Hunting Island State Park

Gorgeous -- went for a walk at sunrise and stayed for couple of hours, splitting time between walking the beach and reading the educational materials at the lighthouse. They have a playground and pavillions for use and ample walking space, which were empty when I went.

This place was amazing. The beach was one of the best I've ever experienced and I'm from Florida. We saw dolphins swimming close to shore, crabs, dozens of sand-dollars, and shore birds. Back at camp, there were deer, raccoons and song birds. The staff were friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were clean. We will be going back.

Gorgeous State Park! We camped 24-26 August and there were no crowds. At times, we had the entire beach all to ourselves!! The campground sites weren’t really anything special and were mostly flooded when we came. Mosquitoes were horrible! Definitely bring bug spray! We were at site 130, which was at the end, so it was nice not having neighbors on each side. Site had water and power; no sewer hookup. It’s about a 5 minute walk to the beach from the campsite. You can ride your bike or golf cart. This place gets 5 stars for the beach alone. It is gorgeous!!! Probably the prettiest U.S. beach that I have been to. It’s so natural and not cluttered with hotels and people. I can’t speak for other times and if it is packed, but when we went it was absolutely perfect. Great place for collecting shells. There were shells all over the place. It has a nice camp store with the basic necessities and gifts. I can’t say anything about the bath house, since we didn’t use it. The laundry mat had 2 washers and 2 dryers. I think it was $1-$1.25 a load. The visitor center and nature center were ok. It still gets 5 stars because the beach is worth the visit!!

I had no idea a place like this existed. It is so serene, peaceful and beautiful, that is hard to describe. The camp ground is well maintained. They have 2 dump stations for rvs. The beaches make you fell like you are the last person on earth.

We had a great time! Got there early before the crowd. Lots of parking. The water was warm, they had showers, and foot washing stations to rinse off the sand. The lighthouse is under construction but that didn't change our fun!!

This place is amazing place to unwind. All natural beach with Palmetto trees growing on the beach. Every shell has live critters in them. Thousands of live sand dollars. Way less people. Also great shady places for the heat of the day. Also a lighthouse that was built in the 1800’s.

Best beach and one of the main reasons I moved to Beaufort SC!! Turtle patrol gets me on the beach once a week at sunrise. My phone storage album is filled with photos just like these. It is a magical place in the morning. There is a campground as well as a beach with a lifeguard. Picnic areas and dog friendly too.

I was introduced to this campground over 30 years ago. Loved it. Introduced it to my growing family and we all come back almost every year, now with grandchildren too. Absolutely recommend this. But invest in mosquitoe repellent.

10-12-24 We passed this park this Summer but it was extremely hot out so we bookmarked it for when it got cooler outside. So this Saturday was the day. When you get to the entrance we paid $5. each senior citizen rate. They do take credit cards. Not knowing what to expect inside it was like Hawaii meets Jurassic Park. Unbelievable greenery what a gorgeous park. Once we got to the water we parked and walked along the beach. I started collecting the shells until my pockets were full. Next time I will be better prepared and will bring a bucket. As the shells are very unique and I love to put them in my outside garden. Definitely too cold for us to go in. Definitely a place we will return to as it is just beautiful and calming. Once back to the car we drove again to the Gift Shop and Lighthouse. Unfortunately the lighthouse is closed for repairs. Next trip out here hopefully it will be open. Gift shop albeit small had the essentials you would want. Great sale prices on summer t shirts and tank tops. They carry a collection of Christmas ornaments.

We love this amazing park! Whenever we have visitors to Beaufort, we make sure to stop by here. We live on Lady's Island and it is about a 25 minute drive for us. During the summer if you do not get there early, you will definitely wait in a line. We splurge and buy the year round pass. We have been up the lighthouse and it is amazing. At the time of this writing it is closed. Hunting Island has an amazing amount of hiking trails, vast beach, campsites, nature center, etc. The park has bathrooms and showers to rinse off after the beach. Near the lighthouse, there is a small area to purchase a few small snacks. Definitely bring your own food and drinks because options are limited.

When I first visited this park, my chief criticism was that the roads were in bad shape. They must have been resurfaced in the intervening years, because I experienced no potholes during my return visit. The area offers a large swath of good quality beach with occasional remnants of various sea life, a lighthouse, some fantastic inland areas with the state's signature trees, and more. The boardwalk into the marsh remains a great place to watch a sunset, and I was disappointed that the platform at the end was taken up by a couple of groups of people fishing. I don't know whether it's legal or not, but it just seemed like such an imposition on any other person who wanted to come and watch, especially given the careless manner in which small children fling sharp hooks. A boardwalk near the nature center was less aesthetic but by no means uninteresting. It would really take a full day to roam the entire beach; I did not get quite as far as I wanted, but I still got plenty, and despite the fact that the park charge is per person, I'd say it's worth it.

Through the park is the only way to get to the lighthouse, as far as I can tell. Which is okay because $8 provides for all day access to the park with in and out privileges. I was here for five hours in the van, working today and keeping my phone elevated to ensure that the ONE bar of Google Fi stayed connected. It's a huge park with multiple parking areas. There is a restroom building and of course, the lighthouse. 132 feet tall, the conical tower is brick with a cast-iron shell. It is no longer used for navigation (hooray for GPS) but they do have a flashing LED for old time's sake. The lighthouse is sometimes available for entry but was closed when I was here. Bummer. [Review 19476 overall - 1048 in South Carolina - 446 of 2023.]

This beach was STUNNING!!! For starters you drive into the beach and pay for day access which was a bit pricey at $8.00 per person, $5.00 for seniors, and $4.00 for children which can add up quickly. They do have an annual pass if you are local or plan to visit regularly that is $99.00. Inside the gates lush greenery surrounds both sides of the road as you make your way towards the beach. The road wraps around for a few minutes before opening up to beach parking lots. The lots weren't overly full, (we went on a Friday afternoon) and we found parking easily. After walking along a very clean beach path we entered the beach which was stunning. Again not overcrowded which we loved. The sand was soft but very hot in July so we made our way to the water. The Ayer temperature was in the 90's which I loved, but my hubby didn't! He wished it had been a smidge cooler. We splashed around and okayed for a bit and then packed up and headed on our way. I will absolutely return and recommend this beach. It was very clean and well maintained. You can also camp here which is pretty cool! I loved seeing the ocean and trees while sitting on the sand with a book in my hands.

The campground was right next to the beach and everyone was nice. My family and I stayed two nights and we loved being able to walk to the beach and not drive.

Nice park. Great trees and hiking trails. Beautiful weather for winter 2025. Can walk or bike ride. Several trails for hiking and nature preserve

Loved the beach with dead trees. Great trails as well. We did the Lagoon and Maritime Forest loop.

My wife and I and some friends spent the week on ladies island. Hunting Island State Park was the closest beach. Well, the beach was fantastic lots of sun and sand and surf. We all enjoyed our time outside. However, when you went to use facilities was to be desired. The restrooms were very poorly maintained, and there was a large quantity of used toilet paper all over the place, both in the men's and women's restrooms. I imagine when you have a large influx of people from other countries that are not familiar with modern facilities, you may have issues. The park did not do a good job at all and keeping things cleaned up or posting instructions in the bathrooms on how to properly use them. My comments about the bathrooms may not be popular, but they're honest. It was disappointing because my family and I have made the Lowcountry a frequent destination for vacations. Hunting Island holds a place in our heart that is dear and it saddens me to see such a great place gone to hell in a handbasket

Hunting Island State Park is one of the most popular state parks for a reason. There is si much offered here that you could enjoy yourself for days! The lagoon and forested trails are scenic and vibrant. The beaches have clean sand and water. All ages will enjoy swimming and collecting sea shells. The lighthouse offers a playground and history. The marsh boardwalk is gorgeous at sunset. If you're into photography you'll have an extra great time. Entry is cheap but parking can be a bit scarce. Try visiting on an off day to really have the best time.

What a beautiful state park! As you drive through the newly paved and redone streets in the park, you feel like you're immersed in the woods. You can cycle back there or just walk or drive. It is gorgeous for the drive along! We were there when it was rainy and chilly during a tropical storm. The lighthouse is closed, but there was a volunteer there who gives a lot of information and was keeping the walkways clear. There are a lot of interesting facts about light keepers and their lives and families in the small rooms that still exist on the property. The beach is real pretty, and they have mobility pads laid to help get to the water if you have trouble walking on the sand. We just took the views in as the ocean was a bit angry with the storm that day. There were a lot of look out areas you could pull into, but really, just driving around was really pretty and peaceful. Just a beautiful and lush state park that is amazingly clean and gorgeous! Certainly will go back!

Beautiful- walked up to the top of the lighthouse, visited the boneyard and then the nature center. Nicely maintained and a lot to see.

If you enjoy nature and hiking, this park is a must visit. Yes, it is $8 admission per person, but it is a state park with a lot of area to maintain and it basically funds the rest of the SC state park system, so feel good investing your money in saving the environment! I would recommend starting at the nature center. Pay admission and ask for the map of a 2 mile nature walk loop. Towards the start of the nature walk, cross the bridge and enjoy the super cool dead tree island. Continue back on lagoon and palmetto pines trails. Next, I would drive to marsh boardwalk and take the walk to the end. The boardwalks are fun and the entire walk is pretty. Final stop, lighthouse and north beach! Lighthouse is ~130 ft tall, ~170 steps, and pretty cool if you want to invest the time and $2 per person to walk up. Everything but the lighthouse was dog friendly. We went on a Tuesday mid-day and the trails were largely empty, allowing us to immerse and enjoy nature. We did not go to the visitors center but it also looked very nice.

Nice park. My favorite part was checking out the lighthouse. I also spent some time walking the beach. It's worth checking out at least once. Take some time to explore the lighthouse and then enjoy the beach.

Tony and I visited the Visitors Center today at Hunting Island State Park. It cost $8 per person to enjoy.

The only negative is no sewer. Beautiful site (#13) with lots of room and privacy. It seems every site was directly on the lake, some with easier access to the water than others. We were here in mid Sept. so the entire camping area was fairly empty. And, this time, there was a shortage of camphosts. Our bathhouse was not cleaned until Sunday and we arrived on TH. Not totally disgusting but clearly needing attention. The best part was that many of the sites were 'paired' and shared a driveway. Plenty of space for 2 separate groups but wonderful sharing space for friends or family.

Don't go after it has been raining. The park ranger at the gate said that there was shallow puddles over certain parts of the road. It was an understatement! There were puddles but it was black water. You couldn't tell how deep the water was nor could you tell the road condition. Thankfully, they had stakes indicating where the edge of the road was. Made it over to the lighthouse. This was my first lighthouse experience.. $2, you can't beat that. About 170 steps to the top, nice view! A storm was coming so when we got down, we were headed out. The beach area was pretty shelly. My boys went looking for shark's teeth, but didn't find any. Maybe next time!

The beach is beautiful. I went on a Tuesday, and it was very nice and calm. I actually saw two dolphins! The only thing I didn't like was all the bugs. The flies were very aggressive and kept biting me. I definitely recommend bringing some bug spray!

This is our favorite state forest of all! I love the beach, campgrounds, lighthouse, and visitor center. The trails look very nice. The only reason we came here for a week is so I could watch the ocean from our truck. However that is only available from one parking lot and it is closed currently for a month for paving- this is just bad timing for me. I'm glad the park keeps up on maintenance. My only complaint is that a week pass was expensive. I am handicapped and cannot walk over 50 ft. I have to use an electric wheelchair- (which is not an option for the beach. Free beach wheelchairs were taken or not in working order). This usually allows for a discounted rate at most state and national parks- but not here. We were told at the gate that a person has to be completely disabled to get a reduced rate. I'm not sure what that meant and the nice young gate attendant was new and could not explain it. There are many parts of this amazing park that I cannot access- but still pay the full amount as the able bodied visitors. But I highly recommend it for people that enjoy camper or day trips to the beach.

This beach is so pretty and well maintained! The drive through the park is beautiful. It has so much foliage and lush greenery. It's very picturesque. There was absolutely no traffic on the way there on a weekend which was great. There are plenty of parking spaces and parking lots. The beach is long and wide. There were a lot of people there, but everyone was so spread out due to the size of the beach. The sand was white and beautiful. There was a lighthouse as well that you can go up in for a small fee. The downside is that you have to pay to get in, but you can get a parka pass which is totally worth it. Very happy with this find!

There are hundreds of little barrier islands along the southeastern coast of the United States and one of our most recent discoveries is Hunting Island. What makes Hunting Island an instant favorite is its unspoiled appearance. It is one of the few remaining undeveloped islands and consists of about 5,000 acres of land in its natural state. Hunting Island is a little over 4 miles long and about 2.5 miles wide at its widest point. A gorgeous beach spans the entire length of the eastern side of the island facing the Atlantic Ocean. The Southern portion of the beach features deadwood trees scattering throughout the landscape of the beach (at times right up to the ocean) while the northern beach is pristine, highlighted with a 136 foot tall historic lighthouse first lit in 1875! We did not visit the southern end, but be sure to check out the pics of other amazing yelpers like this one from Sara H: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hunting-island-state-park-st-helena-island-2?select=P8YyBGU-qaJ5q0vFwTTeCQ THE LIGHTHOUSE is well preserved and if you are planning to visit, its a good idea to reserve your tour of the lighthouse well in advance as they limit the number of visitors daily. Construction started on the lighthouse in 1859, but the Civil War in 1862 caused severe damage to the structure and delays. History says during the Civil War, the original Hunting Island lighthouse was blown up by retreating Confederate forces to slow the Union Army down. Work didn't continue until 1873 and it was finally completed in 1875. It was deactivated in 1933. *** MOVIE FACTS: Many of the Vietnam scenes from the movie Forrest Gump were filmed on Hunting Island and the neighboring Fripp Island as well as scenes from the movie G.I. Jane. *** The Island is also a State Park with features such as a 6.1-mile loop trail that passes through the maritime forest and lagoon portions of the island, which feature a scenic boardwalk. However, because of its State Park status, the cost to enter is currently (2021) $8 per person ($4/ child age 6-15) and a additional $2 to tour the lighthouse. There is ONE RENTABLE CABIN located near the lighthouse and picnic shelter for family reunions or other group outings. But don't dismay, on nearby Phillips Island there is a GORGEOUS cabin known as the TURNER HOUSE. There is also a fishing pier on the southern side of the island and 100 campsites with water and electrical hookups, shower and restroom facilities. Hours are 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily but extended to 9 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time. *** FINAL THOUGHTS We are HUGE fans of Hilton Head Island and nearby Savannah, GA. Hunting Island State Park is an EXCELLENT daytrip from either or awesome all by itself if you can score one of the nearby Airbnb's or the islands only cabin. The charming town of Beaufort, SC is just on the other side of the newly constructed Harbor River Bridge. Millions of people visit the beach each year, yet it didn't seem overly crowded during our visit in July. I found it to be a very enjoyable beach and gorgeous natural island. Just in case you don't believe ME... Hunting Island has been named one of the top 25 beaches in the U.S. by TripAdvisor and one of the "Best Beaches in the South" by Southern Living Magazine. ENJOY! 2021 / 99

This is one of my favorite parks/ beach in SC, the best views ever!! I had the opportunity to spend the day at St Phillips Island once owned by Ted Turner. The park just started this daytrip, lunch included exploration tour. They are only doing a few tours a mth, they sell out within minutes of the posting online. I arrived at 0900, the tour started at the park visitor center, they give a talk before we board the ferry boat for a 20 minute ride to the island. They send you all the info you need for the day, I will recommend taking bug spray and not wearing booty shorts, nor have your arms exposed. I witnessed a few people who obviously didn't get the memo that the park services sent to all attendees, the mosquitos were horrible you are going into a wilderness habitat. Lots of people were wishing they had worn some clothes...jus a tip from someone who was there, Lol! The park gives everyone a free face mask, you will need it. The boat ride was smooth, we got to see some dolphins in route to the island, which was very cool. Once we got there, the park rangers gave us more instructions, then we boarded a tram headed to the beach. The park rangers did a excellent job during the tour, we had plenty of time to explore on the beach. They gave us a tour of the island, plants, and the animals that we came across. I collected some really cool large sea shells. We had a really beautiful sunny day, which was a plus. We ate lunch at Ted Turners old house/ cottage, afterwards we did our own tour of the house. This was truly a amazing, educational and memorable day. I highly recommend this tour to all!

Love this place but hate the sparse parking. Go early and get a good spot. Great beaches to explore! Lots of intact shells and plenty of room to spread out. Dog friendly but they must be on leash. Bring a cooler and picnic lunch. This is a great place to relax and unwind, enjoy the surrounding nature. There is a lighthouse and nature center we plan to visit on a later trip. We spent all of our time on the beach this trip

This is such a magical place!!! As soon as you arrive in the parking lot among the towering palms and dunes of fine white sand, you feel as if you've entered a paradise. A short walk over the dunes and you are greeted with the ocean just a hundred yards away and a pristine beach in either direct as far as the eye can see. You can see the lighthouse in the not too far distance, and it's well worth walking to the top, as the views and history within the tower are amazing. It was hard to leave this place, as it was such a perfect day, but many seashells were picked, much water was submerged in, and the feet have never been happier than they were walking in that magical sand. There was even a perfectly sized and weighted piece of driftwood that proved to be perfect for some push press squats. Super nice people working here too. The sunset on the way out was spectacular.

Wow. As a visitor, we were blown away by the Hunting Island State Park. Erosion and hurricanes have pushed the shoreline back which is detrimental to the poor trees lining the beach. You park at the visitors center, take the path between two white buildings and walk a half a mile then over a bridge to find the beach. (The beach is not specifically marked.) I can't say this enough - TAKE BUG SPRAY. There are several walking paths but the bugs are so aggressive that we hightailed it out of there to get bug spray. I'm not a big fan of bug spray but you probably won't make it to the beach without it. Thank goodness bug spray is sold in the visitors center.

Had a wonderful day trip to the state park last weekend. My family of four enjoyed the park immensely. Had we planned ahead, we would've reserved a time to walk up the stairs in the lighthouse, but that will have to be done another time. The tide was low when we arrived, and there was plenty of beach to walk around. The drive in from the main road is a little rough if you have a lower car, so be aware of that, but if you're going camping, you shouldn't be driving there in a lowrider anyway. Can't wait to come back.

Love a beach that isn't lined with buildings. Best place to go for a peaceful sunrise.

What a wonderful state park. The beach is just beautiful. We felt like we were on a topical island. We loved the large white sand beach and no homes in site. We walked 2.5 miles one way than back. It was the day before the tropical storm Elsa but yet it was just so beautiful and worth visiting. We can't wait to return and spend the day on the beach with our family in August. Was a little surprised that is cost $8 a person and not $8 a car, but it was worth it for a day. A little pricey if you live there and would want to go regularly.

I grew up on this beach. Haven't been there in so long and I'm dying to go back. I have so many wonderful memories of this place in the 1970s. They had a small recreation building on the far left of the beach for the kids, and the rangers would teach us things like, putting crabs to sleep and about nature. They had an outdoor Sunday service that we would attend. It was not uncommon for us to go for almost a month some years. We went every summer. It was so wholesome. There were lifeguards on the beach then. my sisters and I would stay in our bathing suites and play all day. It was so safe. We would walk to the lighthouse at night on the beach, and sit on the steps and tell ghost stories. it was locked up every night. The lighthouse with its dented step, and crack at the bottom of the door. We evn road out a couple of hurricanes, and spent a lot of time in the bathhouses, waiting out the storms. We decided to try other places when I was about 14 and never went back. Sad. In fact when I watched Forrest Gump, I remember telling my family tht the jungle scenes reminded me of Hunting Island, and waited to see the credits, only to realize I was right. What a surprise. in fact I'm planning a trip back this summer. My parents are gone now, so it will be bittersweet without them. I'm no longer tht little girl full of dreams. I'm so much older now. I feel like I'm grasping any familiar thing tht reminds me of sweeter times. It's funny as you grow and explore, it takes you further and further from home. And then you reach a point in life, tht all you want is to get back to tht time in life tht meant the most, when the world was so big and your dreams were so innocent.

Pretty amazing park for hiking. Nice trail through the center of the park, through a maritime forest. One trail along the lagoon. At the southeast corner right at the nub of the park is the tree boneyard. At the northwest corner is the lighthouse which is open and you can climb the nearly 150 steps to the top for some really beautiful views of the coast. We spent the morning there hiking and left exhausted and amazed (nearly 20,000 steps before noon LOL)...beautiful park. Well worth the visit. You can easily spend two or three hours there even during the cooler seasons (we were there in March)...

Nice little place to stop by and see the lighthouse and walk in the beach. Some shade around the beach area also.

Loved loved the beach. It's just beautiful and so big. Will visit every time we visit. Driving in the park is like being on a deserted island. Hopefully tomorrow we will ride bikes on all the different trials in the park.

I would love to give a great review of this place, but we didn't go in due to the $8 per person admission fee. It was 5:00 and we just wanted to see the lighthouse. It's fine to charge an admission to help support the park, but $16 to look at a lighthouse is not a fair price.

This is a beautiful and serene park that is very quiet. There's trees, birds, plants, white sands and the ocean. I did not walk the trails, but I laid in the white sands and went in the ocean. The blue/green water is pretty clear and refreshing. I did not see dolphins or turtles, but this area is known for that.

Wandering around this park was so much fun with my family! We really enjoyed the landscape between the beach and forest you walk through. We spotted so much wildlife and searched for sea shells my kids had a blast we most definitely will be back!

My family and I enjoyed out visit to Hunting State Park today. The drive to the park was beautiful. We checked in to the park office first and then went to the lighthouse area. We had our dogs with us, and since dogs aren't allowed in the area near the lighthouse, we just walked on the beach nearby. The beach has seen major erosion from recent hurricanes, but it was still beautiful. After seeing the lighthouse, we drove to the parking area near the Marsh Boardwalk Trail. We hiked the Marsh Boardwalk Trail, the Marsh Boardwalk Crossover Trail, part of the Lagoon Access Recreation Trail, part of the Nature Center Scenic Trail, and part of the Maritime Forest Trail. I enjoyed the Lagoon Access Recreation and Maritime Forest trails the most due to their views, but all of these trails were well-maintained, wide, and easy to walk on. Many downed trees were still seen in the woods. The Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail was closed.

I knew Hunting Island State Park was about a 30 minute drive from our hotel, so we headed on over to the park this past weekend and this place is truly a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. This massive island and park is 5,000 acres and according to TripAdvisor, it has been ranked as one of the top beaches in the USA. When you drive into this state park, the scenery is breath taking, as you drive through the outsized maritime forest and into another world. [ Cost ] The entrance into this state park is $5 per adult, $3.25 for South Carolina seniors, $3 for kids 6-15 and children who are 5 and under are free. The Lighthouse - Cost is $2 per person, but children must be 44" to enter (3 feet and 8 inches), any shorter and they are not allowed. Toddlers and babies are not allowed either. This light house(175 steps) is one of the oldest light (1889) houses in South Carolina and is the oldest one that is open to the public, compared to the Harbour Town Lighthouse built in 1969, that one is still used till today. [ Park Hours ] 6AM to 6PM (daily, but 9PM during daylight saving time) [ Things to do ] While here, we explored the park visitor center, here they have history information about the lighthouse and the park for visitors to learn about. They also have a few alligators while walking up the wooden deck to the center. Afterwards, we visited the beach, here visitors can swim in the Atlantic Ocean, but have to be careful, there are warning flags posted about the wave current and there are no lifeguards present. This five mile long beach is a great place for children to collect seashells and the water is quite warm as well. We did not have enough time to see the whole park, as it is enormous in size. However this park is excellent for camping out in tents, family picnics, lodging in cabins (about $210 a night), fishing and walking through hiking trails. [ Dressing Tip ] Make sure when you come to this park you bring fresh water and have several different pairs of clothing with you. While walking from the Lighthouse through the maritime forest to our car parked about 10 minutes away, it felt as though I was walking in the Amazon rainforest with humidity reaching 90%, even though it was only about 78-80 degrees outside, I was soaked in sweat as if it had been 100 degrees outside and I am very physically fit. This park is a must stop for those visiting the area! [Review #187]

It has taken me several years to get to Hunting Island State Park Beach, partly due to its closure following the devastation of both Hurricane Matthew & Irma respectfully. The devastation is very evident here along with all the machinery on the beach where staff are trying to recover & repair what they can. So far they have done a tremendous job. The beach is just beautiful but evidence of those twisting winds are everywhere. The entrance fee is now $8:00 Park fees rose to $8:00 this year from $5:00. It is worth every penny & more. Be careful walking on this beach, it is full of stumps and some debris wedged into the sand, plus there are shells everywhere. I wore my Wellington's today and was very glad I did. It made navigation of the beach much easier & safer. It was a glorious day today and many people were out relaxing walking & taking in the glorious view. The lighthouse is only steps from the parking lot and well worth the visit. It was a twO hour drive from Mt. Pleasant and worth every minute. I cannot wait to return here & just hope that the erosion slows so that this beautiful spot is around for a long long time.

A glorious island. My husband and I were married here years ago back before the new dunes when you could relax on the beach under the palm trees. It was perfect for me because I have sun allergies and this beach always had shade. Regrettably that is no longer the case, but since the new built up dunes are there to fight the aggressive erosion and prevent the island from literally being washed away, I can't begrudge their presence. The island itself is a little slice of paradise with its beaches, marshes, lagoons, its medley of trees festooned with Spanish moss, and its varied wildlife. My favorite escape in the South.

We had a great afternoon in hunting island state park. You pay $5 upon entering per adult and then drive through the beautiful cabbage palmetto trees on a winding path. Stop at the visitors office for a clean bathroom or to get the history on the areas different islands and continuing erosion of the sand and beaches. Next, drive to parking lot c and visit the lighthouse. An extra $2 per person to climb the 160+ steps. Each flight allows you to stop for an interesting tidbit about the structure so that you aren't too winded when you arrive at the top. Beautiful views await. After descending from the top of the lighthouse, walk the beach and take in the views of the ocean. We had a great time.

Hunting Island State Park is a well managed and maintained state park that has much to offer including a great beach, a historic lighthouse, add on tours, and maritime forrest trails that are really cool. It is well worth the visit here as you can experience the nature and beauty of the coast that is well preserved and an unique experience.

This place is wild. The beach with the down trees is like nothing we've ever seen before. We were there on a very foggy day. Would recommend entering from the end with the nature center it you're just looking for trails. The main entrance connects to the beach. Definitely worth a stop when in Beaufort!

Most beautiful beach in SC. Staff is great. Wonderful turtle conservation program. Lots of wildlife. Must visit nature center.

This park was absolutely beautiful. I booked a last minute trip to Beaufort, SC & hit this lucky little gem that a local recommended to me while on my stay. This was the first place I visited once I got into town & it was amazing. The beaches are quiet, the trails are peaceful & the scenery is nothing short of beautiful. The price to get into the park is $5/adult which is totally worth it! I'm am planning on heading back this morning!

Love coming here every time I visit South Carolina - it's one of the coolest beaches anywhere. First, upon arriving to the island you drive through a forest that feels like Jurassic Park. Once you arrive to the parking lots, you are right next to a really cool old lighthouse, which you can ascend for a mere $3. The beach itself also is so cool - just sand, palm trees, and ocean. It's so pristine and beautiful. And in the summer, the water is so nice and warm. Picnic tables are available, bathrooms nearby, and it's usually not crowded. I will definitely be back.

This is a wonderful place/state park to go with your family or by yourself and chill, forget about all of your problems. Super nice beach (all natural, nothing commercial about it) nice trails for the family and a real LIGHTHOUSE! Plan to spend the day and bring walking shoes and a picnic. 5.00 for adults 3.00 for kids over 5 And 3.25 for SC Seniors Or a 75.00 pass for all 47 State Parks. It gets everybody in your vehicle in the park...so worth it.

Wow. I had booked a campsite close by that turned out to be someone's front yard and showed up here at 6 pm desperate for a spot. The two rangers on duty found me the last open spot and were more than accommodating. It's the most I've ever paid to camp anywhere, and it is super steep. But the amenities are top notch and clean and the campground was quiet. Great beach access, beautiful well maintained trails... I can't say enough amazing things. If you can afford it... GO!

Beautiful beach. Not to be missed ocean beach. No food , so be sure to bring your own food and drink when you pack those flip-flops and a towel.

Great State Park for beach, hiking , nature and so forth. We recommend to all our visitors.