South Carolina’s most visited state park seems to have it all. Situated just east of Beaufort and deep within the Ace Basin, Hunting Island offers so much to appreciate and enjoy. Amenities and adventures include RV and tent camping, a 19th century lighthouse, a nature center, a newly acquired island purchased from Ted Turner, five miles of pristine beach, a lagoon, and a salt marsh that’s simply perfect for taking a leisurely stroll for extraordinarily scenic views.
More than a million people visit this state park each year — even in 2017, when a good portion of the park was closed for a year following the damage from Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
TripAdvisor/Brooke P Yet, in spite of the scores of visitors, the park never feels crowded. Not including the addition of St. Phillips Island (which is accessible on a limited basis, for now), the park is comprised of 5,000 acres just waiting to be explored.
A network of trails leads visitors through myriad adventures in this island paradise. Trails lead through a maritime forest, past a long and meandering lagoon, over the sandy beach, and through a salt marsh (pictured here), to name a few.
Google Local/John Christian Abrahamson
The Marsh Boardwalk Trail begins on the southern end of the island and travels deep into the recesses of a salt marsh.
Google Local/Lisa D During the summer, treks through the marsh are often met with hoards of mosquitoes. But during the cooler months of late fall, winter, and very early spring, mosquito issues are rare. (Translation: take this hike in cooler weather!)
The Marsh Boardwalk Trail and The Marsh Boardwalk Crossover Trail combined offer more than a half mile of exploration.
TripAdvisor/Reiselust In terms of trail surface, visitors encounter a combination of wooden boardwalk and hard, crushed stone pathways. Taking the adventure at a leisurely pace, this hike should take under two hours.
Of course, few people walk at the rate of a half mile per hour!
Google Local/Penny Stewart So that two-hour estimate affords plenty of time to stop and gawk at the breathtaking scenery. If you have less time to spend, merely set your watch and turn around at the halfway point in the time you have allotted.
Expect to be treated to wildlife views, too!
Flickr/Russ At low tide, fiddler crabs emerge along the surface. Birds also fill the marsh with a flurry of activity perfect for making any hike or stroll even more enjoyable.
At the end of the trail, a platform over the water creates a lovely spot to stop and enjoy the sweet breeze from the ocean, only steps away.
Google Local/Kevin William
For even more adventure, take this trail at sunset!
Google Local/Sherri Graham
The Marsh Boardwalk Trail (and Connector Trail) is a wonderful way to explore a salt marsh along a marked and well-maintained path and boardwalk.
Google Maps It’s an adventure everyone in the family can enjoy, even the dog — as long as it’s leashed.
Hunting Island State Park has nine more trails to explore, too.
South Carolina State Parks Load up a backpack with all of the essentials and scoot on over to this unspoiled paradise along the South Carolina coast!
Hunting Island State Park is open year-round with closing hours that vary by season. The park opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. during cold weather months and 9 p.m. during warm weather months. Admission is $5/adults, $3.25/seniors, $3 youth ages 6-15, and free for those age 5 and under. Learn more from the park’s official website.
TripAdvisor/Brooke P
Yet, in spite of the scores of visitors, the park never feels crowded. Not including the addition of St. Phillips Island (which is accessible on a limited basis, for now), the park is comprised of 5,000 acres just waiting to be explored.
Google Local/John Christian Abrahamson
Google Local/Lisa D
During the summer, treks through the marsh are often met with hoards of mosquitoes. But during the cooler months of late fall, winter, and very early spring, mosquito issues are rare. (Translation: take this hike in cooler weather!)
TripAdvisor/Reiselust
In terms of trail surface, visitors encounter a combination of wooden boardwalk and hard, crushed stone pathways. Taking the adventure at a leisurely pace, this hike should take under two hours.
Google Local/Penny Stewart
So that two-hour estimate affords plenty of time to stop and gawk at the breathtaking scenery. If you have less time to spend, merely set your watch and turn around at the halfway point in the time you have allotted.
Flickr/Russ
At low tide, fiddler crabs emerge along the surface. Birds also fill the marsh with a flurry of activity perfect for making any hike or stroll even more enjoyable.
Google Local/Kevin William
Google Local/Sherri Graham
Google Maps
It’s an adventure everyone in the family can enjoy, even the dog — as long as it’s leashed.
South Carolina State Parks
Load up a backpack with all of the essentials and scoot on over to this unspoiled paradise along the South Carolina coast!
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Address: 2555 Sea Island Pkwy, St Helena Island, SC 29920, USA
