the refuge shop area.

2 Past Pool G on the Visitors Drive—Several cavity

trees are found on the right side of the Visitors Drive

1/4 mile past Pool G (just before you reach the

residence at Highway 145).

3 Entrance Road to Martins Lake—Two cavity trees

are located on the right side of this road just before the

entrance to the Tate’s Trail parking area. Several

others can be found in the same area.

4 Lake Bee Area—Cavities are located near the two

shelters closest to the Visitors Drive and across the

Visitors Drive from the picnic area. Very active cavity

site.