Visit Us
If you are in the Charleston area and wish get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, take a leisurely drive down the oak lined road that leads to Bears Bluff National Fish Hatchery. The 31 acres offers a self-guided walking trail that highlights the South Carolina Lowcountry ecosystem. Come visit us for some quality time outdoors.
Bears Bluff NFH is just one of the many field stations of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service whose mission is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Activities
Visitors can immerse themselves in the great outdoors and experience what the Lowcountry has to offer.
Take a walk on the self-guided trail.
Learn about the environment from informational signs and kiosks.
Check out the variety of birds and wildlife found in the Lowcountry.
Maybe spot an alligator or painted bunting.
Have a picnic under the shade of an old oak tree
Trails
Bears Bluff National Fish Hatchery has one, self-guided walking trail that offers views highlighting the South Carolina Lowcountry ecosystem.
The Bears Bluff Loop Trail
Open: Year Round
Length: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
The Bears Bluff Loop Trail begins near the large kiosks at the facilities entrance. Interpretive signs at the trailhead provide information about the hatchery. From there, small yellow trail markers with animal tracks will guide you along the grassy path towards the boardwalk going over the freshwater pond. Continue to follow the yellow trail markers past the freshwater pond and cinderblock laboratory. Stop near the greenhouses to view the pollinator gardens before you continue making your way to the boardwalk over the salt marsh salt marsh
Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.
Learn more about salt marsh . The yellow trail signs will take you over grass and gravel, past saltmarsh and production ponds, past the administration offices and oyster shell collection sites. Walk the entire thing or only portions, the choice is up to you.
If the parking area near the entrance is full, follow the road towards the Fish Hatchery. There is more parking near the cinderblock laboratory. Trail maps can be obtained from an easy access box located near the laboratory's entrance door.
Related Documents
Rules and Policies
Dogs are permitted in outdoor areas as long as they are kept on leash and controlled at all times, and owners remove and properly dispose of any waste generated.
Due to safety issues, please do not go on the freshwater float dock or saltwater dock.
No fishing is allowed in the freshwater pond, except during approved special events.
Please do not go into unauthorized areas without permission.