Hunting Island State Park: Offers a day of adventure for families

Our magical day at Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina is still one of my most memorable days on the cross-country RV trip. This park is a must-see for any family traveling to the Southeast.

We were making our first trip to South Carolina’s most popular state park. I didn’t really know much about the place until we arrived. This park was discovered by chance when we were in Beaufort. We are so glad that we found it! It was December, when there are fewer people and the temperatures are lower, but it was beautiful and clear, making it a great day to explore.

This guide will give you all the information you need about Hunting Island State Park. You can then plan your own Hunting Island State Park trip with your family!

THE STATS – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HUNTING ISLAND STATE PARK

It receives more than a million people each year. You can also climb the lighthouse in Hunting Island State Park, which is the only state park in South Carolina. It feels very jungle-like and has a surprising amount of shade. This park is ideal for bird watching, nature walks and biking. This park is a popular choice.

Hunting Island State Park LOCATION 

It is located on one of the barrier islands in SC. It is located approximately 30 minutes from downtown Beaufort.

PRICES AND FEES

To enter the park, there is an entrance fee. Pay at the gate when you arrive. When we visited, the fees were $5 for adults and $3 to children aged 6-15. Children under 5 years old are free! Additional $2 per person is required for lighthouse admission. This fee can be paid at the lighthouse entrance.

HOURS

Each day, the park is open between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. For a stunning east coast sunrise, get there early.

THE THINGS YOU SHOULD DO AT HUNTING ISLAND STATE PARK

Island State offers many family-friendly activities. It’s possible to spend the whole day here, and still have fun. You can also stay over at the campground overnight for even more hours of entertainment.

NATURE TRAILS

Hunting Island’s trails were one of my favourite things. They vary in difficulty and some are paved. Some trails have a climb, which is a rare feature on the flat Atlantic coast. We walked portions of the Maritime Forest Trail as well as the Lagoon Access Trail. We recommend taking your bike out to the beach if you are more of a biker and less of a hiker. You can ride your bike from the southern tip to the northern tip of the island if the tides are low. It was our first experience riding bikes on the beaches as a family.

BEACHCOMBING

We stopped frequently to inspect items washed up by the tide as we rode our bikes along the shoreline. We discovered jellies, tons of horseshoe crabshells, and many other items washed up in the tide. You can also find interesting driftwood and rock formations, and many seabirds to observe.

Hunting Island State Park LIGHTHOUSE

Hunting Island’s lighthouse was our daughter’s favorite spot. You can climb the 167 steps up to the top for $2 and get a stunning 360-degree view. It was her first climb to a lighthouse, and she loved it.

Hunting Island State Park EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS

While you wait to climb the lighthouse’s tower, make sure to visit the nearby educational displays. Learn about other lighthouses in the area and about the lives of lighthouse keepers.

NATURE CENTER

Park is a wonderful place to find a great nature center. The nature center can be found at the south end of Hunting Island State Park, near the pier. Visit the nature center to view interpretive displays and live animals such as turtles, fish, snakes, and more. Although we did not visit when there was a ranger program, you can check their schedule on their website. It would be great to see one while you’re at the park.

 PICNICKING

Hunting Island is a great place to enjoy a quiet picnic. Many picnic tables are scattered along the shoreline, near the lighthouse. Most of them have shade. It was so relaxing to eat the lunch we brought from home and enjoy the beautiful view of the lighthouse. It was so relaxing!

THE MARSH BOARDWALK

The Marsh Boardwalk is a must-see on your first Hunting Island State Park visit. It can be reached via the hiking trails, or from a parking lot located west of Hwy. 21. Turn left from the main parking lot onto Hwy. 21. The parking lot for the boardwalk is located to your right. Although it is a short walk (about.25 miles), this trail offers beautiful views of the sunset over the western horizon and allows you to spot wading birds and seabirds.

SUP & KAYAKING

Hunting Island State Park doesn’t offer rentals. However, if you have a stand-up paddleboard or kayak, bring it along! A two-mile lagoon is available for family paddles in the park. The lagoon water is calmer than the Atlantic, so children can easily paddle in it. Parking is available at the South Beach near the lagoon.

We didn’t have our Intex kayaks when we visited Hunting Island. We purchased the two-person Explorer inflatable kayaks and one-person Challenger inflatable boats a few months later. They are great for families that want to save money and get out on the water to explore. We have found that the single-person is easier to use in the water, and it is easier to inflate/deflate. Both are available on Amazon!