With a Lighthouse, Camping, And Boardwalk Trails, Hunting Island State Park In South Carolina Truly Has It All

South Carolina is home to remarkable state parks with amenities that include stunning beaches, mountaintop overlooks, cabins, secluded islands, and more. But the state park that reigns supreme as the fan favorite among visitors is Hunting Island State Park. Among other features, the park is home to a 19th-century lighthouse visitors can climb to the top for unending 360-degree views. A campground, 8 miles of trails, a nature center, and more round out the many reasons to put Hunting Island on the bucket list for repeat adventures.

Like the ever-flexible and bending palmetto trees that line the beachfront on Hunting Island, the state park has survived (although not unscathed by any means) hurricane after hurricane over the past 80-plus years since the park first opened.

On more than one occasion in recent years, a storm has passed through wreaking enough havoc to temporarily close the park. But it always bounces back. After just one visit here, it's easy to see why Hunting Island State Park is the most visited park in the system.

With 4-plus miles of pristine beachfront, Hunting Island's beach is one of the best in the state. And in spite of this being the most traveled park, you never really get a sense of being swamped by other visitors.

The 5,000-acre island and park features some outstanding amenities including a loop trail around the island that traverses a maritime forest.

Still, another trail features a boardwalk over marshy territory and past a gorgeous lagoon. Imagine the ocean breezes and salty air as you wander around this unspoiled slice of paradise located just 17 miles east of Beaufort.

In addition to the reasons to visit Hunting Island for a day trip, there's also a campground carved into a palm tree forest next to the beach on the north end of the island.

A total of 100 campsites are available for affordable nightly rates; each includes water and electric hookups and can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long. For those who prefer cabin camping, the state park has one two-bedroom cabin located near the lighthouse.

It's hard to compete with a pristine beach, boardwalk trails, and a beachside campground, but the Hunting Island Lighthouse is a main attraction for most visitors to the park. It was first lit in 1875 and had a lamp that could be seen for 17 miles. It was decommissioned in 1933 and is now a beloved historical landmark. The 136-foot tower is constructed mostly of bricks and has an outer shell of cast iron sections that each weigh approximately 1,200 pounds.

Currently, you can only view the Hunting Island Lighthouse from the outside as climbing is closed until repairs can be made. But you can get out on the water via a ferry ride with a naturalist-led tour to neighboring St. Phillips Island.

Hunting Island State Park is open year-round and also features a pier, a campground store, and a nature center. Day use hours for Hunting Island State Park are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during winter and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children age 6 to 15, with children 5 and under being free.