Morris Island Lighthouse

I wanted to see the lighthouse at sunrise, because of traffic missed it by a few minutes but still a beautiful location, especially at a low tide because of dead trees and driftwood. From parking to the light house it's probably a 10-15 minute walk with the last 5 minutes on soft sand which may make it hard for some people. Well worth the walk and time spent.

Morris Island Lighthouse is absolutely beautiful. The graffiti walkway is interesting. The beach is unique with rocks and driftwood/trees. It was very peaceful. Parking isn't easy as there is no designated parking lot. You have to park along the road. It was pretty busy when I was there.

Gorgeous place!!! Loved that it was a sorry walk to the light house and was pleasantly surprised at the beach area!!! It's a beauty!!!

Absolutely stunning views. Beautiful light house. Mild waves. Sea shells and drift wood. Incredible walk with my girlfriend.

I thought I could walk to the lighthouse- it's out in the water- the walk was wonderful and the view of the lighthouse was great as sat on the driftwood and listened to the laps of the water hitting the sand !!

Download the app to pay your admission fee; it’s a great rate ($1/person per day) (see images in this review for those details). Some free parking out front is available; but extremely limited. There is a paid parking lot nearby that was about $10.50 for the day (ending ~10p) with cheaper options for select hourly ranges (text DRY to 87517 for the link for the Summer Place parking lot). It’s a bit of a walk, but not terrible by any means; I can see it being exhausting on a scorching hot day with the sea-salted humidity though. The whole pathway is asphalt with graffiti all over, which keeps the walk interesting. No motorized vehicles allowed; but cyclists went up and down easily as its flat-land. Only hill is at the end of cross the dunes (sandy hill, no wooden bridge). We’ve been plenty of times and it’s enjoyable each time.

Drove as close to the lighthouse as possible only to be met with a gate/sign saying "no dogs allowed beyond this point" because of having to take a walking path through a bird sanctuary. So....out to the beach we went, walking as far as we wanted (as close to the light house as we wanted) in the sand...it was a better/prettier walk anyway. All in all...it was a lighthouse...🥴??

We had a blast walking the beach. As long as the tide is low enough there is lots of walking area. Sand was quite hot that day so bring flippies. No swimming once you hit the lighthouse area but there is a nice garden of driftwood and a boat graveyard of sorts. I was disappointed no dolphins the day we went but after walking a couple miles to get there we were too beat to wall the extra mile or so to the other side of the cove.

The lighthouse is not accessible from land and you can't even get there directly from Morris Island! That said, if you're willing to drive a half hour or so from Charleston across James Island and across the Folly Island causeway and then a couple of miles parallel to Folly Beach to get to the gate at the entrance to the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve https://www.yelp.com/biz/lighthouse-inlet-heritage-preserve-folly-beach?hrid=fwYKXGE-nutYG9bRU9dKgw and then walk a half mile or so down a graffiti road and then a few hundred yards of sand, you can get to a point where you can actually SEE the lighthouse. Was all of that journey worth it? Unquestionably so. A great addition to my Lighthouses collection https://www.yelp.com/collection/GLWJhPZloUBCLUFSYgLw4g. Standing at the entrance to Charleston harbor since 1767 and updated many times since then, the lighthouse has suffered from the erosion caused by rerouting the Ashley, Cooper and Wando Rivers. It used to be *on* the island and now it *is* the island. It's also been damaged by storms including Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. The lighthouse is closed to the public and as far as I know, the small amount of space at the base is also off limits. But you can sure appreciate it from the tip of Folly Beach or perhaps you're on a boat. Definitely check it out. [Review 19513 overall - 1084 in South Carolina - 483 of 2023.]

Thoughts: If you're near Folly Beach and want a completely unique experience, seek out the graffiti-laden path that leads to the far end of the beach where you can view the lighthouse from shore. One of the cooler walks I've taken in a long time. The beach once you get to it is incredible as well -- feels super remote, private, and wild.

I never miss a chance to visit a lighthouse and Morris Island Lighthouse is a must see on a visit to Folly Beach. What makes this lighthouse so unique is that it stands on an island that is submerged under water. The lighthouse, which closed in 1962, is in a state of disrepair, but still stands a proud beauty. Morris Island is north of Folly Beach. To view the lighthouse, drive north to the end of the island. There is limited street parking at the entrance to the beach. You must park completely off the pavement to avoid a ticket. There is no charge to park or enter the beach park. We followed a graffiti filled quarter mile paved trail to see the lighthouse. There is a short climb to the beach where exquisite views of the lighthouse await. On our December visit, we were the only visitors to the picturesque beach.

Beautiful place to play tourist and get some great pics. Interesting walk down to the beach as the paved road is adorned with graffiti.

Underwhelming. Very long walk in direct sun ( literally no shady areas ). Part of the walkway is on sand that is not packed down enough to walk on. Once past there, the lighthouse is just not impressive. Not worth the effort in my opinion.

While you can't actually "visit" the Morris Island Lighthouse, you'll find that it's totally worth taking the time to come here for a look-see. At one time the lighthouse was on land, but now it's several hundred feet offshore; it's a piece of history, and totally worth seeing as picture of Charleston rich history. Picture the countless ships that were guided into the harbor over the years. Imagine the battles and the hurricanes that this landmark has weathered. This lighthouse is a symbol of survival and strength that you can almost feel when you're in the vicinity :-) On the downside, it isn't easy to find parking and you have to walk a ways after entering the park to get to the beach, but to me it was totally worth making the trek. Tip: Be sure to bring one dollar per person for beach admission.

This is a secluded beach way on the west end of the island. You have to walk about 1/4 mile from the parking area to get there. The beach is kind of dirty and there is a lot of graffiti. You do get a good view of the old lighthouse which used to be on land but is now surrounded by water.

Great for dolphin watching and relaxing! Don't forget your bug spray though, those sand gnats are no joke out here. We walked the graffiti road on Folly to get to the beach and that was also very fun.

This is my 500th Review!!! Do I make it long...short....in between...? Do I go witty, professional, charming or lay out the whole kitchen sink? So much pressure.. Ok deep breath. All calm, focus, mute Netflix and think long and hard how you want to formulate this milestone review. I think I wore myself out just prepping. I can do it. Get your head in the game Mark. Morris Island Lighthouse. To some it is the great escape. Just past Folly Beach and The Washout, is a piece of natural beachfront with a long rock formation, dead trees embedded into the sand, a metal foundation with Love spray painted and one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the Southeast. With a half a mile walk just to get to the spot, this place challenges its patrons. Why do people go through all the effort to see this? 1. Fishing 2. Sunsets and sunrises 3. Pondering life on the rocks 4. Engagement pictures 5. Intimate wedding spot 6. Quiet beach picnic 7. Photographers dream 8. Drone photographers dream There are many reasons people come to this quiet escape. For me, it is the natural wonder of the imagery all around. When the clouds linger over the lighthouse as the sun sets bringing an ominous blue to the sky, there aren't words. There are many favorite places in Charleston and even as the area evolves, this remains as one of them.

Beautiful peaceful spot worth the drive on a sunny day. If you are in the Charleston area check it out

I checked another item off my bucket list today. We caught the sunrise (in 40 degree weather) at Folly Beach and saw the morning gleam off the Morris Island Lighthouse. There are no words to describe how beautiful it was. To think that the same sun I saw christen the shore lines of Folly Beach this crisp early dawn is the same sun that had just left the European continent. I stood in awe of its beauty and took in how one, over looked, and taken-for-granted sunrise can put everything into focus. Society moves at such a fast pace that sometimes it's good to stop, remove yourself from the blur and to give thanks for the simple things like another day that the sun has risen to cast out the darkness one more time.

Has a wonderful asphalt walkway to the beach which has uplifting verses, as well as other statements that have been spray painted on it. Worth the walk.

Amazing stretch of beautiful unspoiled litter free beach. Take a left on Ashley as you enter the town of Folly. Drive all the way to Cul de Sac. There is paid parking $7.00) It's an all day flat rate! on the right near the cul de sac although I managed to secure street parking. Then I paid $1.00 park fee. It's honour system & headed to see the beach & lighthouse. Lots of people on bicycles. It's about a ten min stroll until you hit the hot hot sand. Worth it for that breathtaking view. Wow, quiet, serene picturesque place. No swimming allowed but I have to admit I did sit at the shore to cool off. Lots of locals fishing here. Make sure to check the Tides before you go. It needs to be low tide or you will not enjoy the full experience it had to offer plus of course you could get stranded, say you went for a beach stroll. Be very careful. Go, experience this amazing place.

Great walk to view the lighthouse. The beach had some driftwood and people were fishing off the beach. Not a place to swim but definitely to explore.

Every time I come to Folly Beach I walk the stretch of beach where the Morris Island Lighthouse Site is. It is a beautiful walk and at some points makes you feel like you are in a swampland. It's beautiful, secluded, peaceful, and out of the norm. My advice (Perfect Date Spot) - on a pretty day around 2pm I would head that way w/ a cooler full of drinks and food for a picnic and other things like towels. And remember don't litter! I promise you won't be disappointed. My trip today I saw a family of Dolphins swimming in a cove, super cool. They were within 25 feet of me and I was on land. The only thing to warn you about is if you walk out far on the island like I do, then make sure you get back to the normal side before the tide rises, otherwise you might find yourself stuck. Otherwise I hope you enjoy this lovely peaceful little private park like I do! Cheers & Enjoy!

You can parallel park right before the cul de sac. They do not allow dogs in there so you would have to leave your pets in the car. The walk to see the lighthouse is about 10 minutes. But that's just to SEE the lighthouse. On the pathway to the beach there were a lot of peace like graffiti on the pavement. From Hearts to the words like "I love you" and some structures with stairs. Once you reach the end you'll see the beach. You can just chill on the beach and on the rocks which is the best place to take pictures! The lighthouse was actually further than I thought so I didn't walk all the way up there. However from far away it didn't look as nice as the lighthouses on the outer banks. But it's still a nice view.

I've lived in Charleston for 7 years and never even knew about the place. One day we went to Folly Beach and drove all the way until you can't drive anymore. That's where this magnificent place is along with private walk way 1/2 mile to the beach. Yes, it's far but if you could bring bike or stroller for kids then it's really worth it when you get to the actual beachfronts!!!! Amazing scenery with Lighthouse in water and walkways on beach. Sunset is unforgettable!!! Truly a must see but bring your walking shoes!!!

Awesome spot at the west end of Folly Beach Island, very historic Morris Island light house, awesome spot for photography, it is a great private part of the beach with lots of natural dune space, the walk is a bit farther then you think and the soft sand at the end can wear you out if you are older and not in great shape so try to early in the mornings before it gets too hot!!! If you have every seen the Civil War movie "Glory" Morris Island was the last battle scene of that movie, this really is a historic spot and a must see when visiting Charleston and guess what, it's free!!!

Nice walk to the lighthouse (1/4 mile of paved and beach walking). Low tide is the best time to go, to really enjoy the beach and a longer walk. High tide can limit how much you're able to walk (and collect shells). Don't go during prime beach time as parking near the entrance is limited, but not a deterrent from going. I've been here a handful of times already and will continue to come visit. Great for photography as well.

One of SC oldest lighthouses at the end of Folly Beach with parking in designated spots don't block people's driveways. A decent walk to the see this old gem, I suggest morning while it is cool in the summer. It is an awesome spot to see dolphins up close. Folks also fish out here and collect sea shells as they differ a little from the main beach due to the rough currents. I've heard it's a better spot for finding sharks teeth but I didn't find any in my two trips. I suggest 45 mins to an hour or more depending how many pictures you will be taking. In my book it's a must see built in 1874 I believe with conservation projects designed on preserving it for future generations to see.

Get on Folly, make a left, and drive all the way til the road ends. Here you can either park on the side of the road or there is a small gravel (paid) lot. You can choose to go ahead and get on the beach and walk along the shore, or there is a paved walking path to get down to the lighthouse inlet. It's a decently long walk, and on a hot day you will definitely want to make sure you are wearing shoes and have a bottle of water! Along the walk there are what appears to be some abandoned structures/foundations of old buildings. I'm not sure exactly what they were, but they are not grafitti'd and very grown over with weeds and such. Pretty in its own way. At the end you will come out onto the beach and see Morris Island in the distance. The beach is beautiful and the view is incredible. Depending on the tide the distance you can walk will vary.

The other reviews capture the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve very well. If you start on the beach side path instead of the old paved road, and if you go all the way around to the end of Rat Island (no longer an island to itself) and then back, that's near enough 4 miles - and 4 miles of sand is not like 4 miles of paths or sidewalks. The trek is great for combing, walking, running, and cycling. Shells are plentiful, and you might find some great driftwood or odd debris. The swimming here is often dangerous, with powerful rip currents, but if you're strong, enjoy. The sense of space here is amazing for Charleston, particularly away from the beaten paths on Rat along the Inlet. Even on the busiest holiday these beaches are relatively wide open, and all other times, you might see 20 people or less, sometimes no one. This preserve has been my most frequented and best place to get away from it all, walk/run, and take photos. See you there :)

I love riding out to Morris Island on the boat! We normally cook out and hang out with friends. The beach is great to walk on and take the pups and family! Pretty shells to find and seeing the light house up close is so neat! Growing up in the low country I have always been fond of the surrounding light houses but now Morris Island Lighthouse is my favorite! This is where my fiance and I got engaged! Now I can walk that stretch of beach with even more love and fondness.

I wish you could camp out here. We parked where it seemed safe and walked out to the beach. We wish we could have gotten closer but oh well. Beautiful haunting scenery. Worth the walk. Park carefully or get a ticket I hear. Loved the silent beauty of the place.

We went to Folly 2 or 3 times before we learned about this gem! Drive all the way to the end of the island to the dead end. You can park on the grass for free or in a paid lot. There is a paved trail that takes you to the lighthouse inlet. The walk was fine for us, though small children or elderly people might have some difficulty in the heat. It's not shaded. But once you get to the end, boy is it worth it! The beach is very quiet, and we didn't encounter tons of people. There are huge rocks and a cool tree line. The view of the lighthouse was pretty neat. We had a lot of fun looking for shells. There are signs saying not to swim or wade, so I'd advise swimmers move down to the main section of the beach. But this quiet nook of beach was a gorgeous must-see!

Worth the drive to see. Oldest lighthouse in South Carolina. It's about 1/4 mile walk to get to the lookout point but there is a nice little portion of semi secluded beach to soak up some sun. No swimming in that area due to deadly currants but nice place to layout and enjoy the sounds of the ocean.

This is my favorite spot on Folly Beach. It's so secluded and basically private, depending on what time of day you visit. I'm a sucker for lighthouses, and this one doesn't disappoint. Seeing this part of the beach at sunset is seriously magical. If you're even in Folly for one day, make a point to check this guy out. You'll be glad you did!

A beautiful old lighthouse just offshore ... Makes a great subject for photography. You can also see the modern charleston light in the distance. The area around Morris island (the submerged island on which the lighthouse sits) is frequented by shrimp trawlers. Folly Beach has some weathered driftwood and dunes that also make for good photographic subjects. The walk from the end of the road is 1/4 mile on a wide paved asphalt road that doesn't allow motorized vehicles. If you ride your bike, mind the speed bumps-- they sneak up on you at first!!

Definitely worth the trip to the edge of Folly island. A picturesque setting on a more secluded beach. We visited in March, and there weren't many others on the beach. The views are amazing. Just a heads up for dog owners, pets are NOT allowed on this part of the island and there is no swimming or wading allowed. A great spot for spectacular views of a beautifully aged lighthouse!

Awesome views! Don't forget your camera with the big telescopic lens! I will definitely go back with my Nikon next time...maybe even an easel and some paints. :)

What a cool spot. Drive out to the end of E. Ashley Ave at Folly beach and then walk down a marked path a quarter of a mile to the beachfront to view Morris Island lighthouse across the water. You might meet an occasional person on the beach there which is dotted with a few stark weathered trees that make the beach even more unique and beautiful. The dolphins also like the area in front of the lighthouse. We saw quite a few swim through which makes for some great photos. The lighthouse is a lovely addition to the National Register of Historic places, but be prepared that it is not accessible by land.

Very pretty and worth the walk! You can appreciate the age and historical significance of the lighthouse when you see it in person.

Beautiful lighthouse off the coast of Folly Beach. It's a quarter of a mile walk from parking at the end of the street. Worth the walk and pretty private, at least when we went but that was also when tropical storm Ana's outer bands were looming overhead.