Hunting Island State Park – The Ultimate Guide on Things To Do + Camping Tips

PLANNING A VISIT TO HUNTING ISLAND STATE PARK?

We’ve got all the details you need! We have been traveling together since 2010 and love visiting the state and national parks throughout the country. We visited Hunting Island State Park during a road trip through South Carolina and really enjoyed the uncrowded, beautiful beaches and hiking trails. Not to mention the stunning wildlife too!

Hunting Island State Park is a barrier island just outside Beaufort, South Carolina. The park attracts over a million visitors a year and was even named one of America’s Top Ten Beaches by TripAdvisor.

It is a quiet island with limited amenities, so it is best to be prepared for your camping or day trip. There are not any restaurants or grocery stores on the island. It is best to bring in your own food, drinks, and beach gear.

The Hunting Island State Park Lighthouse Gift Shop does have a few items for sale like insect repellent, sunscreen, snacks, and drinks if you forget something.

The closest place to get food and supplies is in Beaufort. Beaufort is about 30 minutes from Hunting Island.

Things to See in Hunting Island State Park

Visit the Hunting Island Nature Center and Visitor Center

The Nature Center at Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina is a small but very educational stop. It explores nature on the barrier island. There are live animals and exhibits explaining the diverse habitats found in the park.

There are also daily public educational programs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and there are several other programs offered like skills-based programs and kayaking trips in the tidal lagoon.

If you’d like to learn more about the area and habitat, check out the Visitor Center. There are additional interactive exhibits and a theater. The Visitor Center also has a nice outdoor deck for viewing nature and wildlife.

Go For a Stroll on the Hunting Island Marsh Boardwalk

The boardwalk extends across the marsh tidal flats of Hunting Island State Park SC to a small hummock and nature viewing platform. You can find the boardwalk on the west side of the park on Highway 21. There are self-explanatory signs to find the boardwalk.

If you are a movie buff, you’ll be happy to know the Vietnam War scenes for the movie Forrest Gump were filmed near the boardwalk and in the acres of marsh nearby.

It is a beautiful place to explore the marsh and be on the lookout for all sorts of birds and lots of crabs. Rowen and Raven loved chasing them across the boards and watching them scurry down in the mud. We also saw some neat fish jumping in the water from the viewing platform at the end of the trail.

The Marsh Boardwalk Trail is 0.25 miles long.

Fish From the Hunting Island Fishing Pier

The fishing pier is right next to the Nature Center. It is a fun place to let the kids run around and take in the beautiful views. The fishing pier is open 24 hours a day.

If you want to fish on the pier you do not need to have a fishing license. However, if you want to fish anywhere else in the park you will need to have an SC saltwater fishing license. You can buy your fishing license online.

Bait and fishing equipment are sold at the park store in the campground.

Probe the Hunting Island State Park Beach

We had a great time playing on the beach at Hunting Island State Park in SC. We spent most of our time on the beach near the campground but checked out the beach by the lighthouse as well.

There are very cool shells on the beach at low tide. It is very family-friendly with miles of beach to explore.

At low tide, there were some small bodies of water the kids loved playing in and searching for crabs. They made a whole collection in a sand bucket. They also got to pet a baby shark caught by a fisherman.

Whether you’re headed out to the island for a day or a camping trip, you will have a wonderful time on Hunting Island. We enjoyed walks on the beach at sunset, campfires by the motorhome, and Boogey boarding on the endless waves.

Hunting Island is a great beach for swimming.

Visit the Hunting Island State Park Lighthouse

The Hunting Island Lighthouse is the only publicly accessed lighthouse in South Carolina. There are 167 steps to the top where the views are magnificent. There is a $2 admission charge and kids must be 44” tall to climb the historic lighthouse.

If you are always looking for more lighthouses to visit, consider a vacation to the Outer Banks. The barrier islands are filled with lighthouses and beautiful beaches.

Explore the various Hunting Island Nature Trails

There are so many great kid-friendly nature trails in the park. Most of the trails are really easy but there are a few options if you’re looking for a more challenging hike. We went on the Lagoon Trail and Maritime Forest Trail.

The Lagoon Trail winds around the lagoon and through the maritime forest.

The Maritime Forest Trail will take you through the heart of the maritime forest with lots of opportunities to see wildlife. If you’re planning on exploring the miles of trails, bring some bug spray.

Here is a brief overview of the Hunting Island trails –

Breach Trail – .2 miles (Easy)
Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail – 1.9 miles (Strenuous)
Lagoon Trail – 1.4 miles (Easy)
Little Hunting Island Loop Trail – .5 miles (Easy)
Magnolia Forest Trail – 1.2 miles (Easy)
Maritime Forest Trail – 2 miles (Easy)
Nature Center Scenic Trail – 0.7 miles (Easy)
Palmetto Pass Trail – 0.2 miles (Easy)
Pine Pass Trail – 0.2 miles (Easy)
Pond Overlook Trail – 0.6 miles (Moderate)

Enjoy the Hunting Island saltwater Lagoon

The Hunting Island Lagoon is a quieter part of the island and is a great place to enjoy water views without ocean surf. It is a perfect place for photography, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and enjoying nature.

There is also lots of wildlife in the area if you want to photograph them. It is home to hundreds of birds, raccoons, deer, blue herons, and more.

Tip: As you enter the park you will drive through a beautiful sub-tropical maritime forest for about five minutes. Soak this up because it is one of the prettiest areas of the park.

Where to Stay at Hunting Island State Park

Hunting Island State Park Campground

Hunting Island State Park camping is available at the north end of the park right on the beach. There are both RV and tent Hunting Island State Park campsites available. The 102 RV sites have electricity and water available.

There is a dump station on-site as well as a playground and restroom facilities. We did find ticks at the park so keep an eye out.

We found the campground to be in a great spot. From our campsite, we had about a two-minute walk to the beach and saw multiple deer. It had flooded a few days before we arrived leaving standing water throughout the campground.

The Hunting Island State Park camping rates vary by season and demand. You can check rates and make reservations online. The park recommends making reservations a few months in advance.

If you’re interested in getting an RV be sure to check out our beginner’s guide. We have loved our time together as a family traveling in our motorhome.
Keep Reading: RV Information for Beginners – Our FAQs

Hunting Island State Park Cabins

The park has one cabin that is for rent. It is near the lighthouse and just steps away from the beach – talk about dreamy! The cabin has a minimum stay of two nights with some dates having a longer minimum.

The cabin does book out well in advance so if you are wanting to stay in the cabin, you will need to plan ahead. At the time of writing this article, the cabin was booked out 9 months in advance. The cost per night was around $280.

Hunting Island Hotels

There are not any hotels in Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina. There are a few options on Fripp Island as well as Harbor Island. Beaufort is also not too far of a drive and there are lots of options there as well.

Hunting Island State Park Hours and Fees

Park Hours: 6 AM – 6 PM (Extended to 9 PM during Daylight Savings Time)
Park Fees:
Adults $8
SC Seniors $5
Youth 6-15 $4
Ages 5 and younger – Free

Hunting Island State Park Phone Number: 1-866-345-7275

Wifi is available at the Nature Center, Visitor Center, Lighthouse Gift Shop, the park store in the campground as well as throughout the campground.

Pets in Hunting Island State Park

Pets are not allowed in the cabin or cabin area, on the pier, inside the lighthouse area, or on the tip of North Beach. Dogs are allowed in most other outdoor places if they are on a leash.

Accessibility

There are wheelchairs available to use free of charge at the park store. The Hunting Island State Park beach has easy access by wheelchair from the parking lot.

Conclusion: Hunting Island State Park

I hope you have found this guide helpful in planning your visit to Hunting Island State Park. It is such a fun island and we loved our time there.

If you have the resources to camp there, we highly recommend it. It’s so great to be steps away from the beach and enjoy the quiet island life for a couple of days.

Have you been to Hunting Island State Park in SC? What were your favorite parts about visiting? Let us know in the comments below!

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