My wife and I visited Hunting Island State Park on our February day in Beaufort, right after Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. We hiked most of the connected trail system through the maritime forest, along the lagoon and down to the beach, saw deer, and then had to hustle back to the car to get out before the 6 p.m. closing. This guide covers the trails, the lighthouse, the beach, camping, and how not to run out of daylight like we did.
Is Hunting Island State Park Worth Visiting?
Yes. Hunting Island is South Carolina’s most-visited state park, with about 1.2 million visitors a year, and it earns it. It’s a 5,000-acre barrier island with 5 miles of beach, a historic lighthouse you can climb, a saltwater lagoon, and about 8 miles of connected trails. The park is large and well laid out, with excellent roads, campsites, restrooms and trails. It’s great for hiking, swimming, beachcombing and fishing.
Quick Facts
- Location: 2555 Sea Island Parkway, Hunting Island, SC 29920, about 30 minutes east of Beaufort on U.S. 21
- Time Needed: Half a day for the trails and beach; a full day or a camping trip for everything
- Best For: Hikers, beachgoers, campers, families, anglers, lighthouse fans
- Don’t Miss: The Lagoon Trail and the dead trees along the lagoon
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall; winter weekdays for solitude
- Hours: 6 a.m.–6 p.m. daily, extended to 9 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time
- Admission: $8 adults, $5 SC seniors, $4 ages 6–15, 5 and under free; lighthouse climb $5 extra
- Official Website: https://southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island
Overview of Hunting Island State Park
Hunting Island is a barrier island east of Beaufort, developed as a state park by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The park includes the Hunting Island Lighthouse (rebuilt in 1875 and moved inland in 1889), a maritime forest of palmettos and pines, a saltwater lagoon created in 1968, salt marsh on the west side, and 5 miles of beach. The beach is constantly eroding, which is what creates the eerie “boneyard” of dead trees on the north end. Loggerhead sea turtles nest here in summer, and deer and alligators live on the island. The beach and jungle-like forest have even stood in for Vietnam in Forrest Gump.
Best Things to Do at Hunting Island State Park
- Hike the trail system: about 8 miles of connected trails through the forest, along the lagoon and out to the marsh.
- Climb the lighthouse: 167 steps to the top. It’s the only lighthouse in South Carolina that’s open to the public, and climbing costs $5 per person, first come, first served.
- Walk the beach: look for shells and shark teeth, and walk north toward Boneyard Beach.
- Watch the sunset from the Marsh Boardwalk, a National Recreation Trail on the island’s west side.
- Fish: from the pier at the south end, which needs no license, or in the lagoon or surf, which require a South Carolina saltwater license. The campground store sells bait and tackle.
- Visit the Nature Center to see live alligators and learn about the island.
- Take a boat tour to St. Phillips Island, the state-owned island next door, through Coastal Expeditions.
Best Hikes at Hunting Island State Park
All the trails connect through short pass trails, so it’s easy to extend or shorten your hike.
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lagoon Trail | 1.4 mi | Easy | Starts at “J” parking; runs along the lagoon with dead trees and driftwood. Our favorite |
| Maritime Forest Trail | 2.0 mi | Easy | Deep in the dense interior forest |
| Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail | 1.9 mi | Moderately strenuous | The park’s only moderately strenuous trail |
| Magnolia Forest Trail | 1.2 mi | Easy | Campground to the entrance gate, some hilly terrain |
| Nature Center Scenic Trail | 0.7 mi | Easy | Connects the Nature Center to the main trail network |
| Marsh Boardwalk | 0.25 mi | Easy | Boardwalk over the salt marsh; best for sunset |
| Palmetto Pass, Pine Pass and Marsh Boardwalk Crossover | 0.2–0.3 mi each | Easy | Short connectors for building loops |
Key Areas in Hunting Island State Park
- North end: The lighthouse, its gift shop, the campground and Boneyard Beach.
- Middle: The main beach access areas, plus the lagoon and the trailheads at “J” parking.
- South end: The Nature Center and the fishing pier.
- West side: The Marsh Boardwalk on the salt marsh, off U.S. 21.
Our Experience at Hunting Island State Park
After Reconstruction Era. My wife and I came here right after Reconstruction Era National Historical Park on our day trip to Beaufort. There was ample parking and not a lot of people in February. The park is large and well laid out, with excellent roads, campsites and restrooms, and there are a ton of bathrooms and garbage cans. The lighthouse was closed the day we visited, a Monday.
The trails. The trails are all connected, and we went on most of them. The hiking was cool because we passed through Lowcountry marsh, the lagoon, the beach and the woods all in one hike. We saw deer and squirrels, and very few people on the trail. There are plenty of ways to extend or shorten the hike.
The lagoon. We especially loved the section next to the lagoon. The part where the trees had died and turned to driftwood was especially neat.
The beach. There were lots of shells on the beach.
The race to the gate. We didn’t manage our time well on the hike. The park closes at 6, so we had to run back to the car to get out on time. Then we drove to Hilton Head Island to try Gullah food at A Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant for dinner.
Don’t Make Our Mistake
Watch the clock. Outside Daylight Saving Time, the park closes at 6 p.m. It’s easy to lose track of time on the connected trails, especially if you start late like we did. Also, the lighthouse has limited hours, so check before you go if climbing it is a priority.
What We Would Do Differently
We would come earlier so we could finish hiking the trail system. And we’d make our way down to Boneyard Beach, which is similar to Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island in Georgia.
How to Visit Hunting Island State Park in 4 Hours
- Start at the lighthouse, and climb it if it’s open (45 minutes).
- Walk the beach north toward Boneyard Beach (45 minutes).
- Drive to “J” parking and hike the Lagoon Trail, plus a loop on the Maritime Forest Trail (1.5 to 2 hours).
- End at the Marsh Boardwalk for sunset, if you’re there during Daylight Saving Time.
If You Only Do One Thing
Hike the Lagoon Trail. You get the lagoon, the driftwood and the beach in under 2 miles.
Full-Day Itinerary
Do what we did, but start earlier. Spend the morning at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort and on St. Helena Island, have lunch, then give Hunting Island the whole afternoon for the lighthouse, the trails and the beach. If you want more, camp overnight and catch the sunrise on the beach.
Where to Eat Near Hunting Island State Park
Snacks and drinks are available in the park. For a real meal, Beaufort has great food about 30 minutes away. We drove about an hour to Hilton Head Island to try Gullah food at a Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant, since it was the only Gullah restaurant we found open that day. St. Helena Island, on the way back toward Beaufort, also has Gullah cooking, but call ahead for hours.
Where to Stay Near Hunting Island State Park
Camp in the park. There are 102 standard campsites with 50-amp service, 25 rustic tent sites, and one cabin near the lighthouse. Reservations have a 2-night minimum, though walk-ups are allowed if sites are open. Otherwise, stay in Beaufort, about 30 minutes away, or at Fripp Island just across the inlet.
Tips for Visiting Hunting Island State Park
- The park closes at 6 (9 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time). It’s easy to lose track of time on the trails, so keep an eye on the clock if you get a late start like us.
- Snacks and drinks are available in the park.
- Check the alerts. The bridge to Boneyard Beach and parts of the Marsh Boardwalk have had temporary closures.
- Bring bug spray in warm months, especially on the forest trails.
- Get the Ultimate Outsider stamp at the Nature Center, the park store or the lighthouse gift shop.
When to Visit Hunting Island State Park
Hunting Island State Park is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, extended to 9 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time.
We recommend visiting in the spring or fall for comfortable hiking and beach weather. Winter is great for empty trails like we had. Summer is the peak beach season, with sea turtle nesting, but it’s hot, buggy and crowded.
Always check the park website or call 843-838-2011 for the most up-to-date information.
What to Bring to Hunting Island State Park
Hiking shoes and beach shoes, water, bug spray, sunscreen, a bag for shells, a fishing rod (and a SC saltwater license for the lagoon or surf), and a watch so you make the gate.
Fees & Reservations
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult admission | $8 |
| SC seniors | $5 |
| Ages 6–15 | $4 |
| 5 and under | Free |
| Lighthouse climb | $5 per person, first come, first served |
| Camping | Reserve online; 2-night minimum |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get into Hunting Island State Park?
$8 for adults, $5 for SC seniors, $4 for ages 6–15, and free for kids 5 and under. Climbing the lighthouse is $5 more.
Can you climb the Hunting Island Lighthouse?
Yes, when it’s open: 167 steps for $5. It was closed on our Monday visit, so check the hours first.
What is Boneyard Beach?
A stretch of the north beach where erosion has left dead, bleached trees standing in the sand, much like Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island.
Do you need a fishing license?
Not on the fishing pier. Everywhere else in the park, you need a South Carolina saltwater license.
What time does Hunting Island close?
6 p.m. most of the year, and 9 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time.
Conclusion
Hunting Island is South Carolina’s most popular state park for good reason: a climbable lighthouse, empty winter beaches, and a connected trail system that takes you through marsh, lagoon, beach and forest in one hike. Come early, keep an eye on the gate time, and save time for Boneyard Beach, which is what we’ll do next time.
Our February Lowcountry and Coastal Georgia Trip
My wife and I visited these parks on one February trip for a friend’s wedding in Savannah. Here’s every post from the trip:
- Charleston area, SC: Charles Pinckney National Historic Site: a free, one-hour founding father stop in Mount Pleasant; May Forest State Park: harbor views and dolphins on James Island (weekdays only)
- Savannah area, GA: Fort Pulaski National Monument: the brick fort rifled cannons broke in 1862; Old Fort Jackson: Georgia’s oldest standing brick fort, with live firings; Wormsloe State Historic Site: the 1.5-mile avenue of live oaks
- Beaufort area, SC: Reconstruction Era National Historical Park: where Reconstruction began; Hunting Island State Park (you’re here)
- Golden Isles, GA: Fort Frederica National Monument: the tabby ruins of Oglethorpe’s 1736 town; Jekyll Island State Park: Driftwood Beach and the Horton House
Other Sights Near Hunting Island State Park
- Reconstruction Era National Historical Park: The Penn Center and Brick Church are about 20 minutes back toward Beaufort.
- Beaufort: A historic waterfront town with great restaurants, about 30 minutes west.
- May Forest State Park: A small, free state park on Charleston Harbor, about 1 hour 45 minutes north.
- Wormsloe State Historic Site: Georgia’s famous oak avenue, about 1.5 hours south near Savannah.
- Fort Pulaski: A Civil War fort near Tybee Island, about 1.5 hours south.
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