Hunting Island
Hunting Island State Park, 16 miles east of Beaufort, is South
Carolina's most visited state park
Named One of America’s Top Ten Beaches, Hunting Island State Park,
16 miles east of Beaufort, is South Carolina's most-visited state
park. The park features three miles of clean, safe beach along the
Atlantic Ocean; picnic tables and camp sites with an ocean view;
and an historic lighthouse -- built in 1873 – open to the public
that offers a bird's eye view of the pristine island and coastal
waters.
But there's more to the 5000 acre Hunting Island State Park than
its magnificent beaches. Miles of hiking trails meander through the
subtropical forest of palmettos, pine and moss-draped oak, and may
offer glimpses of the island’s abundant bird and wildlife
residents.
A traditional Lowcountry pier provides the perfect venue for
fishing and crabbing -- and it’s also a great spot to watch
dolphins do their own “fishing.” A long, ambling marsh walk reveals
secrets of the tidal marsh and presents an opportunity to watch
thousands of scurrying crabs. A large lagoon is the perfect staging
area for launching kayaks, and the Visitors Center and Nature
Center provide a wealth of information about the coastal
ecology.
An annual South Carolina Park Passport lets you access Hunting
Island State Park -- and dozens of other parks throughout the state
-- for a modest annual fee. The phone number for Hunting Island
State Park is 843-838-2011.
More details are available at the website of the
Friends of Hunting Island.
