Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1932 and protects an extensive coastal brackish marsh on Pamlico Sound in Hyde County, North Carolina. The refuge is composed of both forested wetlands and open marsh and features thousands of migratory waterfowl during the winter, including American black duck, bufflehead, and northern pintail. American alligators, bald eagles, black bear, and secretive marsh birds also reside in the refuge. Approximately 8,800 acres of the refuge are designated as the Swanquarter National Wilderness Area, part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Visit Us
Visitors can enjoy wildlife-dependent recreation, including fishing, hunting, and birding. Access to the refuge is by boat or along a 2-mile gravel road off NC Hwy 264. This road travels across an expansive marsh and a forested area then leads to Bell Island Pier on the shoreline of Pamlico Sound. Beautiful vistas and pleasant breezes make the 1,000-foot-long Bell Island Pier a popular destination.
