Recreation Opportunities

Enjoy the natural beauty on your refuge! Visit Cape Romain and experience beautiful pristine beaches, salt marsh vistas, a maritime forest, and participate in opportunities to view the wildlife that inhabit these natural areas.

Wildlife Observation and Photography

With over 277 species of migratory and resident birds recorded on the refuge, birdwatching opportunities are good throughout the year. (See the bird checklist.) Other wildlife you may encounter on Bulls Island include the black fox squirrel, white-tailed deer, alligator and other reptiles. With its beautiful vistas and diversity of wildlife, the refuge offers endless opportunities for nature photography.

Hiking Trails

There are two hiking trails located on Bulls Island. The forested one-mile Middens Trail takes one past the remains of Native American shell mounds. The two-mile Turkey Walk Trail, designated a National Recreation Trail, meanders through forest, along salt marsh, and over dikes separating freshwater impoundments. A wildlife viewing platform is located at one of the impoundments. There are also 16 miles of roads open for hiking and biking. Bicycles are not allowed on the hiking trails or beach.

Shelling and Beach Combing

Stroll along the beach and search for nature's treasures! Cape Romain's beaches offer excellent shelling for sanddollar, whelk, olive, angelwing and many other shells. You may collect one small bag of unoccupied shells.

Fishing

Fish the saltwater bays and creeks found within the refuge and surf-fish off of the beaches. Catch spottail bass, spotted seatrout, flounder, sheepshead and black drum year-round. Go shrimping and crabbing and harvest oysters and clams when in season, which is typically September through May. You may also fish and crab on the Garris Landing pier. All activities are allowed in accordance with State regulations.

Hunting

The harvest of surplus animals is a tool used to manage wildlife populations. Managed hunts maintain wildlife populations at a level compatible with the environment and provide recreational opportunities. Two annual 6 day archery hunts for white-tailed deer are offered at Bulls Island, with each scheduled hunt beginning the second Monday of November and December. Refuge rail hunts are the same as the State season. For hunting regulations, view the hunt brochure.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

Environmental education and interpretive programs are regularly scheduled at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center, which is jointly operated by Cape Romain Refuge and Francis Marion National Forest. Coastal Expeditions, the special use permit holder for the refuge, conducts guided interpretive tours on Bulls Island.