This 15,000-acre refuge lies within the Atlantic Coastal Plain and includes mixed hardwoods, pine plantations, marsh, croplands, old fields, ponds, impoundments, and open water. Four management units of the refuge stretch over 18 miles along the northern shore of Lake Marion supporting an array of habitats and wildlife including alligators, numerous reptile & amphibians, 300 birds (bald eagle, osprey, waterfowl, numerous shore and wading birds, painted buntings). Hunting and fishing are other activities here.