Angel Oak Tree

The Angel Oak is one of those rare places that leaves an impression long after you’ve left, and somehow feels even more powerful when you return. I first visited the Angel Oak in 2019, and it was already breathtaking then. Standing beneath its massive, twisting branches felt surreal, like stepping into a living piece of history. No photos can truly capture the scale or presence of this tree. It’s something you have to experience in person, slowly, quietly, and with a sense of respect. Coming back again this year was an entirely different experience in the best way. Seeing the Angel Oak years later made me realize just how timeless it is. While so much changes in life between visits, the tree remains steady and grounding. It felt humbling to think about everything this oak has witnessed over centuries, long before we arrived and long after we’ll be gone. What I appreciate most is how thoughtfully the area is preserved. The walking paths and viewing areas allow you to admire the tree up close without disturbing it, and there’s an unspoken understanding among visitors that this is a place to slow down. It’s peaceful, reflective, and deeply calming. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip years later, the Angel Oak has a way of putting things into perspective. It reminds you of time, resilience, and the quiet beauty of nature. If you’re anywhere near Charleston, this is not just a stop to check off a list, it’s an experience you’ll carry with you.

Exceptional experience! The history behind the tree is impressive and history that happened around the area. You have to be incredibly respectful of the area to make sure no damage is done to the tree. Our family enjoyed it. The kid had a hard time staying away from touching it! Once in a lifetime visit.

The Angel Oak Tree is definitely worth the visit if you’re already heading out toward Johns Island, though it’s about a 40–45 minute drive from downtown Charleston and a bit out of the way. That said, it’s an incredibly cool and impressive sight — this massive Southern live oak is estimated to be around 400–500 years old, with huge sprawling limbs and a presence that photos don’t fully capture. It’s one of those places where you just stand there in awe for a few minutes. Best part: it’s completely free to visit. Just make sure to check the hours ahead of time because the gates do close right on schedule, and you don’t want to miss it after making the drive.

Simply Magical. The park was pretty much a dozen of trees and of course the main attraction, the Angel Oak. It only is breathtaking. Angel Oak was free to visit and free parking. There wasn’t a lot of parking, but we got lucky with parking on the road. It was very peaceful and not crowded when we were there. There are some portable toilets and a small gift shop. It’s definitely worth the trip.

The tree is really amazing. The parking, not so much. The street is narrow and people park on the side. I was surprised at how many people were there. We are traveling off season and most places we’ve been to have not been crowded. This place is popular, I can’t imagine what it takes to get there in the summer. We took our dogs but had to stay back behind a rope they had up. I get it, they are trying to keep this tree alive and healthy for as long as possible. We stopped in and looked around the gift shop. It was free and it was cool, you can’t do better than that!

Beautiful and grand Southern Live Oak that's estimated to be 400-500 years old. It stands almost 67 feet tall, 28 ft in at the trunk and produces a shade canopy that covers 17,200 square feet. It is protected and you can't walk too far under it towards the trunk to preserve it's massive root system, but you definitely do not have to get too close to take in it's magnifisant size and beauty, and get some great photos, too! It has a gift shop and street parking with only limited parking inside the gates provided to disabled drivers.

Incredible to see such a massive, historic tree in person! We stopped for about 15 minutes on our drive from Hilton Head to Charleston, which was the perfect amount of time to take it all in. There’s a small gift shop and restrooms on-site, along with plenty of parking. Other than the tree itself, there aren’t additional attractions, but the visit is well worth it.

These pictures and almost every other picture I have ever seen of this Oak tree doesn't do it justice. It is so much more beautiful and larger than I thought it was. I am so glad I was able to visit.

The Angel Oak Tree is absolutely breathtaking! Its sheer size and beauty are truly something to behold. The fact that this magnificent tree has stood for centuries and witnessed so much history is mind-blowing. What makes it even more special for me is that it's only a five-minute drive from my house, so I get to visit often--and it's always worth the trip. The peaceful atmosphere under the sprawling branches is like stepping into another world. Whether you're a local or just visiting, the Angel Oak Tree is a must-see. It's a perfect reminder of nature's resilience and beauty.

It's hard to put into words how large and unique this tree is. The minute you walk up to it, you're amazed by its girth and spread. Once you take it all in, there's also a spiritual presence that encompasses you. The trees rich history and sacrid stories are also very interesting. I take everyone that visits me from out of town to see the Angel Oak. And so far, they have all been in awe. Lastly, there's also a surprisingly good gift shop.

The Angel Oak Tree is an exceptionally large Southern live oak located in Angel Oak Park in Johns Island, South Carolina. The tree measures an impressive 28 feet in circumference, a testament to its age and the centuries of growth it has experienced. Its branches stretch outwards to cover an area of approximately 17,200 square feet, providing a vast canopy of shade that has sheltered countless visitors over the years. Perhaps the most awe-inspiring feature of this tree is the span of its longest branch, which reaches a staggering 187 feet from tip to tip. Once believed to be 1,500 years old, experts now estimate that it is probably closer to 400-500 years old (which is still very impressive). Some have claimed that the tree is the oldest living organism east of the Mississippi River. However, there are bald cypress trees located throughout Georgia and North Carolina which have been proven to be significantly older. One in North Carolina is over 1,600 years old. As long as the Angel Oak continues to remain healthy, it is believed to have a lifespan of 900 years. My family and I visited the Angel Oak this past summer while we were visiting family in the area. Although we had already visited it on a previous trip, it is just so impressive that we needed to see it again. The tree is equally beautiful and eerie. The gnarled limbs and branches almost give the tree the appearance of a gigantic tentacled organism that one would expect to see in the TV series "Stranger Things". The City of Charleston and local conservationists have worked tirelessly to protect the tree and its surrounding environment. Hopefully this remarkable tree will continue to thrive for several more centuries so countless others can see it. We highly recommend anyone visiting the Greater Charleston area to visit the Angel Oak!

Every time I come to low country I have to stop by and pay respects to one of the most majestic trees Ive ever seen. You can feel its presence as you approach and there is a peaceful presence you cannot dismiss. It's almost as if people get quiet and reverent in its presence. Support if you are able (there is a giftshop) or just come and enjoy!!

Visiting the Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island, SC, was truly a remarkable experience. The tree is absolutely breathtaking--standing at over 65 feet tall and estimated to be around 400-500 years old, it's a living testament to nature's beauty and resilience. The surrounding park is well-maintained, and there's a peaceful atmosphere that makes it a perfect spot for a quiet stroll or a moment of reflection. The interpretive signs around the tree provide fascinating historical context, making the visit both educational and awe-inspiring. While the area can get a bit crowded at times, it's definitely worth the stop for anyone in the area. Highly recommend!

Coolest tree you will ever see. Take the trip out to see it. Let's the kids nap a while it will take 30 minutes to get there but hey you are close to Folly Beach for an afterglow. However skip the entrance behind the church turn left and go to the other entrance. Your car and neck will thank you later. There's a pothole war taking place behind the church and I think the holes are winning.

I love bringing people here. They are never impressed until they get there. Then they are so glad we went. Do not plan to stay here all day but it is worth the 30 min drive to spend 30 min there.

Please do not miss this massive treat when visiting Charleston SC or neighboring areas. This tree is over 400 yrs old. Can you imagine? It will be difficult to capture this tree in one shot unless it's a drone. There's a baby Angel tree growing. There's a tiny gift shop

Relatively easy to find and free to access. Parking can be crowded during certain times. The tree is nearly 400+ years old and is quite impressive. There's certain rules to follow such as not sitting on the tree or hanging from it or doing any yoga'ing. There's some picnic tables inside the fence too. Gift shop closes before the park does. 2024 #8

Had to leave a review for my beautiful mama miss her so much and my uncle her brother took us to see the Angel Oak tree she loved so much when she came to visit South Kakalakie lol idk how y'all spell it but man you get this overwhelming feeling being amongst one of God's old and one of his most beautiful creations I loved the tree so much and wish I could of had my alone time with her jus feel so emotional without my mom and wanted to talk to her in that moment but was with a group. I felt close to her. Jus wanted to cry but I'd look all crazy and emotional lol. I am highly emotional but not crazy haha. Jus when you get older and watch your loved ones get there too it's an extremely emotional feeling. My uncle is a cancer survivor and has had to use a cane since that surgery around 30 years ago. My aunt and uncle like to stop by here on there way to Charleston and I think it was Foley Beach we went to after this! I love how the tree is taken care of and loved so much, how the branches are within the ground, rise from the ground, how it makes you feel so small, reiterating historical greatness! Wish I lived closer to the Angel Oak, make some wishes for me lol

Really beautiful tree in SC--a must see. You feel like a kid again navigating around the ginormous tree trunks. Admission is free but be sure to get there in a timely manner because they close 10 minutes before 5pm. We saw them turn away guests at this time. They are strict about this closing time. Property is pretty small as it's literally just a tree fenced in, however there is a gift shop on property. It was pretty expensive even for a gift shop. $15 for a postcard... Anyway visit this tree and feel peace from its roots. :)

This was so cool! The parking situation is a little annoying but not much they could do to fix that. Beautiful tree and free attraction! Lots of people but worth the visit !

A must see if you are in the area. We were exploring the Charleston Tea Garden/Farm up the road and the tour guide told us we had to check out Angel Oak- so we made sure to follow the signs down a dirt road and found all the cars parked along. You enter in a gate (there is handicap accessible parking which we didn't see because of a tour bus blocking the sign) and walk around the gift shop to enter in the "proper" way to see the tree. This is a little counter-intuitive since you are walking past the tree before going around the building. I will say it is very clearly labeled everywhere how to proceed. Once you are finished walking around the tree and taking as many pictures as your heart desires, you can go inside the gift shop and then exit. The shop is an active fundraiser for the property- because everything was a touch expensive and some things were woof expensive. The tree is a very easy 5 stars. The signage was obnoxious. But, I didn't get yelled at- so I guess that means the obnoxious signage worked!

It was nice to see 300-400yrs old tree still standing strong. I wish I could see more trees like this one around. I hope it will grow strong.

Anticlimactic. It's okay nothing's special. The fun part is watching people hug and kiss the tree.

Angel Oak is considered to be the largest Live Oak Tree east of the Mississippi estimated to be 300-400 years old. The tree is 65 feet tall with a circumference of 25.5 feet, shading a 17,000 square foot area. It's off the beaten path a bit, in John's Island, and in my opinion, worth a visit once. It's free to visit and donations are accepted. Fortunately, I visited Angel Oak before the gift shop, porta-potty, vast array of "Do Not [insert thing]" signs, security guard/s, and fencing. There wasn't even a parking lot, just a massive tree! We stopped on our way to dinner at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort and were happy we did! You can see and experience the entire tree in a matter of minutes.

The tree itself is breathtaking but the amount of rules and signs are actually insane. Despite a rule literally saying no tripods, every sign around the tree stands on a tripod (IRONIC!) there are so many signs that conflict with each other that you can barely tell where the entrance is. ( it has a chain across the entrance so it's still very confusing) god forbid you walk through the front of the gift shop and not the shitty back entrance that had shit piled everywhere. The signs were passive aggressive. And to top it all off as I was leaving, an old man with a pretty bad limp tried to park in the handicap spot , said he was handicapped and needed to park there but didn't currently have his handicap placard and this lady came out and screamed at him until he drove all the way out to the street and made him park there and then watched him limp the half mile walk to see the tree. Just the utter rudeness and disrespect left me speechless. The gift shop should be closed down and the state should take over the park.

This is one of the free things you can see. It's best to view it from different sides. Unfortunately, since there are so many people that come here, it can be difficult to get a picture without other people photobombing. You may get lucky and come at a time or day where there is hardly anyone there. The tree is estimated to be about 400 years old. There's also a small gift shop.

When they refer to the Angel Oak as a true low country treasure, they aren't lying. It's simply majestic! 300 to 400 years old, 65 feet high with a circumference of 25.5 feet, shading an area of 17,000 square feet. When visiting Charleston county, it's an absolute must. Dogs are also allowed in designated areas. Gorgeous!

Angel Oak is a fun and local gem to the Charleston area! There is a small parking area off to one side and then once you walk in there are several picnic tables and a little gift shop in the area next to the Angel Oak. We opted to pack and bring our lunch and it was the perfect little spot for our family. While you aren't supposed to walk on or get too close to the tree, you can get close enough to get great photos and easily walk around the root systems and low-hanging limbs. Definitely worth the 20-30 minute stop if you're in the area!

This is a free natural attraction that's worth every moment of your visit. The tree is considered the largest east of the Mississippi. It's a beautiful tree. You can park along the dirt road and enter for free. There's a small gift shop on the grounds, and the parking next to it is all handicapped accessible. Tripods are allowed as long as you're behind the yellow chain area - near the picnic tables and benches. You can walk everywhere around the tree but you can't step or climb on the tree.

A must see tree! Ya gotta see this thing. Off the beaten track but worth the ride. No single picture can do it justice.

Don't miss seeing the Angel Oak! It is the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi! Took a friend visiting from Florida. It's impressive!

It's big, it's beautiful and it's old. It's amazing! GPS will send you down a dirt road that looks like a one way drive way but do as the GPS is telling you. At a certain point you will drive past the Angle Oak and see all the cars parked. Find a spot where you can. If you have mobility issues, this may cause an issue. Be careful and plan accordingly. For those with youngsters, they cannot touch the tree. Have that talk with them ahead of time. Want the perfect picture? Use an editing tool because odds are there will be people in the background. Heads up- small gift shop and porta-potties. I am glad we went and looked at this old tree, sounds silly right? But it was something to see. I was doing a first watch of Forest Gump with my daughter a few nights ago and she said the trees in the movie remind her of the Angel Oak. As a parent these are the moments we cherish thinking it left an impression or we made a memory. Thanks Angel Oak.

What a natural wonder . You do not want to miss seeing this beautiful tree. 400 years old and can live up to 900 years old . Its limbs are hollow but its bark preserve it. Open M- S 9/5 S- 1/5 Gift shop open daily . It's found on Angel Oak Rd .

Angel tree is really nice old Oak tree. This is another place that I won't go back to. As a photographer who wanted a really good photo you need a tripod. I wasn't even that close but the security guard was your to close. They only have two sets chains one is the same distance I was at but there is not chain there. The other chain is a joke as it another 20 ft back and has three other trees in front of you blocking the view of the Angel Oak tree. The joke is people with dogs should be back and on the other side, some were and some were not and guard could get them back. To bad as it is tough tree to get a good photo of and lots stupid signs and chains to photoshop out and all the people. Lighting is also tough as some trees block some light so lots of after work.

Beautiful. We really enjoyed our time looking at this magnificent oak and being in its presence! Just go and be respectful of the grounds, the tree and other people there...yes, there's a bunch of signs, it's not the most friendly place, the parking isn't great, the road is not paved, blah blah. You aren't going for all of that. You are going to see a 400-600 year old oak tree....don't be a jerk and let your kids be jerks, or you be a jerk. Be a decent human and just look at it and go on with your day.

What a beautiful tree! It's so amazing and definitely worth going to see! It's just so cool and big! You must see it to believe the massive size. Pictures do not do it justice.

We came here because it's an iconic and beautiful part of the Lowcountry. It's beautiful and you can feel the energy when you step into it's presence. This tree will leave you in awe. Over 400 years old and if cared for will probably go for another 400. Not necessarily an ideal stop for those with toddlers because it is hard for even adults to resist the urge to climb it. You aren't allowed to climb any of the branches anymore because they are protected and they want to prevent any damage to this beautiful specimen. They also have a cute gift shop to bring a souvenir home. It's great and all should experience this gorgeous piece of history.

It's a truly gorgeous tree and I have a passion for photography so I was excited to take pictures of it and it's got a big freaking fence around it. And the hours say mon-Fri 9am-5pm no gates were open no on there it never said it was closed online or anything. We drove 5 and a half hours for this. And there was no sign outside the fence saying they were closed. These are the only pictures I could get without getting the fence in the picture Thank God it's not an electric fence I had to have my phone all the way pressed against the fence. Definitely a waste of time they need to post when they are going to be close I was so excited to see it up close and we couldn't even get close at all.

Amazing heavenly place ! It's amazing how a tree can mean so much to so many people ! Hundreds of people visit every day! It's a national treasure to our country! It gives us hope that the world is not as bad as people think! Parking is a challenge! I would one to go to the bathroom before you get there! Great for an hour visit! examen des cols bleus:x

Very easy to drive to and park. We can on a Friday morning in early December so there were not many visitors. It's quite an amazing thing to see. The sign says it is approximately 400 years old and has a life expectancy of 900 years. So lad that it is protected somewhat. This is a free thing to do as well!

Beautiful live oak. The trunk is massive and limbs seemingly go on forever. The tree is absolutely amazing!!! The tree is the star of the show. There is no charge. Parking is on the side of the dirt road leading up to and just beyond Angel Oak. There is a handicapped parking area closer to the tree and a few picnic tables. There is a small gift shop as one exits. Not great.

Neat tree, it has been on my list to see for years. I am so glad to have seen it. It is a huge and amazing tree, definitely worth seeing. My advice is to go upon opening due to it being heavily visited. Free entry. Handicap parking available. Pet friendly but at a distance. Worth checking out and seeing!

Just a beautiful and spiritual experience.I've been here other times and It's always been a fantastic experience. The tree has so much history. I met the painter that has all his paintings in the gift shop. He was painting in the park. There is always a lot of people as I visited on a Sunday.

Beautiful landmark! One of the oldest oaks east of the Mississippi! Was easy to find! The tree is gorgeous!

How could you rate this less than 5 stars? It's a majestic oak tree! The largest of its kind in the area. We had visited the McLeod plantation earlier and our tour guide mentioned Angel Oak. Truly a majestic force of nature and one that should be witnessed in person to experience its beauty. Lots of folks admiring it during our visit. There is a small parking lot for people with an ADA tag, otherwise street parking is available. A wonderful spot to visit while in the area!

My son-in-law suggested we visit the Angel Tree in Charleston. As a bonafide tree hugger, I was all in. The tree, a Southern Oak (Quercus Virginiana), is between 400 and 500 years old. This type of oak, indigenous to the South, is an evergreen oak. This particular tree is immense with a circumference of 28 feet around the base. The limbs are so heavy that need to be supported. A visit to the tree is a calming, awesome experience. The tree is located in a small secluded park on St. John's Island. There is limited free parking and no charge to visit the tree. There is also a small gift shop near the tree. A woman was making baskets in the shop during our visit. The tree gets its name from lore that believe ghosts (angels) of enslaved people inhabit the tree. Dogs are not allowed in the park, nor is climbing or leaning on the fragile giant tree. Put this on you must visit list when in Charleston.

This sight was strongly recommended, and clearly the secret is out. The tree lies on a dirt road behind a church which is narrow, uneven, and lacks obvious parking. Cars were lined up along the road. I wished I'd parked at the church or somewhere else and walked in. Upon arriving, it is a most impressive tree. A variety of signage exists directing people not to mess with it, which is good, but clearly this thing is pretty tough. It's an interesting photo op but there's not a whole lot to it. There is a gift shop and restrooms. I liked seeing it, but if things get too crowded I wouldn't feel bad giving it a pass and trying again some other time.

This is great experiencing something 1400 years old. You cannot sit or tuxh the tree or grounds. But it makes a great picture for you and friends. The park rangers will holler for any infraction.. There is limited parking and times to visit. It is a serious side trip but I enjoyed it.

I was so excited to see the tree BUT when I checked the website it didnt say it was fenced and closed during certain hrs- Thank god our uber didnt just drop off and leave- we wouldve had to wait a while Please make sure u check times, and let ur uber driver know not to leave We got to see it thru a fence and it looked beautiful but def wouldve wanted to be up close

This is my second time visiting Angel Oak and the view is well worth seeing when in Charleston! At the park, there are picnic benches and porta-potties, which makes it a lovely spot to stay and bring a quick lunch / picnic. If not, do not expect to be here for a long time, as it is simply one tree. Additionally, the park is free and beautiful, but does have a donation box. It is also only open at certain times, so it is worth it to check the hours before visiting. The only downside is parking can be a little tricky and it is down a dirt road, but the views make it worthwhile. Overall, I highly recommend seeing Angel Oak when in Charleston.

I have visited Angel Oak twice now and it has not failed to disappoint. The beauty and age of this tree is truly stunning and magnificent. Free to enter and there are picnic tables on the outskirts of the tree. Please be respectful of the tree! Local artists are there painting the tree, feel free to ask them questions! One of them recommended Sono Market place for lunch nearby which did not disappoint.

Second visit to this beautiful old tree calls during a review, right? Goodness, what a treasure the ole' Angel Oak is for the Charleston area. There's something special about a big old tree serving as its own attraction. A few numbers to blow your mind: -estimated to be 400-500 years old -the longest branch measures in at 187 feet -free to visit but donations for the upkeep are gladly accepted -the tree itself takes up more than 17,000 square feet! This old live oak is beautiful, ya'll. Well worth the quick pit stop and located near Johns Island. It's a free must-see, as they say! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

Yeah. I'm reviewing a tree that has hours -- it is fenced off with barb wires in case you're wondering. But this tree is seriously cool! From some reason, I'm thinking about a Pocahontas tree but with way cooler, twisty and bendy branches. I honestly didn't care to look at pictures before going and just went with the flow as the hubs said this was a famous tree that has become a tourist spot. It isn't the oldest tree alive, but it sure is the most unique and interesting looking. There's just something awing about seeing a natural wonder develop from something ordinary as a tree. There is a small gift shop and porta potties in the area. Parking is wherever you can squeeze your car into around the perimeter of the fence. This is a little gravel road so driving a small sedan will allow you to feel each bump and groove. Go early as there are a lot of people roaming about trying to get a good picture in.

AWESOME! A beautiful representation of nature.... Massive and beyond expectations! glad we came to see!

I feel kind of funny reviewing a tree, lol, but this is no ordinary tree. Located in John's Island (not Charleston as many people think), this tree is estimated to be 400-500 years old, although some estimate it to be 1,500! It is considered to be the largest Live Oak Tree east of the Mississippi. It's 28 ft tall, from tip to tip its longest branch distance is 187 ft! We came by to see it on a Wednesday, and of course they are closed on Wednesdays. But we were out in that area and decided to stop by anyway. I'm glad we did. It is quite a sight to see. I was also glad to see it was fenced in, so people don't mess with it when it is not open. Even though you don't have to pay to see it, I assume during regular hours (9-5) there is someone there to make sure people don't act like idiots towards this beautiful tree. :) I'm sure lots of professional photos are taken here, and it is the perfect spot for it. The next time I'm in town I'd love to check it out without the fence. :)

Beautiful tree! Let me start from the beginning of our experience. The directions from Apple Maps take you directly to the tree. If you do not possess a handicap sticker, you do have to park outside along the dirt road. The dirt road has not been graded recently, so it is quite bumpy. Once you walk through the gate there is an option to make a donation. Keep walking a little further and you will see the Porta potty's and the gift shop and the tree. There are signs everywhere saying you cannot sit on the tree. People still did and they did get fussed at. It was quite busy when we went around 3:30 PM so it was hard to get a picture without anyone in it. Still a beautiful site and worth stopping! The area is shaded and has several picnic tables. You can also bring a dog but they need to stay in a certain designated dog area that isn't super close to the tree. Next time we are traveling through Charleston and we thought about bringing a picnic :-)

Gorgeous!!! This tree is absolutely unreal. You cannot truly grasp the size of it in photos. If in the area you should definitely go check it out! I love that they have picnic tables around - and enjoy packing a lunch to sit for a picnic