Facility Activities

Watching and photographing wildlife is popular on the refuge. Waterfowl observation (during the winter) and bear watching (nearly year-round) are the most popular, but other birds and wildlife are plentiful on Pungo as well. Walking and hiking is permitted anywhere on the refuge unless the area is posted as closed. Bicycling is allowed on all established roads and trails designated as open to the public. In addition, there are opportunities for deer and feral hog hunting and fishing in the many canals on the refuge. The refuge offers education programs and tours, as well as opportunities for school and youth group education programs. Boating is allowed on the refuge on Alligator and Scuppernong Rivers, Frying Pan Lake, and on New Lake from February through November. Horseback riding is only allowed with a Special Use Permit (contact the refuge for details).

When on the refuge, keep safety in mind at all times. It’s important to remember that no matter how cute or calm an animal might appear one minute, things can change instantly. Do not approach or feed wildlife, and do not allow wildlife to approach in close proximity. Keep safe distances from female wildlife and their offspring.

Please observe all signage and do not enter any areas marked closed. Sometimes, roads have to be temporarily closed because they become impassable. Please contact our offices to receive the most up-to-date information on road closures for the Pungo Unit. In addition, some roads have posted weight limits and cannot support vehicles heavier than a typical pickup truck or standard SUV. Be aware of road signs indicating weight limits and closures. During the deer hunting season, all visitors must wear orange if away from their vehicles.

Auto tour

The refuge does not have a formal wildlife drive, but driving refuge roads is an excellent way to observe wildlife, especially on the Pungo Unit. There are about 80 miles of roads on the refuge that are open to noncommercial, licensed vehicles that are less than 8,000 pounds. All state traffic...

Wildlife watching

Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge has what is believed to be one of the largest concentrations of black bear found in the United States. In addition, visitors may see many species of wildlife, such as wintering waterfowl, bobcats, otters. Dawn and dusk are when animals are most active on...

Photography

Photography opportunities are endless at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge:  from shooting photos of a black bear with her cubs as they forage and feed on sweet cane along the roadside, to tens of thousands of migrating waterfowl, to a leaping white-tailed deer as it darts into the...

Hunting

The refuge offers excellent hunting for deer, very good hunting for quail and rabbits, and opportunities for raccoons, ducks, opossums, woodcocks, squirrels, rails, and snipe. The refuge also allows the take of feral hogs in most areas. 

170 miles of unimproved roads all across the...

Education programs

Pocosin Lakes NWR is excited to offer several engaging programs for visitors. Come to the Red Wolf Center to learn about these endangered wolves and visit a pair of live wolves, or join us for a winter tour of the Pungo Unit to see thousands of wintering waterfowl and learn about the role of the...

Birding

Pocosin Lakes NWR is famous for its large concentrations of wintering waterfowl, including tundra swans, snow geese, and other ducks. Lucky observers may see a rare species such as a sandhill crane. The refuge’s pocosin peatlands are summer breeding habitats for a variety of neotropical migrants...

Fishing

Fishing in canals is popular during spring and summer months. The primary species caught include black fish, black crappie, several species of sunfish, and catfish.

Refuge lands include 4.5 miles of shoreline along Lake Phelps, a 16,500-acre lake that is part of Pettigrew State Park, and...

Hiking

The refuge offers several trails where visitors can experience the habitats and wildlife on the refuge. All refuge trails are easy walks. The Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk is located behind the Visitor Center in Columbia; the Duck Pen Wildlife Trail is located on the Pungo Unit off of...

Biking

Bicycling is allowed on all established roads and trails open to the public; off-road bicycling is not permitted. Unless otherwise posted, nearly 250 miles of refuge roads across the refuge are open to bicycling. Approximately 170 miles of refuge roads are unimproved and mowed on a three-year...

Archery

Archery hunting opportunities are available on the refuge; see the Hunting section for full details.

Boating - non-motorized

The refuge can be accessed by boat from the north and southwest forks of the Alligator River, New Lake Fork Canal, Alligator and Scuppernong Rivers, and Frying Pan Lake. Though boating on New Lake is allowed March through October, access is difficult due to surrounding private land. Boating on...

Boating - motorized

The refuge can be accessed by boat from the north and southwest forks of the Alligator River, New Lake Fork Canal, Alligator and Scuppernong Rivers, and Frying Pan Lake. Though boating on New Lake is allowed March through October, access is difficult due to surrounding private land. Boating on...

Dog walking

All domestic pets (dogs, cats, etc.) must be properly confined or leashed and under the owners control at all times. Pets are not permitted on the Duck Pen Wildlife Trail.