Hunting Island State Park

Hunting Island State Park is a protected area on a barrier island in South Carolina covering around 5,000 acres. Sandy beaches follow the shoreline while inland, dense forest and a branching lagoon system shape the terrain.

The cast iron lighthouse structure was completed in 1859 and rebuilt after war damage in 1875. Coastal erosion forced authorities to relocate the entire structure farther inland in 1889.

The Nature Center brings visitors face-to-face with coastal wildlife and explains the habitats found along this barrier island. Programs change with the seasons and show how plant and animal life shifts throughout the year.

The park opens daily at six in the morning and closes at six in the evening, except during daylight saving months when it stays open until nine at night. Visitors find trails through the forest and can climb the lighthouse when it is open.

A hurricane in 2016 reshaped the shoreline completely, creating new beach sections while erasing others. Recovery work lasted several years and led to a partly redesigned park layout.

Location: Beaufort County

Inception: 1935

Website: https://southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island

GPS coordinates: 32.36640,-80.44440

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:24