Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area on a former military airfield with 2,762 acres of saltwater marsh, grassland, mixed deciduous woods, and cropland. The land contains multiple habitat types that support a wide variety of animal and plant life.

The land was owned by William Thomas Harris in the 1700s and later served as an Army airfield during World War II. It became a wildlife refuge in 1962 and has been managed for conservation ever since.

The refuge is part of the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, a network of 18 sites across Georgia dedicated to bird watching and nature learning. This connection to other protected areas helps visitors understand how different habitats support wildlife populations across the region.

The refuge offers over 15 miles of paved roads and trails available daily from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm at no charge. Well-maintained pathways lead through different habitat areas and provide good opportunities to see wildlife.

This site is home to Georgia's largest wood stork colony, a nesting area that draws attention from bird watchers across the region. The presence of these large wading birds makes it a key location for understanding coastal bird populations.

Location: Georgia

Inception: 1962

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/harris_neck

GPS coordinates: 31.63330,-81.26670

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46