Hunting Island

Explore Nature at its Best

Hunting Island, just 10 minutes from Fripp, offers a day of exploring and is one of South Carolina's most popular state parks.  With 5 miles of beaches, a salt water lagoon and thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, you'll enjoy all that nature has to offer.  The island is also home to the only publicly accessible lighthouse in the state.  Hunting Island Lighthouse is a must see on your visit, offering beautiful views of the barrier island and surrounding seascape.  And don't miss a visit to the Nature Center.  You'll find live animals and exhibits as well as special programs throughout the year. Check out Local Fun for more off-island adventures while enjoying your Fripp Island Vacation.

Share your love of #huntingislandstatepark
A Sanderling prepares to snack on one of hundreds of dead jellyfish on the beach at Hunting Island Beach State Park near Beaufort, SC.

#bird #shorebird #sanderling #wildlife #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #lowcountrysc #huntingisland #huntingislandsc #huntingislandbeachstatepark #palmettostate #canon #canonphotography #canonphoto #canonr7 #canonr7photography
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#huntingislandsc#lowcountryphotography
On my easel today - daily practice painting-resting- 18x12 Pastel Premier Buff Watercolor underpainting- soft pastels - Russ Point Landing …#coastalartist #huntingislandstatepark #softpastels#pasteljournalmagazine #fineartconnoisseurmagazine #pleinairmag #aapl_nyc #pastelartists #southcarolinaartist #marshes#skies#arte#lesamisdesartistes #visualart
Palm Trees and 90 degrees 🌴
#huntingislandsc #huntingislandstatepark #beach #tangerine #love #instagood #model #weekendvibes #brunette #modeling #savannahga #tan #southcarolina
Jasper’s very first time on a beach! He ran toward the water but as soon as he realized he couldn’t drink it he turned away and just enjoyed exploring the sand.
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Vacation at home...
#southcarolina #livingatthebeach #eastcoast #huntingislandsc #stockintheusa #beachlife #picoftheday #livinginthesouth #sunnyday
A little yellow cupcake (officially known as a Pine Warbler) peeped at me from a Pine tree last October when we were exploring Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina. Nothing like a little bit of warbler sunshine to break up the winter blues. ☀️😎
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#huntingislandstatepark #southcarolinaliving #audubon_sc #warblercrazy #your_best_birds #eye_spy_birds #bestbirdshots #nuts_about_birds #feather_perfection #kings_birds #bird_brilliance #bb_of_ig #best_birds_planet #birds_captures #ip_birds #BIRDS_iLLife #audubonsociety #planetbirds #thebirdingsquad #bird_features #nature_worldwide_birds #birdfreaks #best_birds_of_world #raw_birds #1birdshot #nature_spotlight #rebels_nature #best_birds_photography #birdphotoshow #nt_natures_treasure
Rebuilt in 1875, the Hunting Island State Park lighthouse is the only lighthouse in South Carolina that is open to the public! Can anyone guess how tall the lighthouse is?
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📸 Sydney Baker 
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#lighthouse #southcarolina #huntingislandstatepark #palmettostate #lowcountrylife
The vigil hosted by Hunting Island’s ghost trees is happily magical in the morning hours of a beach sunrise. I am perfectly curious how sinister they appear when storm-time approaches.

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#beach

Download a trail map for Hunting Island.

Hunting Island Lighthouse

NOTICE:  As of February 2022, the Hunting Island Lighthouse is closed for repairs. The grounds will remain open but visitors cannot climb to the top.

Climb to the top (167 steps) of Hunting Island Lighthouse for fantastic views of the barrier island and surrounding waters of the Atlantic.

Make your reservation 24 hours in advance by calling 843-838-4868 during office hours - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Mon -Fri, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Sat - Sun.  Reservations may be made the same day at the park, if space is available.


The lighthouse was closed for repairs in May 2003 when cracks were discovered in several of its cast-iron steps. In a renovation that spanned more than 18 months, construction crews not only repaired the cracks, but installed steel braces beneath them for reinforcement. Left unpainted, the silver-gray braces stand out in sharp contrast to the black cast-iron stairs. The contrast helps distinguish between the original structure and modern improvements, which protect the lighthouse’s historic integrity.

The original structure was built in 1859 and rebuilt in 1875 after it was destroyed during the Civil War. A unique feature of the lighthouse is that it was constructed of interchangeable cast-iron sections so it could be dismantled should it ever need to be moved. Severe beach erosion made it necessary to relocate the lighthouse 1.3 miles inland in 1889. (Source: South Carolina State Parks)

#huntingislandlighthouse
I’m not sure whether this Laughing Gull was playing with or struggling to eat this crab. Regardless, this little episode was quite comical and finally resulted in the gull eating the crab whole.

4.17.2025

#bird #gull #laughinggull #wildlife #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #lowcountrysc #huntingisland #huntingislandsc #huntingislandbeachstatepark #palmettostate #canon #canonphotography #canonphoto #canonr7 #canonr7photography
A Sanderling prepares to snack on one of hundreds of dead jellyfish on the beach at Hunting Island Beach State Park near Beaufort, SC.

#bird #shorebird #sanderling #wildlife #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #lowcountrysc #huntingisland #huntingislandsc #huntingislandbeachstatepark #palmettostate #canon #canonphotography #canonphoto #canonr7 #canonr7photography
The Dunlin is one of a plethora of shorebirds that can be found at different times throughout the year along the coast of the Carolinas. This little guy was part of a much larger flock and awoke and stared at me cautiously as I got closer. Seen on the beach of Hunting Island near Beaufort, SC.

4.17.2025

#bird #shorebirds #dunlin #wildlife #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #lowcountrysc #huntingisland #huntingislandsc #huntingislandbeachstatepark #palmettostate #canon #canonphotography #canonphoto #canonr7 #canonr7photography
A Forster’s Tern circles the bay separating Hunting Island and Fripp Island searching for a meal.

#bird #tern #forsterstern #wildlife #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #lowcountrysc #huntingisland #huntingislandsc #huntingislandbeachstatepark #palmettostate #canon #canonphotography #canonphoto #canonr7 #canonr7photography
A Forster’s Tern basks in beautiful morning sunshine on the fishing pier at Hunting Island Beach State Park.

4.17.2025

#bird #tern #forsterstern #wildlife #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #lowcountrysc #huntingisland #huntingislandsc #huntingislandbeachstatepark #palmettostate #canon #canonphotography #canonphoto #canonr7 #canonr7photography
They traded traditions for truth.🌅💬

Michael & Vicki chose Hunting Island to remind themselves—love doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. 🔥

🌟 Craving a wedding that breaks the mold?

Let’s co-create a day that feels like you. Message us to inquire about your own special day.🫶📸

#DarlaDivinePhotography #BoldLoveStories #BeachElopementGoals #HuntingIslandSC #GeorgiaPhotographer #UntraditionalWeddings
Drawing demonstration in front of SCAD  #savannahcollegeartanddesign #art #lighthousesrt #beaufortartist #huntingislandlighthouse
Sharp shadows on the boneyard beach

#huntingislandsc #southcarolina #boneyardbeach #blackandwhitephoto #blackandwhite #treephotography #beach #huntingislandstatepark
#huntingislandsc #huntingislandstatepark

Boneyard Beach

Head to the south end of Hunting Island for an amazing visit to Little Hunting Island Boneyard Beach.  Decades of wave action and changing shoreline have creating a beautiful display of "driftwood"  Live oak trees and palmettos are scattered on the beach; it's an amazing sight!  

Access the beach from the Nature Center Scenic Trail, a .7 mile walk through the maritime forest.  Be sure and bring your camera!

Nature Center

Explore and learn at the Hunting Island Nature Center.  With programs and exhibits available year 'round (varies by season), this is a great way to see animals up close and learn more about the natural habitants found on the island.  Call for current programs 843-838-7437.

Hiking

Hike through Hunting Island and discover the amazing terrain and wildlife found on this beautiful barrier island.

Twelve Easy and Moderate trails offer varying sites and discoveries through the maritime forest, around lagoons and over the salt marsh.  Among the island's wildlife, look for alligators and deer as well as owls, hawks, egrets and other wading birds.  Don't forget your camera!

Fishing

Enjoy a great day of fishing in Johnson Creek, the lagoon or surf fishing.  You will also find great fishing from the newly refurbished pier at the south end of Hunting Island. (Pets are not allowed on the pier.)

Look for redfish, trout and flounder!

Bring your own gear or find bait and fishing equipment at the park store, which is located in the camp ground.  This park also participates in the Tackle Loaner Program.  Sponsored by the SC Dept. of Natural Resources, rods and reels are available for loan at the Nature Center. Learn more.

A valid SC Saltwater fishing license is required to fish anywhere on the park except at the fishing pier.  Hunting Island has purchased a commercial license that covers all pier users.