LVL 2 — Easy Going
Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort County, SC

Hunting Island State Park Guide

Various (beach walk, lighthouse climb, nature trail)
Half day to full day
South Carolina’s most visited state park. A 5,000-acre barrier island with a working lighthouse you can climb, miles of undeveloped beach, and a maritime forest that feels genuinely wild.

Hunting Island State Park is the most visited state park in South Carolina, and it earns that distinction. The island is a 5,000-acre barrier island with 5 miles of undeveloped Atlantic beach, a 132-foot lighthouse you can climb for panoramic views, a saltwater lagoon, and a maritime forest threaded with nature trails.

The lighthouse is the only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina. The 167-step climb to the top delivers views of the Atlantic, the salt marsh, and the Sea Islands that stretch to the horizon.

Tips from the field

  • The lighthouse is open for climbing Thursday through Monday. Arrive early as timed tickets sell out.
  • The north beach is eroding rapidly. The ghost forest of dead trees in the surf is dramatic and worth seeing.
  • The park campground is one of the best in the state system. Book well in advance.
  • Loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beach from May through August.

At a Glance

Where: Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort County, SC
Surface: Paved paths, packed sand beach, boardwalk to beach
Parking: Multiple paved parking areas throughout park
Shade: Full shade in maritime forest, exposed beach
Restrooms: Flush restrooms at multiple locations throughout park

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible (beach boardwalk)
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Camping Available

Nearby

  • Beaufort (15 min)
  • Fripp Island
  • Harbor Island