South Carolina’s most visited state park seems to have it all. Situated just east of Beaufort and deep within the Ace Basin, Hunting Island offers so much to appreciate and enjoy. Amenities and adventures include RV and tent camping, a 19th century lighthouse, a nature center, a newly acquired island purchased from Ted Turner, five miles of pristine beach, a lagoon, and a salt marsh that’s simply perfect for taking a leisurely stroll for extraordinarily scenic views.
More than a million people visit this state park each year — even in 2017, when a good portion of the park was closed for a year following the damage from Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
Yet, in spite of the scores of visitors, the park never feels crowded. Not including the addition of St. Phillips Island (which is accessible on a limited basis, for now), the park is comprised of 5,000 acres just waiting to be explored.
A network of trails leads visitors through myriad adventures in this island paradise. Trails lead through a maritime forest, past a long and meandering lagoon, over the sandy beach, and through a salt marsh (pictured here), to name a few.
During the summer, treks through the marsh are often met with hoards of mosquitoes. But during the cooler months of late fall, winter, and very early spring, mosquito issues are rare. (Translation: take this hike in cooler weather!)
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The Marsh Boardwalk Trail and The Marsh Boardwalk Crossover Trail combined offer more than a half mile of exploration.
In terms of trail surface, visitors encounter a combination of wooden boardwalk and hard, crushed stone pathways. Taking the adventure at a leisurely pace, this hike should take under two hours.
Of course, few people walk at the rate of a half mile per hour!
So that two-hour estimate affords plenty of time to stop and gawk at the breathtaking scenery. If you have less time to spend, merely set your watch and turn around at the halfway point in the time you have allotted.
At low tide, fiddler crabs emerge along the surface. Birds also fill the marsh with a flurry of activity perfect for making any hike or stroll even more enjoyable.
At the end of the trail, a platform over the water creates a lovely spot to stop and enjoy the sweet breeze from the ocean, only steps away.
Load up a backpack with all of the essentials and scoot on over to this unspoiled paradise along the South Carolina coast!
Hunting Island State Park is open year-round with closing hours that vary by season. The park opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. during cold weather months and 9 p.m. during warm weather months. Admission is $5/adults, $3.25/seniors, $3 youth ages 6-15, and free for those age 5 and under. Learn more from the park’s official website.
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