Stamp: 10: Hunting Island State Park

Stamp# 10

Hunting Island Lighthouse

Hunting Island State Park is our second park visit today on Day 2 of our road trip in our journey to becoming #UltimateOutsiders by visiting all 47 SC state parks. Hunting Island is just across the estuary from Edisto Beach, but since there is no bridge across, and there's just one main road into Edisto and just one main road into Hunting Island, we had to drive back 40 miles NW out of Edisto and then 40 miles back SE into Hunting Island. The 1.5 hour drive was a nice rest from our nature trail & beach walk, and our snake encounter in Edisto!

We made it to the top!

Marty and I have visited Hunting Island Sate Park before, maybe 2 years ago. One of my favorite parts of this state park is the historic lighthouse. It was rebuilt in 1875 after the original lighthouse was destroyed during the Civil War. It was moved inland 1.3 miles in 1889 after severe beach erosion occurred. For an additional $3 fee, visitors can climb 175 steps to the observation deck for panoramic views of the beach and park. Be sure to bring plenty of water for this strenuous climb to the top of the lighthouse. But the views are worth it!

Beach erosion

Another favorite feature of this park is the 5 miles of beach along the Atlantic ocean.  A few campsites are available within view of the beach. At the time of our visit, bulldozers were busy with construction around those campsites and the oceanfront campground restroom was closed for repairs. Campers were on site, but it didn't seem to be a very peaceful place to camp today! Along a section of the beach between the lighthouse and campsites is a forest of trees damaged by beach erosion. The bleached, downed trees are a sad reminder of the harsh realities of hurricanes and other storms along the coastline.

We walked along the beach and enjoyed the beautiful, sunny weather, watched a family fly a kite and a man fishing in the ocean, and took a few pictures among the beached trees. It was a peaceful afternoon.

Hunting Island State Park is a beautiful park with lots to see and do. I'd love to camp here one day  (when I get a camper & after they finish construction!).

One of the beach accesses

Rating: *****
Entrance fee: $5 each
Restrooms: clean, oceanfront restroom in campground closed for repairs
Parking: plentiful
Rangers: available
Trails: marsh boardwalk , nature trails, 5 miles of beach

Park stamp!

Amenities: camping, group camping area, education center, picnic shelters, Lighthouse, gift shop, playground, beach volleyball court 
Park Stamp: See park ranger in visitor's center (best stamp yet!)