Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge Reviews

Very rugged and primitive wildlife refuge. Such a diversity of fauna, birds and animals. No picnicking allowed.

Beautiful, quiet preserve near Hilton Head Island. Excellent gravel bike trail. Great opportunity to see ibis and herons at the rookery. Good place for walking and biking

Nice, well kept, area with several walking trails. We just drove through, didn't take the trails because it was just too hot out that day.

It was a cloudy day so we decided to take a walk through Pinckney Island. If you like taking a peaceful walk this is a great place. There is limited parking and no restrooms so be prepared.

Pickney is a very neat place to experience the natural setting of the area. We explored it on bike and went from one end to the other and everything in between. Would definitely go back to this relaxing natural gem.

A nice place to see the native birds and fauna. I forgot how much the tidal basins ebb and flow and how low the low country is.

My 5 year old daughter and I spent about an hour and a half at the preserve . We made it to ibis pond and spent a bit of time admiring the birds . An alligator at a clearing by the pond was enough reason (for me) to call it a day and head back. We both enjoyed it quite a bit but she was tired on the way back and I ended up carrying her part of the way, in hindsight I should've brought a stroller along even though I couldn't tell you the last time she was in one. There were no trail maps available when we were headed in so I just took a pic on my phone which was totally fine. Bring more water than you think you will need!

Even though it was raining lightly for a good part of our hike this was a great place to see birds and the fauna of the area. Interesting interpretative signs explained the controlled burns and what we were seeing along the way. We did a 4.2 mile hike and it was a perfect distance for a rainy day.

A late-summer visit may not have shown the refuge at its most interesting. But even on a warm, humid, overcast and rainy morning, the variety of terrain made this a good option

Over 4000 acres of beautiful land with very few people once you get a mile or so into it. Think Hilton Head Island without any people or man made crap on it. Saw Bottle nose Dolphins fishing at low tide and many, many birds of all kinds...

we took a half day trip, bug spray, and our walking shoes end went to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge to enjoy the nature, and view birds in their natural habitat. loved it!

The Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is tucked just off the road leading on to Hilton Head. It is a quiet place to view birds and alligators and butterflies. The gravel paths provide a good surface for bikes and strollers and you can take several different walks depending on the time you wish to spend there. Today we walked to Ibis pond and found it covered with white wading birds. The American coot was also very prevalent. There are many palm trees and views of the ocean. All in all a great place to visit.

This was a magical salt marsh. We did a family stroll (0.9 miles) to Ibis Pond to see the rookery. Didn't get there until 9:30am --- this excursion would be more comfortable earlier. The hike is flat and easy, but unshaded for some stretches. Saw fiddler crabs, baby crocs, and a spectacular array of birds at the rookery. White Ibis, Little Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons, Great and Snowy Egrets, and much more. It was very memorable. Beware the fire ants, try and stay on the trails. No visitor center. No bathrooms. Bring a sunhat, water, and binocs.

Looking for a new place to explore, we decided to try Pinckney Island Nation Wildlife Refuge. What a find! The first wildlife spot we discovered was Ibis Pond. We have never seen so many beautiful birds in one spot. They looked liked cotton boles stuck to branches. On our way around the pond, we were stopped in our tracks by a medium-sized alligator. After about 10 minutes, the 'gator decided to slid back into the pond and we continued on our way without further critter encounters. The trail is an amazing mix of oaks, pines, palm trees and wild flowers. We enjoyed our walk so much that we came back the next day. There is adequate parking; however, no restrooms. Take your own water and remember to bring empty bottles out with you (no trash cans, either). Happy trails!

Walked these trails early one morning. Lots of birdlife, even had an up-close encounter with a bald eagle.

We enjoyed out lovely walk around the island. Many trails and animals to see. I didn’t realize the island was so big it sure can be an all day walk about

One of our goals in our Hilton Head trip was to visit Pinckney NWR. Did not realize that there was an Egret rookery in the pond. Lots of Great Egrets and little Blue Herons. Nice walk out to the pond.

If you are into nature, especially birds, this is the place to go. In October it's especially nice as it's not too hot and there are lots of migrating birds that you can see. My wife is the real birder but I have been indoctrinated and it's fascinating. Guaranteed you'll see lots of sea birds but you never know what you'll see when the birds are migrating. Likely to see eagles, hawks, egrets, herons of all sorts and many other birds. Also just a very peaceful place to visit.

Quiet place for a stroll, views were spectacular, information panels were useful. I do wish they had a small bathroom however...

We stopped for an evening walk during our visit to Hilton Head, and it was lovely. We loved the maritime forest, seeing crabs scurrying along in the salt marshes, and watching tons of Ibis birds at the Ibis pond. We saw two alligators near Star Pond, including a pretty big one right by the mowed trail that leads to the bench. Look closely...they’re easy to miss. The bugs were starting to come out after the rain—use some spray or wear long sleeves and a hat if you go in the evening.

while this looks like a great area, the warning signs about snakes and poison ivy scared us to not take the trails. The paved walkway wasn't too long so wehn we got to the end we turned around and left. We didnt see birds or alligators.

Nice walking and jogging trails where you will find some wildlife, if you are looking. We heard people can fish there too. Good for a stroll in the morning/afternoon, depending on the weather.

We love visiting NWR’s when we are traveling as it is a good way to learn about the local flora and fauna. This NWR does not have a visitors center to talk to the rangers or volunteers about the best places to see wildlife, what to look for, which trails are best, etc. There are some signs around and maps that you can use. The main path is mostly in the sun, there are some covered parts but not many. The sun is super intense in July but I can imagine this place would be amazing in the fall or spring with cooler temps. We enjoyed the Ibis Pond and saw tons of birds there. Very pretty location. No rest rooms.

It was very relaxing to walk on the trails and see turtle and different kinds of birds. It's a flat walk on a dirt trail.

Great visit. Lots of wildlife and scenery for the avid photographer. Birds were nesting, and little ones were in the nests.

My husband loves to fish every time we go to HH. This time he hiked and biked in to fish here. He went two different times.

It was an overcast day so we decided to walk in the refuge. We had tried on a warmer day and since there was no shade we turned back. The trail from the parking lot takes you past various marshes and waterways. We walked in about a mile and came to Ibis Pond which has a walking trail around it. The pond had numerous birds and was quite active with wildlife. There is a butterfly garden which again was very active. It is very pretty. The main trail continues but we did not continue. There is much to see especially in the late afternoon. Next time I would take bike so we could complete the trail to the point.

Trails are reasonably well marked and consistent with trail map that is available at the trailhead; good views of waterfowl and other birds even to us casual birders: a variety of herons and egrets, plus moorhens, coots, and more. Come early to avoid parking competition and for best bird viewing opportunities; we came late morning and had an extra hike from our car to the refuge trails.

Within a few steps, we felt far from the hustle and bustle of Hilton Head's roads and shops. The free park offers a easy-walk trails, interesting information boards and great views of various ponds. If you have the energy, you can spend hours walking to several sites. Bring your camera to snap pics of a wide variety of birds and wildlife. As others have noted, there are no rest rooms! Comfy shoes are recommended for all the walking on gravel paths. Don't forget sunscreen, bug spray and
water.

The docents were smart and engaging. The tour was interesting and I learned a lot and had a nice time with the small group. This is a volunteer organization and they are incredibly professional, friendly, and knowledgeable.

Park was pretty to drive through but it doesn't go anywhere but to a parking lot that was full. You can walk/hike or bike from that point so we were disappointed there was not more to see. Extremely hot day.

What a wonderful wild place this is but with doable trails for many types of runners, bikers, walkers, birdwatchers, etc. Fascinating Great White Egrets have a rookery there.

Good hiking and bird watching location. We had only 2 hours for exploring the island but enjoyed circling 2 of the nearby ponds and seeing a number of different birds. It is a 0.9 mile hike to get down to the main trails, so if you don't have more than 2 hours, you don't get to see the best that Pickney has to offer.

Family friendly easy hiking and biking in a beautiful low country setting. The main trail is elevated with packed gravel. Secondary trails are mowed. Lots of room for kids to burn off some energy. Beautiful views of the saltwater marshes, freshwater lakes and lowland forests. Plenty of birds and butterflies to enjoy. Avoid hottest part of the year/day and take drinking water with you.

I can't say enough about this Refuge! I moved here a year ago and finally made it out last month and since then, I've been back several times. i recommend doing this by bicycle but I've hiked it too. A wildlife refuge that you can actually see wildlife on! They have well maintained trails and not too much traffic that you feel crowded but enough so you aren't too isolated if you needed assistance.

Our visit to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge was way better than I expected! It was truly beautiful and gave you some sense of what many parts of South Carolina or Hilton Head must have looked like centuries ago. Ibis Pond itself almost looked prehistoric!

The refuge is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. There is no overnight camping. There are no restrooms, no fresh water, no pets allowed, no fishing and not much shade, especially since you are encouraged to stay on the trails. We were there on November 4th and it was still pretty warm so keep that in mind if you go during a harsh South Carolina summer. Sunscreen, hats, water, good walking shoes are all definitely recommended.

There are several hikes you can take. All are similar in degree of difficulty, just different in length. We did the shortest hike which was to Ibis Pond, a mere 1.2 miles round trip. You won't be in a rush, though, because there is so much to see! The flora and fauna are very beautiful and there is even a butterfly garden to marvel at. This was definitely a highlight of the trip, even for some of my kids.

The parking is easy. There are no fees. Trails are easy to follow and there are brochures available. I'm glad we decided to visit this little gem since we were initially going to skip it. One more thing, the brochure does suggest you could run into snakes, poison ivy, stinging insects or even alligators. Again, stay on the trails and you should be fine.

It will never disappoint the most ardent bird lover. All sorts of coastal species.. Easily accessible to walkers

We took a guided tour through the Coastal Discovery Museum on Bird watching. The island is beautiful! so much to see. Including Osprey, bald eagles and wood duck to name a few. Nice walking and biking trails too. Great fun for all ages.

This is a lovely place for a day hike. If you get an Uber or a Taxi here, though, make a reservation for a pickup as well, because getting back will not be possible if you just call for one from the place.

Probably better in the morning when wildlife is more active, but we were impressed by the Ibis Pond, the crabs and periwinkles in the marsh (saw a large crab attack and eat another smaller fiddler crab) and a number of bird types. There is limited parking and no restroom facilities on the island, and it can be difficult to make a left turn into the site from the mainland due to heavy traffic coming off the island.

Enjoyed a leisurely hike on Pinckney Island Feb. 27, 2020. Not much wildlife around. In the future, I'd bring a bike to cover more ground.

Great place to walk and bird watch. Not well known but parking will get dicey if you are there past 9:00 or so.

Just walk and enjoy, or bike if that's what you like.

This is a great place to ride a bike. There are miles of unpaved roaads and paths thru very picturesque landscapes. There are numerous species of birds to watch, alligators, and deer are also commonly seen.

Cannot write adequate review. It is very well preserved and presents nature in its best form. It allows the visitor to see nature without destoying it.

First time here. Very peaceful spot to walk or bike. We didn’t see but two birds the whole time we were there which was a bit odd considering it was a wildlife reserve.

Notes: Didn’t see any bathrooms on site. Seemed to be wheelchair accessible for the most part.

This is a large Preserve with white Ibis, herons, an eagle, deer and even a bobcat. It can take hours to see it all, but worth the time.

Pinckney Island is a wonderful place to go, hike, and see the birds. While we were here we saw so many kinds of birds and even a close up of an osprey who was not at all afraid of the people stopping to stare. There are no restrooms or water here so plan your trip accordingly. There is parking on the island in designated areas. The paths are well maintained. The pond areas are the best for seeing birds. They say there are alligators but we've been here twice and have not seen any. If you like to watch the birds, this is a great place.

Actually rode our bikes there. We were very disappointed. Gravel paths the whole way which isn't the best to ride your bikes on. And mostly just marshes to look out and a few birds. Not the best and we wouldn't be back.

My husband and I visit each time we come to the island. Wonderful place to take a walk, take in nature and the various creatures that call this home. Highly recommend visiting Ibis pond

PINWR is a fantastic natural habitat. Wife and I took a guided birding tour with a naturalist from the Discovery Museum. Very well worth it. We saw tons of birds. Also a live alligator, butterflies, etc. There is a nice paved road for walking or riding, good views of river, marsh, forest, meadow habitat. Ibis pond was the most active place.

Warning: the biting insects are ferocious (be prepared) and there are no restroom facilities.

Our Guide Richard (through Coastal Discovery Museum) was very friendly and went the extra mile to describe biking on Pinckney Island, and the history of it. We learned about animals that live there, and saw hundreds of birds and a couple alligators. It was a great day!

Pinckney Island National refuge is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Be aware that there is no drinking water in the refuge and there are no toilet facilities.

We were on the way to Home Depot and we saw the sign, so we drove through. It was really beautiful driving into the refuge. Once you get in, there are some bike trails. I did not see anything I really wanted to do.

Pinckney Island offers a great getaway for hiking, biking. birding, or just communing witth nature of the Carolina Low Country. It's free and I have never seen it crowded The quiet away from the highway, with just the bird and animal sounds is magnificent Bring your own water, good binoculars, and comfortable shoes.

Amazing place. Kids loved it. To see the animals in their natural habitat was great. Plenty to see. Saw 2 gators sunbathing, a dolphin in the marshes and skulls on the ground.

I bike thru pickney almost every weekend. Its a great bike ride! It is very scenic, but it is a nature preverve. In all my rides i have seen deers, gators, snakes, armadillo, birds AND a coyote!! There are no bathrooms! If bugs bother you, bring bug spray. There are fresh water ponds with birds AND gators. There are also snakes that do warm themselves on the main rocky road. Just walk around them. BEWARE OF THE TICKS IN THE HIGH GRASS!! wear boots and jeans! Have fun!!

I had my doubts about traveling to Hilton Head as someone who enjoys hiking and not someone who who is big on golf resorts. However, I found Pinckney Island which is just off the HH Island near the Intracoastal Waterway. It has 14 miles of trails with most of them wide grass trails which are easy on the feet. The island is totally flat making it very easy to walk. At low tide, 100s of fiddler crabs may be encountered on low points in the trail near tidal marshes. Ibis Pond a 1.2 mile round trip from the parking area has a rookery with many roosting birds in May. An alligator was patroling the pond no doubt hoping for young birds or eggs to fall in the pond. Ibis Pond also has a butterfly garden. My favorite part though is walking under the canopy of the coastal forest that makes up a large portion of the island. So very peaceful and I saw less than 10 people on the trails over my three visits-most visitors do not venture beyond Ibis Pond which is probably the most interesting place to visit on the Island. Also note that you can comfortably walk round trip to any point on the island in 3 hours not the 7 hours stated in the guide map. I visited 3 times during my week stay for 3 or 4 hours each time and enjoyed it each time. Highlight of my HH vacation. Please note, I saw no snakes, I did not get poison ivy, one tick, and two of three mosquito bites but I did end up refreshed and hope to return again and again. The one negative is there are no rest rooms. It is free although I understand the parking area can get full.

This is an incredible place filled with long beautiful trails with a diverse landscape and wildlife. Ibis Island is a must see and an easy walk. The area is covered with hundreds of exotic birds- really surreal. Definitely pack a bag with sunblock and water- snacks too if you plan to go on some of the longer trails. This is the very best spot that I have found in the HHI area as it is so natural and relaxing.

We enjoyed our visit to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refugee. There are several trails to follow. We saw alot of different kinds of birds and some alligators.

Love exploring wildlife refuses and this one is one of the best. Lots to see and take pictures of. Pick a nice day to spend time

First thing, there are no bathrooms or trash cans so plan accordingly. Also, it involves a lot of walking.

We loved the walk and enjoyed experiencing the scenic views. The wildlife at the ponds were plentiful. We saw numerous bird species, turtles, ducks and gators!

It was a lot of fun and we would go back again!

This place is awesome, but if you want to see all of it in a day, you'll need a bike. There are 18 miles of trails with ponds and great views in several places throughout. You can see a variety of wildlife in their natural settings.

Beautiful national preserve just a short car ride from Hilton Head Island. Birdwatching is a major attraction of this preserve, especially the ibis rookery at Ibis Lake. Although there is a variety of wildlife, hikers should not plan on seeing more than birds.

Kind of buggy, but we had planned ahead and brought some bug spray. Nice walk for amateur birders and avid birders alike.

My wife is a biologist, and my young children love being outdoors, so Pinckney Island is an awesome place for us. This is a nice place to get a change of pace from the beach and see lots of local wildlife. I recommend going in the morning before the heat kicks up too high. We usually walk about 2.5-3 miles total on the gravel path and around Ibis Pond. The pond has hundreds of nests for white ibis, great egrets, little blue herons, and several other species. There are also ducks and alligators in the pond as well. You can continue walking on to see more of the 6 freshwater ponds on the island. You also get some great views of the Intracoastal waterway at various points along the way.

The 1 rating was 100% our fault. (All previous ratings would be a 5+). After driving 2 days from Ontario and spending a week on Hilton Head we decided Friday, Nov. 3rd was the perfect day to spend on Pinckney (our favourite place) since we head out early Saturday for Florida and our kids fly home. (We were anxious to show it to our kids and their partners as they'd never been before). Of course it was closed for deer hunting season for only that one day of the year!! Lesson learned, NEVER go to Pinckney without checking their website a long time in advance for upcoming closures.

Beautiful, well preserved place to walk, bike, see birds. Great views from a variety of trails. Not a lot of parking, so come early and get a spot and beat the heat too. Later in the day is nice too, when the Ibis come back to roost for the evening. We like to bike the trail to White's Point for great water views all around.

I am a hiker and would like to check out hiking trails. This seems a good place to walk some miles with nice water views and many kinds of birds. I went during the middle of the day, so it was very hot. There was no bathrooms on the trail and it has very little shade. I am sure it would be great during the cooler seasons.

A wildlife refuge that is open to the public. No facilities so come prepared. Parking is shaded but a lot of the refuge is in the open so spring and fall are the best times to visit. Rough walking and hiking trails. We went on an afternoon in mid May and didn't see much wildlife.

This was a wonderful preserve, you can hike or bike the areas. The land was amazing with multiple areas for birding!

This is a location that I have visited many times over the years and during Hilton Head vacations. Really nice bird photo opportunities but during this visit I enjoyed seeing multiple alligators and a few rabbits. During prior visits I have seen deer and a snake. I typically will walk slowly around the ponds and take a lot of photos. A few cautions. Walking in the grass exposes you to ticks which I have previously received there. Second, while there are some shaded trails, a lot of the walking is in the sun so it can get pretty warm. I visited the wildlife refuge twice during this Hilton Head week vacation. Wish I had more time there.

Wanted to do some exploring while on the island, what a great place to do that!! Bring comfortable shoes because there is lots of walking and not on paved roads. no bathrooms or water so bring bottles of water!! unfortunately no alligators since it was off season but lots of beautiful birds, will be back after March to see the gators!!! lol

We were hoping to see gators and eagles but we didn't this trip. We saw many birds and it was an easy walk - but don't advise sandals as gravel in spots. Very peaceful and relaxing.

Our favorite place to take a long walk. You can make it as long or as short as you want. Parking is easy.

This is a quiet hidden gem on the way to Hilton Head. It’s away from the noise and crowds of the rest of the Island, and it’s a beautiful place to walk and take in the sights and sounds of nature. Ibis Pond was amazing! So many different birds to watch and listen to. It was like a different world.
Other ponds along the way had alligators and turtles to watch and snap pictures of.
The grounds are well manicured and the trails are easy to walk.
Next time we hope to take bikes so we can see the entire area.
This was a delightful visit! We hope to go back again and we highly recommend it to fellow travelers!

It has a long walking trail. All along the trail there is something to see, like unusual birds, alligators, trees, bushes and ponds. It's beautiful and peaceful and fun!

Great place to walk. no sounds but nature. Have been there many times. Bikes allowed too. Usually not crowded. Best time to walk is early morning.

Leave HHI summer traffic and commercial vibes behind and imagine what the island was like before the hustle and bustle.

We visited on a sizzling August morning and were glad to have bug spray and water along. Seriously, don’t come without either, and remember the site has no restrooms. Wide, partly shaded main trail was flat for the portion we walked to ibis pond. Saw an abundance of ibis before turning back to the parking lot to get cool.

Located just over the bridge from hilton head, this park is a nature lovers dream. Multiple species of birds nest in the area. about 8 miles of hiking trails. Be alert that there are NO bathrooms so take care of that need before you get there.

This wilderness area is for those interested in moderate activity. It’s all flat so it’s not strenuous, you it takes a good walk down the gravel road after you have to park your car. We did different loops around lakes and saw birds, marshland, lakes, alligators, etc. we were out there an hour or 1.5 hours and maybe saw 25%. It’s a neat place. Completely uninhabited by people.

This is just a great place to go for a quire nature walk, or a nice bike ride through a quite nature preserve. Be sure to stop atIris Pond for pictures and viewing the Egrets nesting. Bike trails are flat and very accommodating.

Nice trails for walking or bike riding. The beginning trails were our favorite- lots of nature around the marshes, the ibis pond, and butterfly garden. After that area it is less marsh and more upland trees. A great change from the lovely beaches on Hilton Head Island. There is limited parking.

We have vitiated here every time we have come to HH. It is just a wonderful experience away from the tourist-ness of the rest of the island. Bring plenty of water and look for crocs!

This marsh hiking area is wonderful, and the "hammock" of shade trees are amazing, best of all it's free. You can see birds of all kinds, crabs every where, oyster mounds abound, the views down from the somewhat dry land are fantastic. But this place is definitely for the more adventurous family.

We were amazed at all the wildlife we saw there. It was nesting time for many birds so we saw several types of babies, from ducks to birds, the ponds are beautiful. We highly recommend that you visit here. Bring camera for sure!

Pinckney Island is a must see on each visit to Hilton Head. There are multiple options for hiking. You can spend just a couple of hours or an entire day. So far we have been twice. Each time we saw an alligator. There are also lots of birds and butterflies. We have not been able to spot any turtles on the island yet, but hopefully we will at some point in the future.

Whether you want to walk trails or fish, this is a good place to visit. Plenty of good bird watching opportunities and great photo opps.

We walked Pinckney Island National Wildlife Reserve and saw hundreds of birds including ibis, herons, hawks, bluebirds, ducks and ducklings... I had never seen a rookery before. It was fascinating! We also saw a huge alligator and some baby alligators. I large non-poisonous snake caught me off guard as I walked on the path around one of the ponds. It darted out of the grass and grazed by my feet. I recommend going early in the morning, carry water and use bug spray and sunscreen. Also, where appropriate, comfortable, closed toe footwear. You may also want to have a digital of printed trail guide before you go. They were out when we were there.

More for solitude in the winer. Actually prefer it in summer with all the birds, butterflies and flowers, gators. It is a great place to bike ride.

Great chance for everyone to see natural Hilton Head. Ibis Pond is about a mile round trip with a few benches along the way. The path is close to flat and is wide enough for maintenance trucks. Many birds, alligators, life in the wild. Many people on bikes, can be a full day’s outing.

This is defiantly a great way to spend some of your day. Lots of wildlife to see. Be warned though there are no facilities here. You can choose to take a short hike, or a longer one. It would be great for bikes too.

FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE! Walked out to "Ibex Pond" where we saw an 8-10 Alligator in the water! Also at this pond were perhaps 100 Ibis roosting on small trees. Lots of Moorhens on the water, clucking much like chickens. Lots of smaller birds singing & flying around.

We then walked further to "Starr Pond". Here we saw a 5 foot Alligator lying on the pond bank soaking up the sun! Further along were 2 more small Alligators stretched out on downed tree branches along the water's edge. Also got some great pictures of 3 turtles sunning on downed tree branches! Again, lots of shore birds including cranes.

The "Main Trail" is actually a gravel surfaced road. Circling the ponds are mowed grass paths. Very easy walking, completely flat. Someone in a Wheel Chair would also be able to experience this refuge. The refuge is on the last island before entering Hilton Head Island. There is NO CHARGE to access this area. As others have mentioned, bring your own water & there are no bathrooms.

We saw lots of birds, mostly different types of waterfowl, and we saw an armadillo! There are miles and miles of trails. We did over 7 miles and spent 4 hours there. You can cover more ground faster on bicycle. Take lots of water. We should have had an additional bottle for the length of time we were out there. Thankfully, it wasn't a hot day. I have been wanting to go here for years, but the weather hasn't been cooperative. If I lived here, I would go all the time. There are no restrooms in the refuge, so be prepared.

Incredibly peaceful and beautiful! It is a bird sanctuary filled with many species. You can spend hours exploring here.

After driving past this wildlife refuge for years, this year we decided to go hiking there. It was incredible. The trails are well tended, the scenery was great, and we could walk for miles. We will make hiking here a part of every future vacation on Hilton Head.

Enjoy nature with a walk or a bike ride. This has been preserved from development for future generations. Enjoy a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle!

Wonderful activity for our family (children 16 & 11) on a chilly March day. Definitely, remember bug spray so you can stop and observe the birds without being bitten.

Great place to see birds in their nests, gators and sand crabs. No services of any kind available. Take water with you.

We are not birders, but were looking for a day out wiyh nature. We
went with the sun city birders for this trip to the refuge. There is no charge as this is a national park. Free parking with well maintained trails, butthere are rest rooms or water fountains. .

Although is was very hot (there was a heat advisory), we enjoyed our three-hour visit using rental bicycles. The birds are spectacular and the whole area is so unspoiled. Beautiful area. We saw an armadillo and a lot of very cute tiny crabs!

I recently returned to HHI and stopped here to ride my bike. It was a lovely, but short ride. I was hoping for a bit more hard pack trails. Because it was cold, we did not see a lot of wildlife. The most active area was the Ibis pond. There were many ducks and we watched a 7 ft gator swim through the pond. That was cool. I love this very special place.

I have been here twice and the birds are much more plentiful in the Spring when the rookery is very active. This October we only encountered a few ducks and herons and egrets in the distance. Please be aware that there are no restrooms or water available at the parking lot. Come prepared!

I would definitely recommend this place! It is peaceful and pleasant...you can walk around or ride a bike. There are numerous birds of all sorts and marsh lands with egrets,and other types of birds. They had a wonderful butterfly garden that was extremely active this year with Gulf Fritillary's, monarchs and a zebra butterfly. We had not visited for a few years but every time we come we are never disappointed. do NOT miss this wonderful place for viewing wildlife.

Thoroughly enjoyed our 6 plus miles of walking in this wildlife refuge. Saw many alligators, egrets, herons, turtles and assorted ducks. Truly need to wear comfortable walking shoes in order to see most of the park. We stayed for about 3 hours but you could stay there all day if you wanted to, so much to see!

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is simply peaceful and lovely! We bike the paths there and enjoy the tranquility of nature. It is a must see while staying on the island!

If you are an avid bird watcher and enjoy long walks, then this is the park for you. Unfortunately the trails are not well labeled, so be careful not to take a wrong turn. We saw a lot of birds, alligators and possums.

This is a gem of a place. Peaceful, beautiful and exciting! There are walking trails that take you through the area where alligators, babies and mommas, swim around the lagoons. There are flowers and plants and trees and a butterfly garden and birds and birds and bird's nests and all sorts of nature beckoning you to come back and stay a while. You will remember this place after you leave. Loads of parking, easy trails, maps and sometimes there are guides. I really like this park. Great for guests as they visit.

Good flora and Fonda. Lots of birds, indigenous plants, and marshlands. Very nice to see easily accessible can walk or drive

I visited Pinckney a few days ago and hiked around for about 3.5 hours. It was my first visit. I was impressed with the tons of birds around Ibis pond. There were water birds galore around the pond. In the trees and forest around the pond, I also saw a large variety of song birds and woodpeckers. I also walked around Starr pond --- very different, and I did see an alligator on the move on a small island in the middle. I wish I had had more time to explore --- it is a great undeveloped refuge!

The park is free and offers birdwatchers over 20 different types of coastal birds to view. There are tours you can go on but they are 125.00 per person. The park is better as we have been on both.

Very quiet area that was perfect for bird watching. Took the 1.5 mile walk to Ibis Pond. What a gem. So many waterfowl feet away.

It was a long walk with no shade, so be prepared with water and hats, but it was well worth the trip. We circled around the rookery which is currently full of moms, dads and chicks. what a sight o see. The trees were full of beautiful white feathers, And of course, an alligator or two.

We found this place accidentally when leaving Hilton Head. I was really glad that we stopped. We only walked to the ibis pond but it was very pretty. We saw several birds and an alligator enjoying the warm sun. We enjoyed the quiet retreat from the daily hustle and bustle.

Wanted to get out away from the beach for a bit and try to see some wildlife (read: alligators) so we went for a short hike. Unfortunately, we didn't get very far as it poured down rain, interrupting our walk. That said, we did make it to Ibis Pond where we saw a variety of birds and one alligator. The path to ibis pond was a flat gravel road which was very easy to walk. Around the pond there wasn't so much a trail as a path mowed in the grasses surrounding the pond. Would have liked to have seen more, but the weather didn't cooperate.

My kids love birds and we saw a ton of birds at the pond. It is easily walkable and a great place for nature lovers. We can't wait to go back!

Pretty setting, well-marked trails. Saw lots of birds and a few alligators. I recommend getting an early start before it gets too hot in the day. There is no entrance fee.

After the hustle bustle of Hilton Head , this beautiful park is a haven of tranquility. Its very close ti the main road bridge
We saw many birds and some turtles . No alligators today though.
We only had an hour to walk round and wished we had stayed longer. You could probably spend a day here and that would be a nice long walk. No cars are allowed passed the car park so its walk or bike only
Great place

Easy to moderate walk, flat terrain. Great bird rookery. We were there in March and there were thousands of birds (mainly ibis and egrets). Birds were flocing and mating on a little island in the middle of a small lake that you are able to walk all the way around. Nice way to spend a couple of hours

We saw a number of birds, the paths were well maintained. We didn’t walk the entire park because we didn’t come prepared with water and good walking shoes.

If you want a real idea of what HHI and this area was like before development, this would be the place to explore. It got about 7 miles of trail, lots of diverse terrain but I have to caution you this place is fully wild. That means that there are alligators and snakes here along with a lot of other local fauna. I would recommend staying on the beaten path and not wandering off into the woods. I did on a sunny warm day in early March and was doing some drawing for a painting I was planning to do. Very fortunately someone saw me down on a beach/salt marsh area sketching and when they went back to the road saw a 16-18 ft alligator heading my way. They did shout "alligator coming your way" and almost immediately i saw that monster about 10-15 feet away. I scrambled up the embankment and back to the road as quickly as I could. It can be adventurous out there so be careful but do enjoy!

This is a nice hidden gym in the middle of the island. Wild birds crocodiles, fishing, and just total sightseeing of nature. Good drive to most places it has a dock as well. Recommend this for just relaxing and taking in nature.

I have lived on HHI for 3 years and it took company to get me to Pinckney. What a lovely preserve. There are lots of birds, turtles and gators to see. Many plant species and a butterfly garden to see. I would advise walking shoes and binoculars. The walking is easy but there are benches located around the preserve. Don't think that there is really enough to interest small children though.

This nature preserve is an ever-changing, year round pleasure for walking and observing wildlife. You'll see more egrets than you can count, plenty of ibis and perhaps an alligator or two...and these are just the stars of the show. Smaller birds, woodland and marsh critters abound. Don't forget your bug spray, though.

Definitely worth your time! Great place for families with kids...if you keep walking along the road you'll reach a pond. Good viewing area for birds and wildlife.

This is a very nice place with easy trails. I suggest bringing a bike so you can explore more. We ended up on a private beach we wouldn't have been able to get to without bikes. Dogs are not allowed.

Parking is limited on a busy day. Has restrooms and very nice graveled trail. Quiet wilderness area. Well maintained. Length of visit depends on walking speed and time allowed.

Was a nice walk, but saw very little. I was there in February so maybe there would be more to see if warmer. If you want a scenic quiet walk, it’s a nice place to do so. Pets are not allowed which is quite a shame. I did not have a pet, but others did.

We love nature preserves and places for a walk. This offers nice trails, but disappointed in the fact their were no bathrooms (even a port a potty) or a garbage can. We had picked up garbage that had been left along the trail and no place to put it. We were hoping to see wildlife, but it was elusive. Probably the wrong time do the day.

have comfortable walking shows, this place has a ton of walking paths, tons of birds and aviary life, they have a alligator in the ibis pond, lots to look at, tons of wetlands, be prepared for physical exertion, there is no restrooms, no water. There are a ton of mosquitoes, be forewarned, they will; swarm you, if you stop for even a second, cover yourself, and use repellent liberally.

I really enjoyed walk on the trails. Highly recommend doing this during cooler months as it can get blistering hot during summer. Many bird types. There are many scenic views and great photo opportunities.

Our family was looking for a different experience from the beach and shopping. We found Pinckney Island National refuge online. We saw many birds. Supposedly you may run across an alligator but we were lucky I guess. Take lots of water and wear sunscreen in the summer. Take lots of pictures to keep those memories alive. We will return next time earlier in the day to catch the wildlife when they are more active.

We took about a 20- minute drive from Hilton Head Island to the 4,000 acre Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. 'The refuge is named after Charles Pinckney, a Revolutionary War commander, signer of the U.S. Constitution, and twice a Presidential candidate.' The family operated a cotton plantation on the island until the Civil War which employed 400 slaves. In 1975, the land was donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Native Americans lived here because of the abundant food supply.

Pick up a map and trail guide in the parking lot area before heading out. It is clearly marked with distances between interesting points. Wear sturdy walking shoes on the gravel road; there is no water or restroom facilities available. Much of the road is in bright sunlight so hats are suggested. Bring water.

Markers along the road explain the features of the refuge. Be certain to stop at the Ibis Pond to see both ibis, egrets and blue heron nesting in the trees. Walk around the pond on the grassy trail to see turtles and alligators. A butterfly garden is adjacent to the Ibis Pond. Take one of many small trails to see other peaceful waterways and the other islands. The tide was just coming in during our visit but we were able to walk on one of the soft salt marshes which are salty! We also saw sand fiddler and blue crabs in a marshy area.

Although Pinckney Island is the only island open for public use, surrounding islands include: Corn Island, Big and Little Harry Islands, and Buzzard Island.

On future visits, we plan to hike to the Osprey Pond (3 miles roundtrip). Over 14 miles of trails are open for biking and hiking. Saltwater fishing is permitted in certain areas; boat access is available at the boat landing on Last End Point.

Pinckney Island is open seven days a week during daylight hours only; no overnight use or camping is allowed. One RV and bus spot is available but access is tight.

We enjoyed our hike, nothing put of the ordinary but peaceful. Wear thick bottom shoes, it's very rocky and the stones will hurt your feet if only wearing regular sneakers.

My wife and I took the free tour of Pinckney sponsored by the volunteers from the Savannah National wildlife Refuge.
The Tours are only on Tuesdays and reservations are required. The tour is conducted by
docents and last 90 minutes.
The weather was overcast and the temperature could not have been better.
The island preserve includes over 4,000 acres many of which are smaller protected islands next to Pinckney/
The Ibis Rookery was most interesting. We could observe newly born Ibis, herons, anhingas, and too many other wading birds to remember.
This island and the tour is good for families and seniors. You can walk if you want to or ride in electric cart.

Beautiful.
Peaceful.
Lowcountry at its best.
As mentioned in other reviews - this is a great place to ride, walk, bird watch, gator watch, or a little of each. Just a short drive from HHI or Bluffton - you can spend an hour or half a day on the Island. It never seems to be crowded and is best done at low tide for maximum wildlife sightings. The freshwater ponds are both scenic and full of beautiful birds and other wildlife.
Bring your energy, your camera, your bug spray and your water and you’re in for a special treat.

This was a nice nature walk where we saw all different varieties of wildlife. It would be nice to bike ride as well, as others were doing. The first pond (Ibis) we saw several different bird species and a baby alligator. It was late February so even though it wasn't overly populated with wildlife, we still saw enough to give us enjoyment. We say a six foot alligator and the next pond. All in all, it was nice. There are no bathrooms, so I would make a point to go before you arrive. It's free and there are maps provided. They also provide a box to put the used maps for recycling.

To enter the refuge it is safest to go to HHI and return. This way you can make a save right turn. This is off a 4 lane bridge. There are many paths to follow and unless you are in good shape and an advent hiker, this is not a leisurely stroll. Much can be seen and taken in for any one that wants to experience this. Find out what is there and were so you can plan a total day outing and take your time or brake it up. We have been there 3 times and have yet to see it all.

We're not "birders" but this is spectacular even if you don't know exactly what you are looking at. So many birds, all beautiful. And the rookery is amazing. There are even some baby alligators along the shore.

Great views of the island, excellent information provided, be prepared as there are no facilities on the island. Tour guides are available. Birding is very good and trails are easy to navigate.

Had to laugh at the negative reviews. WE don't WANT dogs in a wildlife refuge.....they disturb the wildlife and peace which we are coming to experience. Nothing there but beauty and serenity.

Family of 6 were looking for something different to do. It’s free and full of nature. It was a great walk, while being “one” with nature. The bird island was simply amazing.

I tend to visit this wildlife refuge several times a year. It is so amazing... especially Ibis pond ! It is so active and beautiful! Mating season is truely the best! The only caution is that there are no restrooms. You must be prepared to bring your own water also. I love biking here and bringing a lunch.

Pinckney Island is the largest of the four islands that make up the refuge. Wildlife viewing is, as expected, very seasonal.

Their brochure says there are over 14 miles of trails open to hiking and biking. Because there is essentially no elevation gain, I would suggest the activity is actually "easy" walking, rather than hiking. The trails range from 1.2 miles to 7.8 miles round-trip. I think it would be great to bike the entire refuge.

We spend several hours here, enjoying the alligators, turtles, ibis and other interesting birds. Bring water and food, stay on the trails and be aware there are no restrooms available. Fantastic opportunity for wildlife viewing in its natural habitat. We tried to rent bikes and have them delivered here so we could enjoy the majority of the refuge, but the service was not available until high season (summer, I'm guessing). We walked as much as we could but only made a dent in all there is to see.

Basic easy hike. Birds and a few butterflies. Watch closely. We saw two alligators. No bathrooms. A few areas to stop and rest on a bench.

We loved our visit to Pinckney Island NWR. We hiked out to Ibis Pond (about 2 miles round trip), where we saw three alligators and many, many types of birds. The weather was very pleasant this time of year (November). The hike to the pond was on a wide, flat, gravel trail through the salt marshes, which made for lovely scenery. We're hoping to go back and take our bikes so that we can explore further into the reserve.

We went to Pinckney Island not knowing what to expect. It is composed of 1 parking area and a number of trails. Our favorite spot was Ibis Pond, which was full of.....Ibis! They were nesting and showing off in the spring and it was phenomenal. It looked just like something you'd see on National Geographic. We walked about 4 miles and wish we'd had more time to explore.

We went here one afternoon. Very relaxing walk through the wildlife. We saw lots of shells, numerous bird species, driftwood, Very relaxing.

Did not see very much wildlife which was a disappointment. The walking path/road were nicely maintained. They also provided explanations along the way of flora and fauna.

There a a lot of trail choices here and most of them are well maintained. We did not see a lot of wildlife, but I guess that is to be expected in January. We enjoyed the walk and suspect it is a lot more interesting in the spring.

Hubby and I went to this wildlife preserve twice in 4 days. The trails were easy walking. We enjoyed seeing all the birds, an armadillo and one big gator in Ibis pond. We walked 4 miles the first time, the second visit was just to the Ibis Pond and back. If you enjoy the outdoors and nature this is the place to go.

Beautiful natural refuge consisting primarily of salt marsh and tidal creeks supporting all types of wildlife. If you like hiking and biking, Pinckney offers over 14 miles of trails. All trails start at the parking area, half a mile from the refuge entrance. We hiked to Ibis Pond; it was early December, sunny midday, and there wasn’t much shade available. We decided to turn back since we hadn’t come prepared with water/snacks/sunscreen. The highlight: a glimpse of a stunning Anhinga! Free admission/parking. Outstanding break from the beach.

Pinckney Island is a beautiful island that is off the bridge leading to/from Hilton Head Island. There are no bathrooms available. There is parking, but gets crowded at times. There are miles and miles of paths. We have only touched the surface. We have seen a variety of animals including cats and an alligator! We have also seen crabs and snakes. There are a few benches for resting and taking in the scenery. Bikes are welcome on the paths, but no motorized vehicles. Because of the size, we frequently see others but it never feels crowded. People are generally friendly and will tell you if they have seen things of interest.

We visited Pinckney Island with a group of kids and a guide. Nature was lovely and we learned a lot about marine plants.

We went on a guided bird walk. Along the road we saw and heard more than ten bird species, including finding a Red Bellied Woodpecker’s nesting hole, and bluebirds feeding their young. Then we arrived at the rookery which was the highlight of the walk. Some of the Great Egrets has chicks in their nests, Snowy Egrets, Tricolored Herons, and Little Blues were busy building or sitting on nests. Some of the other birds spotted were a Black Crowned Night Heron and a Least Bittern. It was a lovely day and a lovely walk along gravel trails. You don’t need a guide to go and have a wonderful time there if you love nature. Side note, there are no restrooms.

We only visited the first section of the refuge, with a walk back to the first large bird pond. It is interesting to see all the bird varieties at the pond, but it is a hike without much too look at. Bring a hat and plenty of water and binoculars if you have them, for bird watching. Not much else to see in that section of the refuge.

Great place to walk, or read in your car! You can see the river, watch boats or birds! Nice forest of palmettos! We’ve gone there for years, easier to findparking among forest during the week. Take a picnic.

We took our bikes to Pinckney Island for a nature adventure and got exactly that! There is a lot to see and we covered most of the trails with ~12 miles of bike riding. Walking is also a good option although you will likely see less. There are ponds that attract different types of birds; there are bird houses in other areas. There are many different types of plants and some beautiful views of the marshes around the island.
The only drawback is that there are no restrooms of any sort; we left after a little over 2 hours in search of restroom facilities back in Hilton Head.

Just off the highway, this wildlife refuge seems to be a bird-watching destination, but is very notable as a place to walk, jog, or just enjoy the waterways and salt marshes of the area. It was very enjoyable and I was glad I stopped for a long walk.

I loved this place! It's a 1/2 mile or so walk in to the White Ibis Pond, and you cross over the salt marcs in 3 areas. The pond has tons of different birds, and a couple of gators. I went 4 times in 2 weeks and would have gone more if possible. I did not get to explore all of it-it's a lot of walking. No restrooms or water. No dogs. Great place, and so far a favorite NWR.

This was our second visit to Pinckney and it's a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Sandwiched between the mainland and Hilton Head is a great place to enjoy some of the Low Country wildlife. We took our bikes and rode on some of the nature trails for a peaceful not-another-day on the beach adventure seeing birds and other wildlife in their environment.

As for some reason it was very HOT even at the end of Sept. in Hilton Head this year. Have traveled there this time of the year and never found it to be so HOT. There for a week and not a drop of rain anytime. We wild life where no where to be found as it was to hot for them. Walked about 4.5 miles. I am not really and outdoors person.

We love this place. We rode our bikes for several hours around the island. It is really big so it would be difficult to walk all over. We took packbacks with water and snacks. We went early before it was too warm. Nice morning outing.

We enjoy hiking here so much that we come back every time we vacation on Hilton Head Island.
The parking can be occasionally tricky even though the circular parking lot offers many spots. Maps and information are available.The trails are easy to follow. You can adjust the length of the walk to your ability and circumstances. The ibis pond is a frequently chosen destination.
The nature is beautiful here and the landscape changes with the tides.
The history of the island is provided by the entrance on a historic marker.

Pickney Island is a good place to take a nice walk. Saw some local birds, but not much else as far as wildlife. Quiet place with plenty of vegetation and water views.

I've never seen so many herons, ibis, egrets, and many other birds as densely in one area as Ibis Pond, a short 0.9 mile hike from the parking lot. It was amazing to see the courtship displays, and the building of nests. We looked down, and at the water's edge was a small alligator! What a fun experience.

We came to this area wanting to explore the island. We found out that many parts of the island are now private gated communities. It left the beach to explore and then we found Pinckney wildlife refuge! Tricky to enter but we easily found parking. We walked the rocky road into the park. At the one mile mark there was pond...we ended up seeing 6-7 alligators! They had pulled them selves up onto the dried reeds to sun themselves. A few more were laying out near some trees. One huge alligator was spotted back in the Nini Chapin pond. We also saw an armidillo...our first! The park doesn't have any bathrooms...so plan ahead. Free parking, no admission fee. Park is a great way to enjoy some great weather with very few people!

This is what it is all about. Incredible trees, live oaks with Spanish Moss. Herons roosting in the trees. Great marshes and views of the intercoastal waterway. Alligators, snakes, egrets, and nature.

My husband and I rode our bikes on most of the trails. Some are gravel roads and some grass trails. It was a little rough but we didn’t have any problems. We have hybrid bikes but mountain bikes would be perfect. We loved it here! Rode all the way to White Point and were delighted we did. What a beautiful place for the trail to end. Hundreds of fiddler crabs on the beach scurrying around. Also rode to Shell Point. We had a great morning exploring this beautiful wildlife refuge. We didn’t have any issue with mosquitoes or bugs of any sort. Didn’t use or need bug spray in October. It was a perfect 70 degree fall day.

We first went to Ibis Pond and then Starr Pond and Osprey pond, the whole walk took about 2.5 hours. Saw a lot of birds and some small gators at Ibis, and some bigger gators and an armadillo (first time we had seen one in the wild) at Osprey.

Well groomed and maintained trails for hiking and biking, The multi specie rookery about .6mile in was quite a surprise. Trails are flat and offers many spots of shade while walking. Bring water! It is free.

If you need to get back to nature, you will enjoy Pinckney Island Refuge. When we came in April, the road was only open up to the parking lot. From here there are hiking and biking trails. It is easy to spend a few hours here.

The Pinckney Island Wildlife refuge is a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours. The wildlife is plentiful and my kids enjoyed see allligators and many different kinds of birds. Its a great outing for social distancing.

I was disappointed with this place. It may be more interesting when the birds are hatching in April/May, but in September, it was kind of a waste of time. Yes, there were some birds there, but it wasn’t very interesting — not worth the time needed to get there. Plus there’s not that much shade so if you do go, I would go early in the morning or late in the day.

The trails are well marked and you could spend hours here. There are benches strategically placed for enjoying the park. It's a good stroll to bird watch. We noticed Herons, different water fowl and raptors during this visit. Osprey could be seen flying over the small ponds. It would be a nice family stroll or you could run the trail as well. It is well marked and ends overlooking Skull Creek. If you have the time it's a nice place to visit. We've been here twice now.

According to the official website, Pinckney Island was established in December 1975, and was once included in the plantation of Major General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a prominent lawyer in South Carolina politics from 1801 to 1815. Few traces of the island's plantation in the 1800's exist today. From 1937 to 1975, when it was donated to the Fish and Wildlife Service, Pinckney Island was privately owned and managed as a game preserve. The 4,053 acre refuge includes several islands and numerous small hammocks. Pinckney is the largest of the islands and the only one open to public use. Nearly 67% of the refuge consists of salt marsh and tidal creeks. A wide variety of land types are found on Pinckney Island alone: salt marsh, forestland, brushland, fallow field and freshwater ponds. The refuge is located in Beaufort County, South Carolina and is 1/2 miles west of Hilton Head Island.

It has long gravel roads and many well marked trails. We hiked for about 4 miles, stopping at Ibis, Osprey and Starr ponds. Ibis Pond was amazing, with egrets and ibis flying, feeding, calling, and nesting. Check out the photos from Ibis Pond, it's well worth the visit when in the area.

The gravel roads were hot and dusty, the grass trails were preferred on this warm day. We spotted cardinals, pileated woodpeckers, wrens, gulls, egrets, and ibis, to mention just a few of the birds seen during our two hour hike. We did not see any alligators, though we'd be reticent to get too close and personal if any came around.

We enjoyed this reserve and would be happy to return. Note that there is not water or rest rooms available, and parking is limited. We arrived early (around 9am) and had no problem parking, When we left around 11:15am, the lot was full.

We saw this area on our way to Hilton Head Island and made sure to stop on our way back to Savannah. It was so beautiful and peaceful. We saw tons of squirrels and birds, but no other wildlife. It was a very relaxing adventure and we will definitely visit again when we return to the area in June. I still can’t believe there was no charge to visit.

Whether you’re walking or riding bikes, you’ll see beautiful local birds in their habitat. Wear sneakers or good walking shoes, definitely need sunscreen and, depending on the time of year, bug spray. Enjoy miles of paths, ponds, and views. Depending on your timing you may be treated to a rookery- hundreds of birds gathering - beautiful and noisy . Nature at its best.

We generally visit here whenever we are on Hilton Head. The best time is spring, when the rookery is very active. Be aware that there is no water and there are no restrooms on the island--be sure to bring sunscreen, water, sun hats, etc. You may see alligators and will be sure to see birds.

This is located right after the bridge when you leave the island. It is about a half mile drive to the parking area which is in a tree area so it keeps your car out of the sun. There are security camera there too. If you walk about a half a mile you will get to Iris pond. That's where all the water birds are hanging out since breeding season is coming around. It was so junto watch the feather display and courtship of the Great Egret - just fun. There were lots of little blues around and coots too.

The island is about 7-8 miles long and you can hike it if you want to, but it is better explored on a bike - which I have done in the past. You cannot rent a bike there - so that means you have to bring it with you. be sure and take water hiking or biking. There is nothing there. There are maps of the area once you arrive in th parking lot.

This park closes at dusk - locked gate.

We rode bikes through almost all the trails. We seen so much! We loved watching Ibises looking for food in the marsh. So many butterflies! We even seen a snake. It was very hot and humid the day we went, make sure you bring drinks as nothing is sold on the island. One mistake we made was that we hadn't brought bug spray-I would highly recommend bringing some.

We have been to the refuge several times, it's a nice walk with lots to see. We have enjoyed it in the fall and winter seasons.

Ibis Pond is very special. Bring your binoculars to see the different birds. Carry a flashlight in case you get to see the Ibises roosting as the sun sets.

A lot of walking but overall worth it! Have been there several times over the years. Have witnessed several rare species.

We biked on eight miles of mostly flat trails, some gravel, some grassy. Lots of birds at this time of year, 2 small crocs and one large in the ponds.

We were staying in Hilton Head in Sept 2017 in between Hurricanes. We found out about the preserve from our concierge at our resort. It was very quiet with beautiful plants, marshlands and various Horticultural formations. We could actually see the preserve from our resort at the Bluewater. Very relaxing, self-paced hike through the preserve.

This is a beautiful wildlife refuge to explore and see the different habitats of the low country.
Definitely use bug spray! The mosquitoes are very prevalent.

We saw a Great Blue Heron and Egret in the marshes by the parking lot.
There were thousands of tiny crabs scrambling all over the ground under the Live Oak and Palm trees.

It is a flat, easy walk on the road to Ibis Pond. It is definitely worth the trip to see all the birds, butterflies, and possibly an Alligator. We saw Ibis on the way to the pond. There were many common Gallinules at the pond, who were very vocal. Another avid birder spotted a Sora hiding in the foliage and branches on the east side of the pond.

We had two very enjoyable hikes on Pinckney. It's easy to reach from the Hilton Head Bridge. Be prepared with excellent insect repellent and water. It's a great place to bird watch. We didn't see any alligators or mammals. The gravel and grass trails are bikeable with a cruiser, mountain or touring bike but leave your road bike at home. Great panoramic views of the mainland, salt marsh and Hilton Head.

We decided to do about an hour walk after looking at the different trails. However it turned into over 2 hours and not in a good way. The trails are poorly marked so it’s easy to get confused, even while taking a map. Small signs with destinations and mileage would go a long way to help. It’s surprising for a nationally run site not to have this. Trails are fine, not much wildlife to see at this time of year but we expected that.

2nd time we have gone to this park, saw more birds this time. Nice easy walk into the park, no facilities or water so be sure to bring some. Several longer walks up 7 miles, so you could spend the whole day if you wanted.

My husband and I went the other day for a lovely easy hike around the Ibis Pond Trail.we loved watching all the waterfowl on the pond. Will definitely go back.

It was crazy driving out to Pinckney Island NWR at 9 a.m. in the morning. The traffic to Hilton Head was worse than many major US cities. But we finally got to the turn off and entered the reserve. There were only a few cars. We walked to the pond. There were very few people there and all were so friendly and helpful with their knowledge of the wildlife. We circled the pond several times and each time was a new experience with great bird life. And this was the off season.

I have a great interest in alligators from a safe distance. This nature reserve offered quite the natural experience for seeing them.. There are no bathroom facilities or water. The walking trails are gravel and rock. You can walk for miles. There were several ponds in this reserve. The third pond we came to had quite a few alligators swimming and sunning. It was very exciting. We even came upon an alligator laying in the grass so be on the look out. We were here in October which was nice and cool with no bugs or humidity. Treat yourself and spend an hour or two here!!

We thought the “plastic” snake on the information kiosk in the parking lot was unnecessary and a little too realistic as we stood very closely studying the map of the refuge. Then, the snake moved! Yikes!! The harmless garter snake moved off into the grass and we started off down the trail. We saw hundreds if not thousands of birds, all kinds, and spotted several alligators in the edges of the waters. The grand finale to our walk was yet another snake, although this time it looked to be a copperhead. It was casually resting(?) in the middle of the gravel road and not inclined to mess with us (nor were we inclined to bother him!). All in all, an adventurous walk for us and a wonderful way to spend a few hours in Hilton Head!

Thos is a BIG place, several miles of trails to either walk or bike. We spent a couple of hours here and walked 3.5 miles total. Several bodies of water and marsh area, lots of wildlife in a peaceful setting. Take bug spray and sunscreen, there are shades trails and wide open areas. Very smooth and flat, we didnt encounter any tough hiking just nice gravel or grass trails.

We took the easy walk from the parking area to Ibis Pond. Roundtrip was about 45 min....at a leisurely pace. There are so many birds and ducks on the trees and in the pond. It was fun to watch them and listen to all the noises they make. Even saw an alligator.

We visited Pickney Island National Wildlife Reserve. It is a great place for the whole family. There are some nice walking and bike trails. The photographer of any skill has the opportunity to photograph some great wildlife subjects. The park is well mapped out. It is a good place to get in a little exercise while checking out the wildlife. It is a beautiful place. It is free but if you like you can make a donation. Go check it out.

This nature preserve is immediately at end of bridge leading to HHI no admission charge and offers great views of Intracostal a waterway and other low country sites. Lots of birds to spot. Nice trails but be advised no restroom facilities or shelters.

Took a tour and having done so, we wish we would have visited sooner. Birds everywhere including bald eagles

In advance, figure that you need to walk a mile to see Ibis Pond which is the first stop in this nature reserve. If you can't walk, don't come. Oh, but it is worth it if you do. Imagine a pond filled with alligators, turtles, and bare trees with white birds roosting and flying over you. Grackles that cackle and tiny crabs that scatter along the pond.

There are many more stops that the trail map say is as much as 5-7 hours away. If you are adventurous, it might be better to rent a bike in Bluffton but there are no bike rentals on the island. Nor is there water or dining facilities. Bring a hat and sunscreen. Check for ticks when you leave and don't step on the fire ant little mounds. But come. It is what the area once looked like centuries ago.

The entry/exit to/from the Refuge is straight from/to the busy motorway, between two bridges, so you must be careful with the traffic. There are some very beautiful lakes about half a mile from the parking, with plenty of birds, turtles, and some alligators. The place is big, and the walk under the sun on the Main Road can be tiring. There are no loops, so you have to go back pretty much the same way.

Did a leisurely 3 mile walk at dusk. BEAUTIFUL!
Great place to enjoy wildlife!
Many birds and saw an armadillo!!
So fun!

We've been here twice before when staying on Hilton Head. This year we went twice - once we walked and once we biked. Both were great days. Lots of wildlife.

You could spend all day here! We did about a half day and had a picnic lunch. Hiked about 5 miles so we only saw a small portion. No water or restrooms, so come prepared. They take great care of the property. We saw tons of bids and squirrels. Lots of crabs and a couple gators. One was about 15 feet!! I would recommend bringing your bike if you have one. You would get to enjoy all the trails and areas. Highly recommend for anyone that enjoys being in nature.

Good place to get away & not be walking on concrete or pavement plus we saw a large variety of birds, ducks, geese as well as alligators

Didn’t see much at all and thats just Mother Nature. We hiked 5 miles on foot and really only saw birds and crabs. I guess we expected a little more but I would recommend biking it next time. You will cover more ground and get your time value. We did probably almost 3 hours here and really, just a hike and didn’t see anything. Timing is everything but its just average. Nice place, clean, pretty, and good for some hiking.

A very well maintained Nature Preserve with 14 miles of trails you can hike or bike. Several wildlife viewing areas where you may even see a gator. If you are into bird watching, this is a great place to view a wide variety of local and seasonal birds. Plenty of signs to help you easily navigate the Preserve. Good for all ages.

We went during the afternoon. It was quite sunny not much shade. The kids were complaining it was too hot. I didn't mind it. If you go with a group who doesn't like it hot probably best to go in the morning. Tons of birds. Seen an alligator. I enjoyed it. But unless you're a bird watcher l would prefer to hike the Sea pines preserve.

What a great place to see living creatures in the wild! And it’s free. This was one of the last things we did while visiting HHI. And it was worth it! But, it was SO hot and humid during late morning iin late June, 95 degrees, already.

We walked round trip approx.1.5 miles to Ibis pond, including around the pond, and back to our van in one hour. This pond made us stop in our tracks because it was extremely full of egrets, ibis, etc.! There was so much noise with bird calling/mating. Great photos.
And, we spotted an alligator in a marshy area. That was one of our goals for visiting.

Then it was time for leaving so the family could get ice cream! (If it was just me, I certainly would have stayed longer.)

Great area to walk and enjoy the bird wildlife. It is quiet and clean , with many birds to view. This was my second trip and I enjoyed photographing the scenery.

Do yourself a favor and be sure to bring a bike - the place is quite large and you will be sad you didn't see more of it (unless you are a dedicated hiker ready to spend an entire day). So peaceful.

We just happened to arrive when they were looking for people to fill out a tour on their electric tour trolley. Excellent docent who showed us much more than if we had hiked on our own.

Well... to start we took the trolly tour for seniors. Very disappointing. The guide was not very knowledgeable, and we only went into the refuge to the first pond. The description on the web site makes you think that you will see the entire refuge by trolly. We only got off at the first pond and saw a few birds. We also got bitten by fire ants, which we were not warned about. I would say, that it you would have a better experience, if you didn't take the trolly If you can walk long distances on a trail, tour it yourself,,you probably will experience more.

Lots of cool wildlife! Some grass trails and some are rock. Trails weren’t busy at 9am or so when we got there (on a Friday), but were quite a bit busier when we left around 11.

Although nearly an hour from our rental in Savannah, I came twice. I had a great photo op with a wood stork who posed for an extended period of time in range of my 300mm lens. I saw both adult and juvenile Granllinule, American Coots, Anhingas, ibis, warbler, wrens, tri-color herons, snowy egrets. Lots of what I think are fiddler crabs. A couple of suggestions: Might want to apply some insect repellant; watch for fire ant mounds, and I'm not so sure this place is pleasant on a hot humid day as shared by a friend who came in August. Be aware, there are no bathrooms or drinkable water sources at the refuge. As you enter from the highway, be aware there's cool stuff along the road in. If coming from Savannah, be cautious as the left turn into the refuge is against heavy traffic partially obscured, and a left turn from the refuge toward Tybee Island is likewise interesting; be patient.

A local bike store owner told me this would be a good place to take my mountain to get away from the family crowds in HHI. Unfortunately, I crashed my bike on the beach the day befor, so I was in no shape to ride. Instead, my husband and I decided to walk on the trails. Warning - there are NO bathrooms here, so be prepared. That is the reason we did not stay and explore longer. I also noticed the parking lot was fairly small. We did walk to the Ibis Pond, which was absolutely amazing. I have never seen so many birds in the same place. The pond is good size and there is a path that circles in. There were many photographers here. If you have a real camera, make sure you bring it. The shots must be fantastic. I honestly could have sat there for awhile just watching the birds interact. I talked to one photographer who mentioned that the pond was even more populated before the hurricane hit several years ago. Hard to believe. This place was so special. I have been to refuges before, but have never seen anything like this. I will definitely return with my bike in the future. I believe there are a total of 14 miles of trails.

Spent a delightful morning exploring Pinckney Island while visiting Hilton Head on vacation. Walking trails are well marked and trail guides give mileage increments for easy planning. Saw many ibis and red beaked ducks at Ibis Pond. Plan ahead (we didn't) ... no restrooms, no water and you'll need bug spray. Hats would be nice as there are sections in full sun.

We took a walk in Pinckney and were surprised by the wild life in the park. We saw all types of bird, ducks and geese. We even saw an alligator. You can spend as little as an hour or stay longer. They have a pavillion and igt is a nice place to picnic.

Easy to get to the Refuge and a decent amount of parking spaces. Well marked trails that enter into Refuge. We only walked the first mile to the first two lakes and walked around both of them. Lots of birds at both sites and spotted two alligator sunning themselves on the shoreline as we walked around. We then walked the mile back to the parking lot. Think the best way to get around the Refuge would be by bicycle. Easy flat riding and it would be much easier to navigate the whole Island from the parking area. To see everything would require covering 8-10 miles of trails.

I have been here several times and always look forward to coming back. Easy walking, beautiful scenery and safe. We have seen an alligator, armadillo, turtles and lots of birds.

Many birds and gators! Lots of photo opps and not too many travelers (March). Some walking on gravel and grass. Birds included Ibis, Egrets, several types of ducks, some cranes, Osprey.

Pinkney Island is definitely my favorite thing about Hilton Head. It is a rookery, which can change drastically from year to year based on storms. On our latest trip, almost all of us saw a painted bunting.

We didn't stay long because the no see ums were terrible. It looked like a great place to hike and bike and we hope to go back.

This is a great place to walk, hike, and ride a bike. Lots of trails and wildlife. Just be sure to grab a map before heading in. There is a lot of land, and to walk to the end and back can take an entire day.

This was a nice morning spent enjoying nature. We spent about 2 hours here walking the trails and seeing the Ibis rookery. Would be a great place to bike ride as well.

We have visited Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge on several visits to Hilton Head. We have seen large flocks of egrets, as well as both green and blue heron, and ibis. I am always afraid of encountering snakes, so I stay well on the gravel path, and so far I have not seen one on Pinckney Island. It is hot, and there are no trees to protect from the sun, so I always wear a hat.

Nice walking paths with room for bicycles, scenic overviews at every turn, benches to sit and just watch the activity and great signs to explain what you are seeing. Afternoon well spent.

This Hilton Head treasure features the wonders of the area. From marshes to wildlife, it is all here. We took a guided tour with other locals and tourists. We enjoyed viewing local birds, fire ants (be careful!), and alligators. This is not to be missed!!!

Didn't go out to Bluffton for a bird walk; but a wedding. Stopped by at the NWR hoping to see something and we were so excited to see the nesting egrets at Ibis Pond! There are no toilets or water fountains; so come prepared. Bring a hat or sunscreen too.

Children and adults alike will enjoy this museum. One building has historical displays ad the other has exhibits of local small wildlife.

A large place to visit by foot. To see the whole area one would need bicycles. We got there about 2:30 PM and took a 2 and 1/2 mile walk with many stops for pictures and savoring the natural beauty. There are many miles of trails but we discovered to see much you would need the whole day. We saw an alligator, several turtles, and many different species of bird. We plan to go back tomorrow and at least the day after to explore more. For us it has been the best part of our trip to Hilton Head.

We visit Pinckney Island with every trip to Hilton Head, and either walk or take a bike ride to visit this wonderful place. Be prepared for inclement weather, since summer storms can pop up at a moment's notice. We were caught at the south tip of the island on a long bike ride and got a little damp, but it didn't dampen our spirits. Shore birds nest in several spots by the hundreds. Alligators are around as well. Ran into one on the road after the rain had paused. Round trip bike rides on the main road take a couple of hours, 9.5 miles exactly. No bathrooms or other facilites are there, so plan accordingly.

This place is unbelievably beautiful! Come prepared with plenty of drinking water on those hot days and allow yourself plenty of time to explore. If possible bring bikes as it lends itself perfect for exploring by bicycles!

Nice place to take a bike ride into nature. But it was even more fun to take a boat ride around the island and beyond with the Live Oak Boating Company. You ALWAYS see dolphin and at high tide you may also see an eagles nest with its occupants.

Had a chance to visit on a morning before conference sessions began that afternoon; therefore, could only do the walk around the Ibis Pond which is rookery. Awesome! So many different species of birds. Roadway is gravel (no driving beyond parking area) so good for walking or biking. There were several folks there exercising in the early morning. Path and area around Ibis Pond very well maintained. Enjoy!

Wish we'd planned this out a bit to be prepared for longer walk. Took the 1.3 mile Ibis Lake walk and it was gorgeous.Beautiful walking trails. No facilities or water.

This free attraction is wonderful for outdoor lovers. The trails are broad and paved or graveled. Descriptive signs highlight the flora and fauna of salt marshes. At the Ibis Pond there is a mounted telescope to aid in birdwatching. We even saw a few butterflies in December at the Butterfly Garden. We'll be back!

I visited in early October when it was still warm with temperatures in the mid eighties to ninety and humid. The trails on the island are flat and therefore very easy for running. The main trail which is about two miles long is mostly small gravel. I was bitten several times by what I understand are small flies. But after a shower I no longer felt the bites. I also observed several birds including some blue herons. If I ever go back to Hilton Island when it’s cool, I would enjoy hiking all the subtending trails of the main trail and checking out all the ponds.

Please be careful when entering and leaving the park. The auto traffic on the bridge to Hilton Head is horrendous. Crazy!

We spent 2 hours here enjoying the wetlands and peaceful environment. We enjoyed our outing but we're surprised that we saw very few birds or other creatures. Saw more ant hills and animal droppingsj but not what I expected. We did enjoy our time in the refuge but maybe during mid day in November is not optimal for wildlife traffic. When you leave the refuge turning left to go to HHI is nearly impossible due to the traffic volume so I recomend turning right then making a U turn at the light about a mile up the road rather than risking an accident making a left out of the refuge. Highly recommend a refreshing and mind clearing stroll in the refuge.

An excellent opportunity to bone up on the history and evolution of the Island. Free entrance to this walk though museum will take about 3/4 hour and is not to be missed, as it is extremely well don. there is also an outside property walk that features the flora and fauna of the island as well.

We spent an afternoon exploring the refuge, spotting about 20 different species of birds (fortunately we were with a birder who helped with the identification). It was refreshing, quiet, unspoiled nature. If you have young children, don’t bother with a stroller, though, and be sure to take water.

We went for a hike to visit this National wildlife refuge with myself, my husband and our two teenage kids. It was crazy hot and humid that day.
We really enjoyed our 4 mile hike - The Ibis pond was like nothing I had ever seen with all of the birds living in that area - very cool. We would have been able to see more of the park if we had brought bicycles so I would highly recommend that. We really didn't see much other wildlife but i think if you went earlier in the morning your chances would increase - it was HOT!
Be sure to bring sunscreedn, bug spray and plenty of water.

We went here hoping to see some wildlife. It's a nice place to walk but i recommend going in the morning. We saw lots of birds and little fiddler crabs but it's really hot and muggy in the afternoon right now. The marshes are interesting to look at and explore. Good way to kill some time.

Make sure you go when it's High Tide. No security, no restrooms, and no wildlife to speak of. Don't really understand what the big deal is for visitors.

Nice place to walk, very few amenities. There is a bathroom near the parking area and then nothing else. Bring your own water. Lots of walking in the sun, some areas of the road are shaded, but not most. Lots of birds. We did not find any alligators. We only walked as far as Ibis pond before turning around.

Whether walking or riding a bike, this adventure is worth seeing. Take your camera! Experience wildlife in a setting that will be remembered.

Beautiful wildlife refuge within 15-20 minutes from most places on Hilton Head Island. Highly recommend a visit. We have done both walking tours (take bug repellent and water) and boat tour through Live Oac Outdoor Adventure Company. Over the years, we have seen Bald Eagles, Dauphins, deer and a wide variety of birds and plants.

We've been to HHI 6 or 7 times. But this is the first visit to Pinckney Island. The oreserve is very well maintained. There are beautiful scenic views and lots of wildlife. The walk back on the same trail was entirely different because of the changing tide. Can't wait to get back when our granddaughters are with us.

Have visited twice now and will be back again before our holiday is done. The hiking was great. We walked 10 miles one day! The photo opportunities were great. The wildlife, especially birds, incredible.

Did a 7 mile walk here on an off-golf day. After the first little bit, we didn't see another soul, which we like. Easy walking paths and enjoyed the day for something different than the beach. Will return.

On our way to explore Bluffton, we saw the sign and decided to stop. So glad we did. Very relaxing place, even with many visitors. We walked the short round trip to Ibis Pond, enjoyed the informative placards along the way, and moved at our own pace. Saw three alligators, lots of turtles, numerous ibis, grey herons, a bald eagle, and many other birds I can’t name. Views across the marshlands were expansive and pretty. The only thing that would have made our trip better was binoculars. Note: there are no restrooms or water, so be prepared.

Beautiful place to stroll or bike. So many beautiful birds to view. Alligators to check out - just a great place to get back to nature.

If in the area, Pinckney Island provides a good venue for a nature walk, I would plan to spend an hour or two at most. Wide trails, might want to take a photo of the map posted on your phone to reference for orientation. If you are observant you will see a number of interesting birds.
I found the history of the island( you can read about it on plaques posted) very interesting as well, former plantation.
There are no restroom facilities on the island, not even outhouses.

I visited this reserve in April 2017. What a place! There is a donation slot for a cash donation but otherwise this place is free of charge.

parking is in a gravel lot and don't leave valuables in your car.

After leaving the parking lot on foot or bicycle you are rewarded with thousands of tropical birds, crabs, alligators and other critters. It could be a hot walk depending on the time of year, so bring water.

Very interesting somewhat unexpected island wildlife refuge. Good for bikers but great for hikers. You access it from the highway 278 bridge so it is somewhat awkward to bike there from the Hilton Head island biking trail system but if you can bring your bikes with you Pinckney Island is perfect for bicycling. The entrance is free. You have to be aware there is no visitors center or facilities so plan accordingly.
We explored it on foot. The surface varied. Walking on sand was more pleasant than on pebbles. The hiking trails are quite expansive here but there are milestone locations you can explore on your way. Do not miss ibis pond.
On our way we saw numerous white ibis, herons, and egrets and rich flora.
The island has a long history of human settlements since prehistoric times.

This is an extensive refuge between the bustle of Bluffton and Hilton Head. The walking paths/crushed rock roads you walk on are easy for most. They go for miles. Plan on seeing lots of native bird and duck species but no wildlife. The deer, etc. are nocturnal. We visit regularly since we spend the winters on Hilton Head. Our goal is exercise, not sight seeing.

We took our 12 yo son here for a morning bike ride. We arrived at 0830 and rode out to Whitepoint. The trail was crusher run with off shoots that were grass or grass/root. Pretty enough, lots of birds. Saw two baby alligators. Couldn't actually access Whitepoint as the trail was closed just at the end. No admission, parking was free, no services, no bathrooms, so plan accordingly.

This is a great place to hike and bike. There is a nice gravel path and lots of nature to see. Unfortunately though, parking is very limited and there are no restrooms or water fountains.

Pinckney Island was amazing. My wife, son, and a biked about 8 miles through several of the trails and saw so much wildlife and beautiful scenery. We saw deer, birds, crab, and an alligator. I’d definitely recommend bringing bikes to efficiently view the island. It is completely flat, and the trails are well-maintained, so it should be no trouble for someone who doesn’t regularly ride bikes.

We discovered this area last year on our spring break trip. We enjoyed our walk here so we returned this year. Nice area to take a walk and see wildlife. The parking area is small so the earlier you get here, the easier it is to get a parking space.

This is a great place to slow down. Hardly anyone there. Rare for HHI. Good parking and lots of trails

Take a day and explore this island. Every turn unfolds more beauty from the Spanish moss hanging from the trees to the deep pine woods. The best place to visit is Osprey Pond where lots of varieties of birds gather. I saw baby coots among the reeds, which was a first. The trails are well paved and the scenery is breathtaking. Bring bug spray because this is salt marsh and mosquitoes are bothersome.

We used Google maps to find the trail head - ha ha - we were directed to a gated community. The guard gave us directions - take the bridge that goes off the island and make a right at the start of the bridge.
Really nice natural area to hike/bike. Unfortunately we did not have a great visit because it was very cold and windy - only did the walk out/back to the pond.
Would love to come back another day.
Ample parking but no restrooms.

Enjoyed the walk on the trail we seen a coyote and some other wildlife as well. We plan to return at a later date to complete the entire trail!

I know many of you think the last thing you want to do is go on a long walk on a hot day. If you enjoy nature you should schedule time to visit Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge. It is well worth your time, you will get some amazing views.

May is a great time to walk to Ibis pond and see all the nesting birds. Also seen an alligator, dolphins, and fiddler crabs. Highly recommended if you love nature.

One of our favorite hikes is on Pinckney Island. Both of us are bird lovers so this is an peasy hike that gives us so many opportunities to bird watch. There are many trails so you can determine the length of your hike. (For us this is mostly an easy walk). It will not be warmer or cooler than the beach but it is usually less windy. I suggest you go at least as far as Egret Island. Once we watched an osprey devour a fish and once (at a different time) we watched a golden eagle. WARNING- there are no restrooms and you will need to bring your own water but is these two senior citizens can do this you can, too. Go and be amazed!

This place exceeded my expectations. The rookery was amazing. We saw so many nesting birds, including herons and egrets. It was so easy to see the nests and young. We also saw many songbirds, alligators, a snake and a large turtle, all within a short walk. I highly recommend. This would be a great destination for children because the wildlife is so easy to find.

We only had time to hike into Ibis Pond. Flat, well-maintained trail (actually a gravel road). Nice signs and displays to learn from. The Pond had a rookery plus lots of egrets and other birds, turtles, etc. We also saw plenty of birds while hiking. We really enjoyed our short visit to the refuge and hope to return. On a future visit, we'd like to bring bicycles so that we can see more of it. It seems ideal for bicycling. Important: there are no bathrooms in the refuge, so be prepared. Also, there are bathrooms in the parking area either .... so be prepared well in advance!

Pickney Island is a place where you can walk, and walk and get lost in the scenery. It is well laid out with wide walkways for walking and biking. The only thing I disliked was the access to the park. Both lanes were bumper to bumper going 50 mph.

Wonderful and beautiful place away from all the HHI traffic. Lots of birding ops and if you're lucky, a gator. We were not lucky, or maybe we were! Nice walking trails and benches here and there if you need them. Another must-do when you visit HHI

This is a great place for a nice hike and get away. Most people fly past it going over the bridge from Blufton to HHI but it is a nice stop. Some nice hiking trails and the bird watching is great including seeing ibis nesting in the trees.

If you love wildlife and especially wildlife photography this place is a must. Easy to get to by car although parking is limited the Refuge is just wonderful. I visited 3 times during a 3 week vacation and saw something wonderful and different every time. Insect repellant is a must. Beautiful landscapes, immaculately managed (albeit still a wild place) and a local treasure. Recommended.

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is a good place to go to get a sense of the natural world in the Hilton Head, South Carolina area. There were Ibis aplenty to be seen. There were stand binoculars set up (no cost) in order to zoom in close on the birds and view their nesting area. You are able to see the water surrounding the island and the different types of vegetation. The paths are fairly easy to find. Maps are available at the entrance to the park.

We went when the alligators were not out. I would be concerned if it was an active alligator season as there are no barriers between where the alligators are to be found and where you are walking. I have a healthy respect for gators.

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is comparably easy to get to. The parking is limited and there are no washrooms or places to get drinking water. It is between the two causeways going into and out of Hilton Head. You can get an excellent view of the causeways from the island.

All in all, it is well worth the time to visit and get outside. It is truly a "free" thing to do and is good for the whole family. Dress for the weather. If you are bringing a baby, bring something to carry them in and not a stroller.

Wanted to drive through and look for birds and other animals to photograph. Area was only available for hiking and the driving roads were all closed. Maybe it was the time of year.

On our way to Bluffton to see the Farmers Market, we passed the sigh for Pinckney Island. Did a U-turn on our way back and were immediately enchanted by the circular, wooded drive just past the entrance to the refuge. Heard several song birds, got a photo of a couple hiding in the brambles just off the causeway. On our way out my wife pointed out a flock of birds off in the distance. I was able to pullover and get out the camera and tripod. Was just set up when the Great Egrets flew over, one settling several yards from shore. Then a mass exodus of 20 or so Snowy Egrets and a Little Blue Heron flew directly at us. The egrets continued on. The Little blue set down just in the weeds of the marsh. Here are the Great Egret and Little Blue. No bugs that day the fish were just coming back on the tide. We'll be back in the spring with bug spray.

Beautiful wildlife preserve with many walking trails, salt marshes, birds, and alligators.Everything is well marked and easy to find. I was there when the rookery was filled with egrets, ducks, and herons .Just be prepared there are no restrooms!

My family and I often research wildlife enriched areas to visit. The images found while planning our visit to Pinckney did not do this place justice. It is much more than we hoped it would be. We had hoped to find an armadillo, and certainly succeeded!

Enjoyed the variety of paths and wildlife. Paths were well kept and well marked. Signage helped identify birds. Really enjoyed the butterfly garden

This place is gives the visistor an idea what the area looked like before Hiklton Head was developed. It is preserved nature at its best. Be aware that there are no rest room facilities!!!! There are no drinking facilities!!! Bring a backpack with water, wear sunglasses and a reflective hat on sunny day, wear mosquito spray. Spring is the best time to go to see the nests of all the birds including herons ospreys, cranes, ibis, etc.... The roosting area is profoundly overwhelming for a nature photographer. Plenty to see if you want a long days hike or walk or if you are interested in seeing more bring your bike to see more and cover more area. Early Summer is hotter and more intense but brings out some unusual butterflies as well as early fall. Birds are still visible in the roosting area but not as prolific. Remember to come prepared>

We went early on a very hot day. It was decent but wear the bug spray and bring lots of water. The nature is nice but in my opinion, there are better places to bike in closer proximity where we were staying. My teen daughters said never again although if you like nature you may feel differently.

Refuge is very accessible by foot or bike. We only walked to Ibis Pond but were delighted to find an egret rookery there. We would have liked to explore further but were unable to at this time. If you like birdwatching, I highly recommend a visit.

We arrived around 9am, found ample shaded parking. Ride gravel paths on bikes pulling trailers, which I recommend to cover more ground. We saw an alligator on the marsh even before reaching ibis pond. Make sure to pack water and bug spray. No restrooms available, so plan for that as well. Such a great experience.

A group of us went to this place. It was about 1 mile walk from the cars. Nice walk. Quiet and peaceful.

This is a great place to stop and walk the trails look ,around and enjoy life here.Love the wildlife!

This is a beautiful area, but be ready for LOTS of walking! To get to the first pond was almost a mile walk so young children may not be able to make it the whole island walking. It’s definitely worth the stop as it’s very pretty and there’s lot of birds to be seen. We saw a fox while driving in too! Pinckney island is before you reach Hilton Head and is free to enter. Bring lots of water and your walking shoes as there’s only one way to enter so however far you walk in you have to walk that back out! We only made it the first mile in as my 6 and 11 year old were already tired from another stop, but even just that far was amazing to see! Lots of marsh land and birds and crabs were seen. Amazing walking area and was stroller friendly, it’s a dirt road though so a running stroller would be better I didn’t have one this trip and it still worked out just a little harder in some spots.

Short journey from our hotel on Hilton Head. Apparently lots of birds and alligators to see, but we did not encounter too much.
Great walk though.

We walked the 9.2 mile round trip to White Point. Very enjoyable nature walk with dedicated ponds to observe wildlife. Bring water and good shoes. There are no water fountains or bathrooms. We had lunch on white point beach.

Beautiful place for a peaceful walk. We saw lots of wildlife including an armadillo right as we got out of our car, gators, egrets, and wood ducks.

Great place to take a hike or bike ride. We went there once during our 2-weeks in Hilton Head. Lots of different birds. If you like nature and the outdoors this is the place to go. Hiking/biking trails are very easy. I would definitely go back if we are in the area again - maybe next time take our bikes so we could see more of the area.

This preserve is a great place to see birds, alligators, and enjoy the marshes in the low country. You need to walk about a mile to get into a great viewing area. This area is kept very clean and is safe.

The nesting Ibis were a short 1 mile walk from the parking area on a beautifully maintained trail. There were also numerous placards describing the flora and fauna of the island. It is a fascinating and serenely beautiful experience.

We walked Pinckney twice. The first time we walked out and circle Star Pond. The grass paths are well maintained. We saw a hundred (or more) ibis at Ibis Pond both times we walked. The second time we walked out to Bull Point. There is no restroom or water available on the island so plan accordingly. It is very quiet area with a handful of people you come across. Benches are found along the way.

Great place to see birds We walked to 4 of the ponds. The first has a rookery with herons and egrets nesting. Great place for photos and birders. We also saw a ribbon snake

We just happened onto this Wildlife preserve and found it in excellent condition. There were short foot trails to many areas along the marshy waterway that would make good viewing of birds, however at the time we were there we saw none. The parking lot was almost full so it apparently has great viewing if you're there at the right time of day.

Great walking trails bring you close to nature and birds, The trail brought my parents a little too close to a 10 ft alligator - do not mess around with those folks - this is not seaworld - this is the real thing and they move quickly. I like it but it is NOT dog friendly and it seems isolated. I would not feel comfortable walking there alone. Go with a friend and a charged cellphone

The preserve was well maintained and the trails were clearly marked. We walked the trail so only went in a couple of miles. If we were on a bike , we would have gone further. We saw some birds and two alligators in the ponds. When we went it was later in the day and overcast, so I think we would have seen more earlier and on a sunny day. There were many people in the preserve but I think I would have felt safer if there were some type of ranger or security there.

We got lost on gps it took us to squire road. Please make sure to enter it correctly. It's a beautiful trail. There is parking but limited. We walked down a gravel path to beautiful views of, trees, ponds, birds. It took us about 1.5 hrs. You can walk around the pond for different views. We saw a variety of birds that they define on a board.

I enjoyed walking around the trails. Be prepared there are no restrooms on this island, if you have to go you will have to find a tree or a bush. We were here on a rather chilly day so we didn't see that much wildlife but I'm sure it is there.

Saw a few gators, lots of waterfowl, and several nesting Great Egrets in rookery in middle of pond. (Not Ibises, but still really cool)