John B.
Yelp
The large section of the island cordoned off as a private community is open to visitors for a $9 charge, which was not as apparent as I would have liked (really, I just turned down this road because the nearby traffic circle was backed up). Paying that fee entitles you to visit some shopping centers and things, but not the beaches. The trails here, however, are reasonably well-maintained, save for some weathered informational plaques, and give you a nice sense of atmosphere. Bug spray is advised.
Listening to the birds is a large part of the experience. A couple of boardwalks through a swamp and a rice field make this a relatively easy journey for anyone who can walk in South Carolina weather. There is a stop on the entrance road to walk into the area, or you can drive around and take your car well into it. I didn't really see a ton of advantage having done the latter, given that walking into the area is the entire point anyway.
While I'm not a fan of exclusive island communities, it's at least to their credit that they keep a good part of it in this natural state, and that it's available for visitation, as not all island communities in the region can say that.