4 Rattlesnake Hotspots In South Carolina

Of the 38 snake species that call South Carolina home, only six are venomous. These include three different species of rattlesnakes—the pigmy rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake (also known as the canebrake rattlesnake), and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

While these intimidating pit vipers are generally shy and reclusive, they are found throughout South Carolina and in a wide variety of habitats. Visitors should be aware that they may be in rattlesnake territory when enjoying the state’s beautiful wilderness areas, parks and nature preserves.

Santee National Wildlife Refuge

Snakebite deaths are extremely rare in South Carolina, but they do happen. In 2016, conservationist Wayne Grooms was on a field trip in the Santee National Wildlife Refuge when a rattlesnake fatally bit him, believed to be a timber rattler.

Timber rattlesnakes are large, thick snakes that grow up to 5 feet long and have dark crossbands running down their bodies. They are found on rocky bluffs, in forested woodlands, and wooded areas near rivers, streams, and swamps. The 15,000-acre Santee National Wildlife Refuge has plenty of undisturbed and ecologically rich habitats for vipers to soak up the sun, take shelter, and forage. If you’re walking the trails, be careful when you step and be aware that rattlesnakes may be tucked under leaf litter, in rocky crevices, or inside hollowed-out logs.

The preserve includes the scenic 110,600-acre Lake Marion reservoir and a 1,200-year-old Native American site, the Santee Indian Mound. Stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a trail map or an auto tour route map and see educational exhibits and a native pollinator garden.

Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area

Many visitors come to the Jocassee Gorges WMA to hike the 80-mile Foothills Trail, which travels from Table Rock State Park in the east to Oconee State Park in the west, cutting through the heart of the Jocassee Gorges Tract. The route traverses mountain slopes, passes through woodlands, and follows streams and rivers, offering numerous beautiful backcountry viewpoints along the way.

Hikers on the Foothills Trail often report seeing rattlesnakes, and they are also encountered around the shores of Lake Jocassee. In the warmer months, rattlers like to find a sunny spot near the water to bask and enjoy the sunshine. If you are walking in this area, stick to marked trails and wear long trousers and boots that cover your ankles to reduce your chance of a bite. It’s also worth noting that snakes aren’t the only thing to watch out for in the Jocassee Gorges. It’s also the largest black bear habitat in the state and home to feral hogs, deer, and bobcats.

Francis Marion National Forest

All three of the state’s rattlesnakes have been spotted in the forests and swamps of the Francis Marion National Forest, located in South Carolina’s coastal plains. In this region, timber rattlesnakes are a tan to pink-orange color, rather than the yellow and black shades of the mountain rattlers. The maritime grasslands of the coast are a particular draw for eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, which take their name from the diamond-shaped markings along their spine.

Named for a Colonial soldier, the forest spans a vast area of 259,000 acres. If you want to join the many hikers, bikers, and campers who explore the forest each year, your first stop should be the Seewee Visitors Center near Point Hope, where you can pick up trail maps, check the events schedule, and see if there are any current alerts.

Ellicott Rock Wilderness Nature Preserve

Located at the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 3,900-acre Ellicott Rock Wilderness contains the unspoiled rugged terrain, rocky bluffs, and shady riverbanks that timber rattlesnakes love. The area is quite remote, but there are access points from Burrell’s Ford, which leads to the Chattooga River Trail, the Chattooga Picnic Area, and the Sloan Bridge Picnic Area, where you’ll find the trailhead to the Fork Mountain Trail.

The timber rattlesnakes in this area differ slightly from those found in the coastal Piedmont region. The timber rattlers who live in South Carolina’s mountainous terrain are yellow to black with darker crossbands down their spine. They are typically found in south-facing rocky outcrops, which provide suitable shelter for dens in the winter. In the warmer months, they venture out to hunt their diet of mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks. They sometimes hunt in an unusual way, curled against the base of a tree with their heads angled upwards, waiting for a squirrel to come down the trunk.

Be Safe, Not Scared

Don’t let fear of snakes—known as ophidiophobia—keep you from enjoying South Carolina’s beautiful recreation areas. These scenic havens are special areas where visitors, residents, and local wildlife can coexist harmoniously, provided a few common-sense precautions are taken. Rattlesnakes are most active from late spring to early fall, and at dawn and dusk. They can’t regulate their body temperature, so they tend to avoid extremes such as the blazing midday heat and the winter cold. If you’re outdoors at these times, keep an eye out for places rattlers like to hide, such as hollow logs, rock piles, and leafy forest floors. Watch your step, make plenty of noise, and let the snakes get out of your way. They want to avoid an encounter as much as you do!