Inside: Where to see owls in the Carolinas, including special events, ranger-led walks, and sanctuaries.
From the high-canopy coves of the Western North Carolina mountains down through the Charlotte Piedmont and South Carolina’s ancient river swamps, the Carolinas are home to some of the richest nocturnal ecosystems in the Southeast. Whether you’re listening for the distinctive “who cooks for you” call of a Barred Owl along the floodplain, hiking on a ranger-led night owl-prowl walk, or visiting world-class raptor sanctuaries, here is where to see, learn about, and experience owls across WNC, the Charlotte region, and South Carolina.
Feature Owl Destinations
We visited the places below and have loved them! Each one is different and offers something special.
Center for Birds of Prey / Avian Conservation Center (Awendaw, SC): SC’s premier sanctuary features the dedicated “Countess Paolozzi Owl Wood” trail housing international owl species. Their signature Owls in Flight Demonstration runs every operating day (Thursday–Saturday) at 2:00 PM.
Find out about our visit to the Center for Birds of Prey, and get all the details to plan your own trip.
Upcoming fall 2026 special owl events include Owls By Moonlight and “The Mysterious Life of Owls.”
Carolina Raptor Center (Huntersville, NC – Greater Charlotte): Located inside Latta Nature Preserve, this flagship raptor center features a 3/4-mile Raptor Trail with resident Barred, Great Horned, Eastern Screech, Barn, and Snowy Owls.
We’ve been to the Carolina Raptor Center a few times. Check out all the things we loved and plan your visit in our review: Visit the Carolina Raptor Center
Bring the kids to their special Owl-O-Ween event this October.
WNC Nature Center (Asheville, NC): Set in 42 acres of mountain forest, this AZA-accredited refuge showcases native Southern Appalachian wildlife, including Barn Owls, Screech Owls, and Great Horned Owls in naturalistic enclosures with tactile learning stations.
We’ve visited the WNC Nature Center many times. Learn about our favorite things and plan your visit: WNC Nature Center
Congaree National Park (Hopkins, SC): Home to old-growth floodplain forest that provides prime habitat for Barred Owls, known for their distinct “who cooks for you” call heard throughout the swamp canopy. The Owl-Prowl programs here are so much fun.
Ranger-led Owl-Prowl hikes at Congaree are so fabulous. We got to go and we have the full story for you so you know what to expect, what to bring, and how to sign up! Owl-Prowls at Congaree National Park
The Greenville Zoo has two new owl residents! Visit the South American section of the zoo to visit these two barn owls (but they’ll soon be moving to the farm exhibit area).
Fall 2026 Owl Prowls in the Carolinas
Some of our favorite outdoor destinations offer amazing opportunities to learn about owls with a wide array of events. Hike with rangers at night to see and learn about owls, join them for a special Owl-o-ween with costumes, and see live demonstrations. Here’s what’s happening soon with the owls!
| Event | Date & Time | Location | Details |
| Owls – Masters of the Night | Sunday, Oct 11, 2026 (4:00 PM) | FENCE (Tryon, NC) | Live owl presentation with naturalist Carlton Burke (Carolina Mountain Naturalists). Free and open to the public. |
| Owl Prowl at FENCE | Friday, Oct 16, 2026 | FENCE (Tryon, NC) | Guided evening call-and-response walk for wild owls on the preserve grounds. |
| Owl-o-Ween | Saturday, Oct 17, 2026 (10:00 AM – 3:30 PM) | Carolina Raptor Center (Huntersville, NC) | Trick-or-treating along the Raptor Trail, costume contests, and raptor care stations. |
| Nature at Night Hike | Saturday, Oct 17, 2026 (7:30 PM – 9:30 PM) | Chimney Rock State Park (Chimney Rock, NC) | Nighttime gorge trail hike exploring nocturnal wildlife and listening for owls. |
| 50th Anniversary Owl Prowl | Saturday, Oct 17, 2026 (5:45 PM) | Congaree National Park (Hopkins, SC) | Ranger-led old-growth floodplain forest walk focused on Barred Owl calls. |
| Night Hike: Bats, Owls, and More! | Saturday, Oct 24, 2026 (6:30 PM – 8:30 PM) | Conestee Nature Preserve (Greenville, SC) | Family-friendly night walk across swamp boardwalks targeting nocturnal bird calls. |
| RCNP: Nocturnal Wildlife Hike | Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026 (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM) | Reedy Creek Nature Center (Charlotte, NC) | Guided 1-mile twilight hike through forest canopy habitat. |
| Owls by Moonlight (Nov) | Thursday, Nov 12, 2026 (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) | Center for Birds of Prey (Awendaw, SC) | Nighttime flight demonstrations and educator tours in Owl Wood. |
| CRC Homeschool Day | Wednesday, Nov 18, 2026 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) | Carolina Raptor Center (Huntersville, NC) | Dedicated homeschool programming with live bird demonstrations and trail activities. |
| Owls by Moonlight (Dec) | Thursday, Dec 10, 2026 (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) | Center for Birds of Prey (Awendaw, SC) | Exclusive late-season flight showcase of global owl species under the stars. |
Additional Owl Venues & Theme Destinations
Still want more owls?
- Foothills Equestrian Nature Center – FENCE (Tryon, NC): 384-acre preserve hosting regular wildlife presentations, birding walks, and public nature events.
- McDowell Nature Center & Preserve (Charlotte, NC): Educational biofact stations, owl pellet kits, and nature trails.
- Catawba Science Center (Hickory, NC): Tactile STEM displays, touch stations, and nocturnal ecosystem exhibits.
- Schiele Museum of Natural History (Gastonia, NC): Outdoor nature trails and interactive sound boards matching regional hoot calls.
- Hands On! Children’s Museum (Hendersonville, NC): Costume play and sensory exhibits on nocturnal creature adaptations (and lots more learning through play).
- Biltmore Estate Falconry Experience (Asheville, NC): Private raptor handling and hunting dynamic lessons.
- Sylvan Heights Bird Park (Scotland Neck, NC): Collection of exotic and native owl species in large walk-through aviaries.
