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Moss Creek Nature Preserve

Moss Creek · Bluffton, South Carolina

Sailboat at low tide. Low tide on the marsh, one sailboat out on the creek.

Sailboat at low tide. Low tide on the marsh, one sailboat out on the creek. 85,907 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Mar 2013

Map of Moss Creek Nature Preserve on Hilton Head Island
Where it is. The pin is the Moss Creek Nature Preserve in Bluffton — trails, boardwalks and a lake with a bird rookery. Tap the map to open it in Google Maps. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Location: Moss Creek Nature Preserve, Bluffton

Category: Nature Preserve

Best For: A rookery lake full of spoonbills, ibis and herons

The Archive: 63 photos · 220,952 views on Google Maps

The marsh. The dog park. The preserve bridge. Marsh sunset. The rookery lake. The lake, wide. Hiking trails. Spoonbills in the rookery. Across the lake. The pecan grove. Walking trails. Lake sunset. The rookery at sunset. The grassy trail. The estuary. The boardwalk. Preserve marsh. February sunrise. March sunset. Sunrise over the marsh. The creek. The gravel path. The rookery, close. The shaded path. The marsh pond. Marsh and pines. Heron on the oysters. Marsh fog. Anhinga. Boardwalk oaks. Moonrise. Heron on a log. Low-tide creek. Spoonbills and egrets. Path and marsh. The lake boardwalk. Dawn. The marsh channel. Sunrise, portrait. The live oak. Moon over water. Ibis, close. The preserve map. Sunset, with birds. The inlet. The bench. The rookery tree. The sunlit trail. The golden trail. The white bridge. Marsh sky. The rookery, portrait. The paved trail. Boardwalk and oak. The rookery, 2026. The woods path. Marsh views. The boardwalk curve. Ibis and neighbors. October trail. September trail. The trail map sign.

Inside the Moss Creek community in Bluffton sits a nature preserve of trails, boardwalks and marsh — and one lake with a rookery tree that fills every summer with white ibis, roseate spoonbills, herons and anhingas. The preserve trail system runs past the marsh, the pecan grove and the residents' dog park. The photo at the top of this page has been viewed 85,907 times on Google Maps. More Moss Creek: the golf club and the marina.

Key Takeaways

  • 63 photos, shot between 2018 and 2026: 220,952 views on Google Maps and counting.
  • The rookery is the headline: one tree holds ibis, spoonbills, herons, anhingas and night herons at once.
  • Most of the trail and rookery frames are recent — shot in 2025 and 2026, still gathering views.

Tagged Features

The RookeryTrailsBoardwalksThe MarshDog Park
The marsh. Cordgrass and creek water — the preserve's front yard.
The marsh. Cordgrass and creek water — the preserve's front yard. 56,902 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Mar 2013
The dog park. Residents only — the dog park gate lays down the law, politely.
The dog park. Residents only — the dog park gate lays down the law, politely. 38,979 views on Google Maps · Photo taken May 2023
The preserve bridge. The boardwalk bridge on the biking trail, sun coming through the pines.
The preserve bridge. The boardwalk bridge on the biking trail, sun coming through the pines. 4,369 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Marsh sunset. The sun drops over the marsh grass.
Marsh sunset. The sun drops over the marsh grass. 3,300 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Mar 2013
The rookery lake. The preserve lake in August — the rookery trees line the far shore.
The rookery lake. The preserve lake in August — the rookery trees line the far shore. 3,062 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
The lake, wide. Evening on the preserve lake, the rookery island mirrored whole.
The lake, wide. Evening on the preserve lake, the rookery island mirrored whole. 2,083 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
Hiking trails. Palms and pines crowd the hiking trail.
Hiking trails. Palms and pines crowd the hiking trail. 1,905 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Spoonbills in the rookery. Roseate spoonbills pick through the rookery branches alongside the ibis.
Spoonbills in the rookery. Roseate spoonbills pick through the rookery branches alongside the ibis. 1,754 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
Across the lake. Clouds pile up over the preserve lake.
Across the lake. Clouds pile up over the preserve lake. 1,613 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
The pecan grove. The pecan grove in winter — moss, grass, and long shadows.
The pecan grove. The pecan grove in winter — moss, grass, and long shadows. 1,380 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Mar 2013
Walking trails. A palmetto stands sentinel over the walking trail.
Walking trails. A palmetto stands sentinel over the walking trail. 1,294 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Lake sunset. A whole sky's worth of sunset, doubled in the lake.
Lake sunset. A whole sky's worth of sunset, doubled in the lake. 1,053 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
The rookery at sunset. Ibis come home to roost as the sky turns.
The rookery at sunset. Ibis come home to roost as the sky turns. 1,018 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
The grassy trail. A soft path through the preserve woods.
The grassy trail. A soft path through the preserve woods. 978 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
The estuary. Egrets roost in a dead pine over the estuary marsh.
The estuary. Egrets roost in a dead pine over the estuary marsh. 880 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Jul 2006
The boardwalk. The boardwalk slips under the live oaks.
The boardwalk. The boardwalk slips under the live oaks. 822 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
Preserve marsh. Marsh grass, open water, and an egret on the wing.
Preserve marsh. Marsh grass, open water, and an egret on the wing. 803 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
February sunrise. A February sunrise over the marsh, palms in silhouette.
February sunrise. A February sunrise over the marsh, palms in silhouette. 638 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Feb 2013
March sunset. March light on the creek.
March sunset. March light on the creek. 613 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Mar 2013
Sunrise over the marsh. First light sets the marsh grass glowing.
Sunrise over the marsh. First light sets the marsh grass glowing. 597 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Feb 2013
The creek. The creek narrows between the pines.
The creek. The creek narrows between the pines. 573 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
The gravel path. The hiking trail runs straight through palmettos and pines.
The gravel path. The hiking trail runs straight through palmettos and pines. 567 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
The rookery, close. Ibis crowd the branches — the archive calls this corner a heron sanctuary.
The rookery, close. Ibis crowd the branches — the archive calls this corner a heron sanctuary. 539 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
The shaded path. The paved trail bends through deep shade.
The shaded path. The paved trail bends through deep shade. 533 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
The marsh pond. Open water inside the marsh, woods all around.
The marsh pond. Open water inside the marsh, woods all around. 511 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Marsh and pines. Marsh grass in front, the pine wall behind.
Marsh and pines. Marsh grass in front, the pine wall behind. 500 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Heron on the oysters. A heron picks its way along an oyster bank.
Heron on the oysters. A heron picks its way along an oyster bank. 431 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Marsh fog. Fog sits on the marsh at first light.
Marsh fog. Fog sits on the marsh at first light. 406 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Feb 2013
Anhinga. An anhinga poses on a snag, beak up.
Anhinga. An anhinga poses on a snag, beak up. 391 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Boardwalk oaks. Live oaks lean over the boardwalk at the lake's edge.
Boardwalk oaks. Live oaks lean over the boardwalk at the lake's edge. 377 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
Moonrise. Dusk on the creek, the moon already up.
Moonrise. Dusk on the creek, the moon already up. 366 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Mar 2013
Heron on a log. A heron stands its watch on a floating log.
Heron on a log. A heron stands its watch on a floating log. 364 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Low-tide creek. The tidal creek threads through the mudflats.
Low-tide creek. The tidal creek threads through the mudflats. 342 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
Spoonbills and egrets. Two roseate spoonbills wade with the snowy egrets — the preserve's signature shot.
Spoonbills and egrets. Two roseate spoonbills wade with the snowy egrets — the preserve's signature shot. 340 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Path and marsh. The paved trail runs the edge of the marsh.
Path and marsh. The paved trail runs the edge of the marsh. 333 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
The lake boardwalk. The boardwalk hugs the shoreline under the oaks.
The lake boardwalk. The boardwalk hugs the shoreline under the oaks. 310 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
Dawn. Dawn turns the creek pink and silver.
Dawn. Dawn turns the creek pink and silver. 309 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Mar 2013
The marsh channel. A quiet channel cuts the marsh at the lake's edge.
The marsh channel. A quiet channel cuts the marsh at the lake's edge. 307 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
Sunrise, portrait. Another February sunrise — the marsh keeps a schedule.
Sunrise, portrait. Another February sunrise — the marsh keeps a schedule. 299 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Feb 2013
The live oak. One enormous live oak, bare for winter, owns this lawn.
The live oak. One enormous live oak, bare for winter, owns this lawn. 269 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Apr 2013
Moon over water. The moon breaks through cloud over the creek.
Moon over water. The moon breaks through cloud over the creek. 265 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Apr 2013
Ibis, close. White ibis at telephoto length, settling into the branches.
Ibis, close. White ibis at telephoto length, settling into the branches. 263 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
The preserve map. The trailhead map of the nature preserve — lake, island, and all.
The preserve map. The trailhead map of the nature preserve — lake, island, and all. 261 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
Sunset, with birds. Birds cross a burning sky over the lake.
Sunset, with birds. Birds cross a burning sky over the lake. 259 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
The inlet. Where the creek bends into the preserve lake.
The inlet. Where the creek bends into the preserve lake. 237 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
The bench. A green bench faces the marsh — sit a while.
The bench. A green bench faces the marsh — sit a while. 233 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
The rookery tree. One tree, every bird — herons, spoonbills, anhingas, night herons and ibis, per the archive's own caption.
The rookery tree. One tree, every bird — herons, spoonbills, anhingas, night herons and ibis, per the archive's own caption. 231 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
The sunlit trail. Sun blasts the dirt trail under a lone pine.
The sunlit trail. Sun blasts the dirt trail under a lone pine. 175 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
The golden trail. The woods trail in late, honey-colored light.
The golden trail. The woods trail in late, honey-colored light. 172 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
The white bridge. The preserve's white bridge crosses the marsh.
The white bridge. The preserve's white bridge crosses the marsh. 135 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Marsh sky. A lone bird rides the sky over the open marsh.
Marsh sky. A lone bird rides the sky over the open marsh. 132 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
The rookery, portrait. The whole rookery tree, top to waterline.
The rookery, portrait. The whole rookery tree, top to waterline. 126 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Aug 2025
The paved trail. The paved trail in dappled light.
The paved trail. The paved trail in dappled light. 115 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
Boardwalk and oak. A giant oak leans over the boardwalk's bend.
Boardwalk and oak. A giant oak leans over the boardwalk's bend. 84 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
The rookery, 2026. The colony in June 2026 — one spoonbill stands pink above the white ibis.
The rookery, 2026. The colony in June 2026 — one spoonbill stands pink above the white ibis. 80 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Jun 2026
The woods path. A narrow path through dark woods.
The woods path. A narrow path through dark woods. 57 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
Marsh views. The marsh in full green, the creek winding through.
Marsh views. The marsh in full green, the creek winding through. 42 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Sep 2025
The boardwalk curve. The boardwalk curves through golden marsh grass.
The boardwalk curve. The boardwalk curves through golden marsh grass. 39 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2025
Ibis and neighbors. The rookery shares its tree with the neighborhood — houses just behind the branches.
Ibis and neighbors. The rookery shares its tree with the neighborhood — houses just behind the branches. 29 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Jun 2026
October trail. A dirt trail through the fall woods.
October trail. A dirt trail through the fall woods. · Photo taken Oct 2025
September trail. The paved trail under tall pines.
September trail. The paved trail under tall pines. · Photo taken Sep 2025
The trail map sign. The preserve map post, QR code and all.
The trail map sign. The preserve map post, QR code and all. · Photo taken Oct 2025
See Moss Creek Nature Preserve on Google Maps

63 photos: 220,952 views on Google Maps — and counting.

Nearby Spots

Moss Creek Marina. The marina at dusk — docks, boats, and glassy water.
Moss Creek Marina
Moss Creek Marina, Bluffton · 1.4 mi
 Hole 15, par 3. A wide look at the par-3 15th green — bunker left, live oaks behind, marsh grass in front. It is the most-viewed golf photo in this archive.
Moss Creek Golf Club
Moss Creek Golf Club, Bluffton · 1.5 mi
 Saigon Café Vietnamese restaurant at dusk, gold sign lit and a neon OPEN sign in the window
Saigon Café near Tanger Outlets 1
US 278, by Tanger Outlets 1, Bluffton · 2.3 mi
 Chipotle Mexican Grill near Tanger Outlets 1 — red sign, green metal roof, sago palms at the door
Chipotle Mexican Grill at Tanger Outlets 1
US 278 at Tanger Outlets 1, Bluffton · 2.3 mi
 LongHorn Steakhouse near Tanger Outlets 1 — yellow ranch-style building with a steer skull over the entrance
LongHorn Steakhouse at Tanger Outlets 1
US 278 at Tanger Outlets 1, Bluffton · 2.3 mi
 Moe's Southwest Grill brick gable storefront with red logo, Bluffton SC
Moe's Southwest Grill
US 278 corridor, Bluffton · 2.3 mi
 Old Navy Outlet at Tanger Outlets 2 — big blue-glass wall with the white oval logo, palms in front
Old Navy Outlet at Tanger Outlets 2
Tanger Outlets 2, US 278, Bluffton · 2.3 mi
 Chick-fil-A red script sign on a brick gable with a car in the drive-thru lane, Bluffton SC
Chick-fil-A
US 278 corridor, Bluffton · 2.3 mi
 A green at Hilton Head National Golf Club in Bluffton — flagstick, pond, and pines
Hilton Head National Golf Club
Off US 278, Bluffton · Parks
 Rolling dunes and bunkers of the 18th fairway on Daufuskie Island, water beyond
Daufuskie Island
Between Hilton Head & Savannah · By boat only · Parks
 Camellias on the path. A loaded camellia bush leans over the garden path.
Manske Camellia Garden
Honey Horn, Hilton Head Island · Parks
 Inside the habitat. The screened garden path winds through nectar plants, butterflies on the wing around it.
Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Habitat
Honey Horn, Hilton Head Island · Parks
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