If you’ve ever driven out to Hilton Head Island, then you’ve passed the entrance to the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. This 4,053-acre oasis is located between Hilton Head and the mainland on an isolated island that includes an almost completely unknown beach in South Carolina. If you’ve ever wanted to have an entire beach (almost) to yourself, you’ll find it here.

Park your car in the parking area at the entrance to the wildlife refuge and either continue on by way of the foot - or bring your bike.
AllTrails
Exploring Pinckney Island is a fun experience, especially outside of the summer months when mosquitos make it difficult to enjoy the day.
Google/Marc Shoemaker
For the best first-trip impression, go in the winter when the skeeters are almost non-existent.
The trail from the parking area to sandy Mackay Creek Beach is 3.9 miles each way and travels over a variety of mostly flat terrain.
AllTrails/Victor DiAngelo

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You'll traverse dirt roadways, skinny paths, oyster shells, and gravel en route to your serene paradise at the end of the trail.
AllTrails/Jackie McCall
The total one-way elevation change is only 27 feet so the real work here is simply the stamina you'll need to stick with it for nearly four miles each way.
But you should be able to hike this trail (one way) in under two hours.
AllTrails/Gaetano Dragone
Stick with cooler months and be sure to bring water to stay hydrated.
Feel like swimming? Hey, some of these South Carolina winter days are so warm that swimming isn't entirely out of the question... is it?
AllTrails/Gaetano Dragone
You'll be hard-pressed to find another beach as secluded as Mackay Creek Beach found at the end of Pinckney Island WMA.

Are you ready to go check out this (almost) unknown beach in South Carolina in person? Get more deets about the hike by visiting our friends over at AllTrails.com! (Consider downloading their app for an even better hiking experience.)

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Learn more about the refuge with a visit to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

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Featured Addresses
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926, USA