Attracting more than one million visitors a year, Hunting Island State Park in the Beaufort area of South Carolina is, by far, the most popular in the state. South Carolina’s first European settlers placed their roots here and this semi-tropical barrier island is now a 5,000 acre park.

Hunting Island is home to abundant wildlife including loggerhead turtles, herons, egrets, deer, sea horses, and barracuda. The park also hosts the only lighthouse in South Carolina that visitors are able to climb. The view from the top is amazing; a beautiful sight of the ocean and acres of marshland can be seen. Numerous spots are superb for fishing, including the pier, located at the south end of the island.

The park has many facilities for anyone to enjoy. Camping grounds are available for RVs, tents, or group campers and the beach is easily accessible from these areas. The Hunting Island’s Visitor Center is located in the central portion of the park and offers information on the vicinity and is also connected with the trails. Hikers or bikers can travel one of the many trails and take pleasure in the views of the large, sand-dredged lagoon or the stunning maritime forest.

Lucky sightseers can witness the loggerhead turtle hatchlings scampering to the ocean during late summer or early fall. The turtles are rigorously protected, so touching or disturbing them, or their eggs, are prohibited. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone, especially children, wanting to experience a very infrequent occurrence.

Hunting Island State Park is the perfect, family-friendly place to enjoy true beauty and a natural coastal setting.

Article by Paige Johnson